Neurophysiology is a discipline within Healthcare Science where healthcare
practitioners and healthcare scientists measure the function of the nervous
system to help in the diagnosis and/or monitor the progress of neurological
disorders.
Healthcare practitioners and healthcare scientists perform a range of different
tests, in patients of all ages, all of which require a considerable amount of
patient contact and also good communication skills as each involves attaching
electrodes to the patient and encouraging co-operation before the recordings
can be made.

Clinical Neurophysiology departments are usually based in hospitals and linked
to neurological centres. Most of the investigations in neurophysiology are
recorded in dedicated environments, however they are also performed at the
patient’s bedside, in the intensive care and special baby care units and also in
the operating theatre.

There are four types of tests which are performed in neurophysiology
departments:

•Electroencephalogram (EEG)
•Evoked Potentials (EPs)
•Nerve conduction studies (NCS)
•Electromyography (EMG)


Electroencephalogram (EEG)

The electroencephalogram or EEG is the recording of the function of the
cerebral cortex (brain) by applying electrodes to the scalp overlying the various
lobes of the brain. The EEG records, over time, the changes in the electrical
potentials generated by the cerebral cortex. This investigation has several uses
but it main role is in patients suffering from epilepsy.


Evoked potentials (EPs)

Evoked potentials are electrical changes within the nervous system in response
to a sensory stimulus (i.e. visual). The main use of evoked potentials are to
investigate neurological disorders such as optic neuritis or multiple sclerosis
(MS).


Nerve conduction studies

These studies measure the function of the peripheral nerves, those responsible
for movement (motor function) and sensation (sensory function). The nerves
are tested by applying a small electrical current to them and recording the
response. These tests are used in neurological and other conditions that affect
the function of the peripheral nerves. These tests are performed by healthcare
practitioners and healthcare scientists but also Clinical Neurophysiologists
(doctors who specialise in clinical neurophysiology).


Electromyography

Electromyography is performed by doctors who specialise in Clinical
Neurophysiology, however healthcare practitioners and healthcare scientists
assist during these tests. Electromyography test the function of the skeletal
muscle and are used in the diagnosis of neurological conditions which affect
the muscles such as motor neurone disease, plexopathy or radiculopathy.



Other specialised techniques are also performed in Neurophysiology departments and these include:

•Long-term ambulatory EEG
•Video Telemetry
•Sleep studies
•Monitoring during surgical procedures
•Visual Electrodiagnostic Investigations


We make use of the following Neurophysiologists:

JB Smith Inc.
(011) 425-4712

Donovan Schultz
(011) 907-4659

Neera Bhikha
(011) 709-2149