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Female Medical Research Scientist / Neurologist Working on a Personal Computer in Modern Laboratory. Making New Discoveries in the fields of Neurophysiology, Science, Neuropharmacology. Understanding Human Brain.

Why choose Geisinger for neurophysiology?

When you want answers about neurological symptoms, precise testing guides your next step. A well-credentialed group of technologists and physicians performs your testing, and because the accuracy of an EMG or EEG depends on who reads it, a fellowship-trained physician interprets every result. 

For epilepsy, Geisinger holds Level 4 Epilepsy Center designation from the National Association of Epilepsy Centers, the highest level, with the full range of advanced treatments when medication isn't enough.

For nerve and muscle conditions, the neuromuscular (EMG) lab is accredited by the American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, the national standard for testing that pinpoints the cause of weakness, numbness and nerve pain.

And you can get those answers close to home.

Conditions we evaluate

Related specialties

FAQs

What does a neurophysiology lab do?

Neurophysiology studies how the brain, nerves and muscles function. Testing at the lab helps diagnose and monitor a range of neurological conditions, from seizures and nerve damage to muscle disorders.

What’s an electroencephalogram (EEG) test for?

An EEG is a painless test, lasting 20 to 120 minutes, that measures the brain's electrical activity while you're awake and asleep, using small sensors placed on the scalp. It helps diagnose epilepsy, evaluate seizures and assess changes in brain function, including those related to dementia.

What’s video long-term monitoring for epilepsy?

Video long-term monitoring is a planned hospital stay in the private rooms of the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU), where brain activity is recorded continuously by EEG and aligned with video, usually over several days. In some cases, seizure medications can be lowered under close supervision by specially trained nurses, so seizures are more likely to occur and can be captured. Tailored to each patient, it answers questions a routine EEG can't: confirming whether events are epileptic seizures or something else, locating where seizures begin, or guiding treatment — which for selected patients includes evaluating whether surgery could help.

What’s an ambulatory EEG?

An ambulatory EEG is a test done with a small wearable recorder that measures your brain activity over several days while you stay home and follow your normal routine. It helps your provider differentiate seizures from other types of events and it's ordered when events happen too infrequently to catch during a short in-office EEG or when recording at home is enough.

What’s an electromyogram (EMG)?

An EMG evaluates how well your muscles and the nerves that control them are working. It can help identify nerve damage and some causes of neuropathy or nerve pain, muscle disorders and the cause of weakness and other muscle symptoms. It has 2 parts: (1) brief, mild electrical pulses that feel like a quick tap, and (2) a thin needle that records muscle activity and feels like a small pinch while it's in place. Together both parts take less than an hour and most people tolerate the test well.

Neurophysiology at Geisinger 

Neurophysiology testing plays an important role in diagnosing and managing neurological conditions. We offer:

  • Intraoperative neuromonitoring: The team monitors the nervous system during spine, brain and vascular surgery and gives real-time feedback to surgeons to help guide surgical decision making and reduce risk.
  • Inpatient monitoring: Continuous EEG and video monitoring throughout the hospital, from the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit to supporting our trauma centers and neuroscience ICUs, including transcranial Doppler studies for critically ill patients.
  • Outpatient testing: Full array of routine and ambulatory EEG, EMG and nerve conduction studies for seizures, nerve and muscle conditions.
  • Convenient locations: Testing and follow-up care across central and northeastern Pennsylvania.