Electrophysiology Service

What are electrophysiology studies?

Electrophysiologic techniques are used to measure muscle, nerve, and brain electrical activity. Electrodes are usually placed directly into the tissue of interest under anesthesia (e.g. muscle) or into surrounding tissues (e.g. scalp when brain activity is measured). Abnormalities in these studies help to better define certain disease processes that are challenging to diagnose accurately otherwise.

Why do some pets need electrophysiology performed?

Animals with problems associated with their muscles, peripheral nerves, or brain may benefit from electrophysiology.

What techniques are available, when are they used, and what do they tell us?

Electromyography (EMG) is helpful in determining if muscle has lost its peripheral nerve supply or has significant structural derangement. EMG often reveals abnormalities in the case of inflammatory or degenerative muscle diseases and conditions where there is loss of axons. EMG will also help guide biopsy, if this is needed.

Nerve conduction velocity studies (NCV) help veterinarians measure the speed of signaling through peripheral nerves. Only certain disease processes affect NCV and the presence of abnormalities will bring veterinarians closer to determining a diagnosis.

Electroencephalography (EEG) is a common technique used in humans with seizure disorders and other brain problems to help define abnormalities. At Texas A&M we use EEG to help in the critical management of actively seizuring animals and in the diagnosis of seizure disorders that are challenging to define. When your veterinarian is unsure whether episodes your pet is experiencing are seizures, EEG can help.

Brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) is a study where click-type noises are delivered to your dog through a pair of headphones. We measure the electrical responses that result within the brain and can determine if there are abnormalities in the auditory pathway. We currently DO NOT perform BAER on litters of puppies, but will offer this service to individual animals with specific concerns.