Tag: MRI

EEGs and MRIs in Measuring Seizures

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.

MRI’s to diagnose brain injuries

Almost our entire body is made up of water molecules which house an even smaller particle known as a proton. These protons serve as tiny magnets which are highly sensitive to magnetic fields. During a Magnetic Resonance Imaging scan (MRI), the protons in our body line up in the same direction. Short bursts of radio waves are then sent to certain areas of the body, which will cause the protons to knock out of their orignial alignment. This sends out radio signals, which are picked up by receivers. These signals provide information about the precise location of the protons in our body and also help to distinguish between the various types of tissue in the body. This is because the protons in different types of tissue realign at different speeds and produce their own distinct signals. The signals from the millions of protons in our body are all combined to create a very detailed image of the inside of our body.

MRI scans are effective at helping to diagnose many internal medical conditions. For example, when I was 12 years old I went skiing with my family up in the Poconos. I decided to try one of the steepest hills at the mountain and ended up taking a massive fall which cause me to hit my head on the snowy ice. In additon, I was not wearing a helmet, which I now realize was a major mistake on my part. The moments following the fall were hazy and patchy and I experienced alot of headaches and neck pain in the days following the fall. When we returned home, my mother and I decided that it was best to take me to the hospital to see if I had suffered from any brain injuires, which is what we were both questioning.

After talking with the doctor and relaying my symptons to him, he took me for an MRI scan, among multiple tests to check for any internal brain damage. I was then taken into a special room which held the large machine I would be laying in. The scan lasted about an hour and took multiple images of my brain, which it was able to do by sending radio waves to the priotons in my body which, in return, send out signals across the body. Luckily, after thouroughly reviewing the scans, the doctors were able to confirm that I did not have a brain bleed or any interanl damage, which I was relieved about. I had only suffered from a minor brain contussion.

Without the technology and high spatial resolution of magnetic resonance imaging scans, I may not have been able to recieve accurate results about my serious but luckily not life threatening injury. We are extremely lucky to have access to this type of advanced technology right at our fingertips, and I am grateful that it granted me relief over potenially a potenially damaging outcome.

“MRI, Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mayfield Brain & Spine Cincinnati, Ohio.” Mayfieldclinic.com, 2018, mayfieldclinic.com/pe-mri.htm.

Lam, Peter. “MRI Scans: Definition, Uses, and Procedure.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, 24 July 2018, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/146309.php.