What is the primary use of EEG in clinical settings?

The primary use of EEG (Electroencephalography) in clinical settings is to evaluate the electrical activity of the brain. This technique involves placing electrodes on the scalp to measure the brain's electrical signals. The resulting brain wave patterns help healthcare professionals observe and analyze various neurological conditions, such as epilepsy, where abnormal electrical discharges can be identified.

EEG is particularly valuable due to its ability to provide real-time data on brain activity, helping to establish diagnoses, monitor treatment progress, and guide clinical decisions regarding further interventions or management strategies.

While EEG can contribute to the diagnosis of sleep disorders and may provide insights related to cognitive function, its foremost application remains focused on assessing the brain's electrical activity directly. In the context of brain damage, EEG can show certain abnormal patterns, but it is not typically the primary tool for assessing structural brain damage—that is often evaluated through imaging techniques such as MRI or CT scans.