1.

TECHNICAL SCIENCES

1.1

ELECTRICAL CONCEPTS

Atoms and molecules, conduction and insulation, voltage, current, resistance, power, Ohm’s Law, capacitance and inductance, DC and AC, ions, impedance, magnetism and electricity, measurement units, meters, transformers.

1.2

THE ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPH

1.2.1

Introduction to the Electroencephalograph- basic concepts.

1.2.2

The Differential Amplifier - basic concepts, tubes and transistors, power supply, input impedance, common mode rejection, input I and output II, polarity.

1.2.3

Filters - low frequency filters, (time constants), high frequency filters, frequency response, 50 Hz (notch) filter phase shift, use of controls.

1.2.4

Sensitivity -  individual and master controls, dynamic range, use of controls.

1.2.5

Calibration - instrument calibration and bio-calibration (Equipment) biocalibration (Patient manoeuvres for EEG and PSG).

1.2.6

Paper speed - Epoch length and sweep speed for EEG and Sleep recordings

1.2.7

Writing and display mechanisms. Analog to digital conversion for digital display.
Horizontal and vertical resolution, bits and pixel definition or digital monitors.

1.3

RECORDING TECHNIQUE

1.3.1

ELECTRODES

·      types, characteristics, materials

·      methods of application (including scalp preparation)

·      impedance and resistance

·      effects of repeated EEG recordings

·      sterilisation

·      maintenance and infection control.

1.3.2

THE 10- 20 SYSTEM

·      Measurement and the importance of accuracy

·      AASM adjustments for sleep recording

·      Placement of additional electrodes of the 10/10 system, routine and for special diagnosis (Anterior temporal and Rolandic electrodes etc)

·      Placement of sleep apnoea investigation sensors (Airflow, Effort, EMG etc.)

·      caps

1.3.3

POLARITY AND LOCALISATION TECHNIQUES

·      polarity convention

·      bipolar and referential recording

·      Effect of system reference electrode placement in digital recordings

1.3.4

Montages

1.4

PATIENT GROUNDING AND ELECTRICAL SAFETY

·      earth loops

·      physiological effects of shocks

·      safety precautions

1.5

TROUBLESHOOTHING, FAULT-FINDING AND MAINTENANCE

1.6

MEASUREMENT AND DEFINITION OF EEG CONCEPTS

·      voltage, frequency, waveform

·      definition of basic clinical concepts

2.

CLINICAL SCIENCES

2.1

NEUROANATOMY

2.1.1

Central Nervous System

·      structure of the brain and cerebral hemispheres, crossed laterality.

·      the brainstem, cranial nerves, cerebellum and spinal cord.

2.1.2

Blood supply

2.1.3

Ventricles and CSF Flow

2.1.4

Autonomic Nervous System

2.1.5

2.1.6

2.2

NEUROPHYSIOLOGY

2.2.1

The action potential and neuronal transmission

2.2.2

Transmission at the synapse.

2.2.3

Excitation and inhibition.

2.2.4

The relationship between neuronal activity and EEG.

2.2.5

2.3

INTRODUCTION TO NEUROLOGY

2.3.1

Neurological Examination.

2.3.2

An introduction to disease states affecting the CNS.

·      genetic and congenital, traumatic, vascular, infective, tumors, degenerative, metabolic and toxic, immunological.

2.3.3

Epilepsy

2.4

NEURODIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES AND THEIR EFFECT ON THE EEG

CT scan, ventriculogram, lumbar puncture, angiogram, brain biopsy, cerebral blood flow studies, myelograms.

2.5

BASIC EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

2.5.1

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

2.5.2

Seizures - Patient and EEGph management

3.

CLINICAL EEG

3.1

INTRODUCTION

3.1.1

Historical introduction

3.1.2

Normal : awake and asleep

3.1.3

Abnormal : awake and asleep

3.2

ARTEFACTS

·      Sources and elimination

·      Monitoring of artefacts

3.3

PHARMACOLOGY AND DRUG EFFECTS

3.4

STANDARDS FOR PERFORMING CLINICAL EEG

3.5

ACTIVATION AND SPECIAL PROCEDURES

3.6

CLINICAL CORRELATIONS

3.6.1

Epilepsy

·      International classification (Most recent IFCN/ILAE)

·      EEG findings

3.6.2

Head injuries and vascular lesions.

3.6.3

Space-occupying lesions.

3.6.4

Infective and non-infective encephalopathies.

3.6.5

Psychiatric disorders.

3.6.6

Sleep disorders