Neuro Diagnostic Center

Neurology Associates is the first Neuro-Diagnostic laboratory in the state of NC to receive Laboratory Accreditation status from the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM). AANEM is a nonprofit membership association dedicated to the advancement of neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, and electrodiagnostic medicine.

The purpose of the Diagnostic Center is to professionally evaluate patients and formulate the most effective treatment plan for their condition. Neurology Associates, a leader in neurological testing in Western North Carolina, is uniquely qualified to test, diagnose, and treat patients with a number of disorders such as Sleep, Nerve & Muscle, Headache, Epilepsy, Stroke, Movement Disorder, Memory Disorders, and Sports Neurology. Neurology Associate’s Diagnostic Center offers state-of-the-art neurological testing including the following:

MRI Services
MRI procedures include scans of the brain, lower back, mid-back, and other areas of the head and neck. This noninvasive imaging technique can assist providers in identifying and accurately characterizing diseases and a broad range of conditions even in early stages. Neurology Associates, in partnership with Alliance Imaging, offers these affordable, convenient, mobile MRI services which can lead to faster diagnosis and significant reductions in patient fees. Patients can schedule appointments for MRI services in this new mobile unit, located on the ground level of Neurology Associates on Tate Boulevard, every Monday and Tuesday from 7:00 am until 7:00 pm. Due to legal regulations, appointments for Medicare or Medicaid patients cannot be scheduled.

 

EEG Tests
An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a test used to detect abnormalities in the electrical activity of the brain. This test is used to evaluate many different types of disorders including seizures, passing-out episodes, confusion, memory loss, tremors, etc. During an EEG, electrodes are placed on the scalp over multiple areas of the brain to detect and record patterns of electrical activity and to check for abnormalities.

An EEG technician in our office performs the test. The patient will be asked to lie on their back on a table or in a reclining chair. The technician will apply between 16 and 25 flat metal discs (electrodes) in different positions on your scalp. The discs are held in place with a sticky paste. Wires to an amplifier and to a recording machine connect the electrodes. The recording machine converts the electrical signals into a series of wavy lines that are interpreted by the physician.

 

EMGs
Electromyography, or EMG, is a test used to assess the health of the muscles and the nerves controlling the muscles. To perform an EMG, a needle electrode is inserted through the skin and into the muscle. Conditions including neck/arm/back/leg pain or numbness, muscle weakness and muscle pain can be evaluated with this test. The electrical activity detected by this electrode is displayed on an oscilloscope, and may be heard through a speaker. After placement of the electrodes, you may be asked to contract the muscle (for example, by bending your arm).

The presence, size, and shape of the waveform -- the action potential -- produced on the oscilloscope provides information about the ability of the muscle to respond when the nerves are stimulated. A nerve conduction velocity test is usually performed in conjunction with an EMG.

 

NCVs
Nerve conduction velocity (NCV) is used to test the speed of conduction of impulses through a nerve. This test is commonly used to evaluate a wide variety of nerve conditions including carpal tunnel syndrome, neck/back pain, weakness, herniated discs, and many other types of nerve problems. The nerve is stimulated, usually with surface electrodes, which are patch-like electrodes (similar to those used for ECG) placed on the skin over the nerve at various locations. One electrode stimulates the nerve with a very mild electrical impulse. The other electrodes record the resulting electrical activity.

The distance between electrodes and the time it takes for electrical impulses to travel between electrodes are used to calculate the nerve conduction velocity. Electromyography is often done at the same time as the NCV test.

 

PSG (Sleep Study)
A polysomnograph is used to test sleep cycles and stages through the use of continuous recordings of brain waves (EEG), electrical activity of muscles, eye movement (electrooculogram), breathing rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen saturation, heart rhythm, and direct observation of the person during sleep.

The patient lies in a bed in the test center. The test is usually may be carried out during the night so that normal sleep patterns can be reproduced. Electrodes are placed on the chin, the scalp, and the outer edge of the eyelids in preparation for the test. Characteristic patterns from the electrodes are recorded while the patient is awake, with eyes closed and during sleep. The time taken to fall asleep is measured as well as the time to enter REM sleep. The movements of a person during sleep may also be recorded by video camera. Although Neurology Associates does not perform these tests, we partner with area providers and read/interpret these studies.

 

Neuro Psyche Tests
Neuropsychological Testing is a series of tests that examine a patient's cognitive functioning, attention span, visual-spatial skills, auditory processing-skills, concentration, etc. They are used to measure the type and amount of cognitive deficits that you may have in order to help tailor the type of rehabilitation that would be most beneficial.

 

Ambulatory EEGs
Ambulatory Electroencephalography monitoring is a fairly recent technology that enables the patient to have their brain’s electrical activity continuously monitored in the home setting. The patient will resume all normal daily activities while wearing this machine. The need for such test is to determine if a patient’s symptoms they are having are seizure related. Some patients only have their ‘events’ on a rare occasion and with the help of continuous monitoring, this test is more likely to capture an event than in a routine office setting.

The Ambulatory EEG recorder is attached to electrodes that are securely attached to the patient’s head using collodion, a form of adhesive. The collodion dries, and keeps the electrodes on the patient’s scalp while they are wearing the recorder. There are approximately 20 electrodes that are on a patients head during the ambulatory EEG recording that are in specialized places to cover the entire brain’s electrical field.

The patient is instructed to press an ‘event’ button or document their symptoms on a diary while they are being monitored. If the patient feels like they are having one of their events, or spells, the time of the ‘event’ on the log or by pressing the button will be matched up with the patient’s brain activity to determine if the patient truly is having seizures or if their events are of a different cause.

 

Holter Monitor
A holter monitor is a portable heart monitor that records your heart’s electrical activity while you are doing your normal daily activities. The most important thing the holter monitor does is help diagnose heart disease, or is used to rule out cardiac causes for a patient’s particular symptoms.

There are 5 electrodes that are placed on your chest in certain areas that will record your heart’s rhythms. The electrodes are attached the recorder, and you will wear this on your waist. There is nothing invasive about the holter and is very conveniently hidden underneath your clothing. During the recording you will resume your normal day to day activities, and if you have certain symptoms you will press an ‘event’ button to let us know that you are experiencing a certain symptom. The time of the ‘event’ will coincide with your heart’s electrical activity, and help determine the cause.

We value your time. Physician referrals streamline the appointment process, reducing the time spent in our waiting room. If you are in need of an MRI, EMG, sleep apnea test, EEG, NCV, trigger point injection or one of our other neurological testing services, contact your family physician today for a referral to Neurology Associates, or call 828-485-2476 for more information. Neurological testing is offered at our Hickory, North Carolina office, as well as at our Taylorsville, Denver and Lincolnton locations.