Recently, we have learned about the different ways of measuring brain activity and brain waves- through EEGs and MRIs. EEGs use electrodes to amplify and record electrical waves as they go across the brain. This technology allows doctors to watch the electrical currents change over time, with great temporal resolution down the millisecond. MRIs are able to take it a step further, and localize the area of the brain where activity is occurring. While it lacks the temporal resolution of an EEG, it has great spacial resolution, and is able to identify the exact location of specific brain activity.
When I was around 13 years old, my uncle began to have seizures, uncontrolled electrical disturbances that basically cause you to lose complete control of movements and consciousness. As a college student, it was highly dangerous environment to be in while experiencing them. He was later diagnosed with epilepsy and began taking medication. This presented many difficulties to him; he could no longer drink or be in rooms with flashing lights, as they trigger seizures. His license was suspended until he had gone a year without a seizure. The following years he didn’t experience any seizures and thought to have been fine. However, in December 2017, he drove me and a friend to get food. I started to notice the car shaking and turned to see him having a seizure, convulsing and uttering sounds that seemed to be him trying to form words. He woke from the state about 5 minutes later confused and unaware of what had happened. Although the car was totaled, we were all safe and without major injuries.
I had always had a general understanding of what EEG and MRIs do, but I never actually knew how they could measure seizures. I now know the EEGs help diagnose epilepsy by measuring brain waves, and MRIs are able to locate the site of his seizures.