Close Alert Banner
Skip to Content

Hospital

ResearchFoundation

Text Resize

Regular Large X-Large

Colour Contrast

Default High

Accessible formats and communication supports are available, please contact accessibility@cheo.on.ca

View Our Accessibility Plan

CareersContact UsWebsite FeedbackMyChart
FR
Childrens Hospital of Eastern Ontario Logo
Contact Us
  • Coming to CHEO
    • Accessibility
    • Amenities
    • Health Records
    • Maps and locations
    • Parking
    • Patient safety
    • Pay your bill
    • Pharmacy (Kidcare)
    • Preparing for your stay or visit
    • Research Connection
    • Visiting hours and policies
    View our Physician directory page
    Find Your Doctor Directory
  • Clinics, Services & Programs
    • A-Z Directory
    • Core Innovation
    • Emergency care
    • IR/Cath and Sim Labs
    • Make a referral
    • Mental health
    • School
    • Surgical care
    • Virtual care
  • Resources and Support
    • A-Z resources
    • Community supports
    • Families First newsletter
    • Family and caregiver supports
    • Indigeneity - Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, Social justice
    • Patient Experience
    • Transition to adult care
  • Get Involved
    • Co-op program
    • Donate
    • Family Advisory Council
    • Feedback
    • Share your voice
    • Volunteer
    • YouthNet
  • About Us
    • About CHEO
    • Careers at CHEO
    • CHEO leadership
    • For community physicians
    • For learners, students and residents
    • For pharmacists
    • Newsroom
    • Our partners
    • Privacy and confidentiality
HomeClinics, Services & ProgramsA-Z DirectoryNeurophysiology Lab

Neurophysiology Lab

Mother and child smiling at camera

Regular Large X-Large
 
  • Open new window to share this page via Facebook Facebook
  • Open new window to share this page via LinkedIn LinkedIn
  • Open new window to share this page via Twitter Twitter
  • Email this page Email
Clinics, Services & Programs
    • A-Z Directory
      Toggle Section A-Z Directory Menu
      • Aakuluk clinic
      • Access Team
      • Adolescent Health Clinic
      • Anesthesiology and pain medicine
      • Audiology Clinic
      • Autism Services
        Toggle Section Autism Services Menu
        • Autism FAQ
        • Contact us
        • Early Years
        • Foundational Family Services
          Toggle Section Foundational Family Services Menu
          • Caregiver support
          • Caregiver-mediated early years services
          • School readiness services
          • Sleep support services
          • Social skills groups
        • Impact stories
        • Neurodevelopmental Health Patient and Family Advisory Committee
        • School Support Program
        • School Support Services
        • Urgent Response Services
      • Bone Health Clinic
      • BORN Ontario
      • Cardiology Clinic
      • Centre for Healthy Active Living
      • Child and Youth Protection
      • Child Life
      • Children's Treatment Centre
      • Chronic pain service
        Toggle Section Chronic pain service Menu
        • Be sweet to babies
      • Cleft Lip and Palate
      • Clinic for Augmentative Communication
      • Complex Care Program
        Toggle Section Complex Care Program Menu
        • Complex Care Family Advisory Council
      • Coordinated Service Planning
      • Critical Care Transport Team (CCTT)
      • Cystic Fibrosis Clinic
      • Dental Clinic
      • Dermatology Clinic
      • Development and Rehabilitation
      • Diabetes Clinic
        Toggle Section Diabetes Clinic Menu
        • Type 2 Diabetes Clinic
      • Diagnostic Assessment Services
        Toggle Section Diagnostic Assessment Services Menu
        • Next steps: Lanark, Leeds and Grenville
        • Next steps: Ottawa
        • Next steps: Prescott and Russell
        • Next steps: Renfrew counties
        • Next steps: Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry
      • Down Syndrome Clinic
      • Eating Disorders Program
      • Emergency care
      • Endocrinology Clinic
      • ENT and Otolaryngology
      • Extensive Needs Service
      • FASD Worker Program
      • First Words program
      • Gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition
        Toggle Section Gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition Menu
        • Inflammatory Bowel Disease Centre
      • Gender Diversity Clinic
      • Genetics Clinic
        Toggle Section Genetics Clinic Menu
        • Connective Tissue Clinic
        • Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
        • Genetic Counselling
        • Hereditary Cancer Clinic
        • Prenatal Genetics Service
      • Genetics Diagnostic Laboratory
        Toggle Section Genetics Diagnostic Laboratory Menu
        • Genetic tests available
        • Genetics Laboratory frequently asked questions
        • Requisitions and forms
        • Sample requirements and shipping
      • Global health
        Toggle Section Global health Menu
        • International Adoption Clinic
      • Gynecology Clinic
      • Hematology and Oncology Program
        Toggle Section Hematology and Oncology Program Menu
        • Oncology Patient and Family Advisory Council
      • Home and Community Care
        Toggle Section Home and Community Care Menu
        • Family-Managed Home Care (FMHC)
      • Infectious Diseases Clinic
      • Knowledge Institute on Child and Youth Mental Health and Addictions
      • Laboratory-EORLA
      • Lactation Support Team
      • Medical Imaging
      • Metabolics Clinic
      • National Newcomer Navigation Network – N4
      • Neonatal Care
        Toggle Section Neonatal Care Menu
        • Connecting babies and their caregivers
        • Neonatal Follow-up Clinic
        • Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
        • NICU Family Guide
      • Nephrology Clinic
      • Neurodevelopmental Disorders Diagnostic Clinic
      • Neurology Clinic
        Toggle Section Neurology Clinic Menu
        • Transitioning to adult neurology care
      • Neuromuscular Clinic
      • Neurophysiology Lab
      • Neurosurgery Service
      • Newborn Screening
      • Nunavut Program
      • Nutrition Outpatient Clinic
      • Occupational Therapy
      • Ophthalmology Clinic
      • Orthopedic, Sports injury and Scoliosis Clinic
      • Palliative Care
      • Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
      • Pediatric Medicine
      • Pediatric Surgery Clinic
      • Pharmacy
      • Physiotherapy services
      • Plastic Surgery Clinic
      • Pulmonary Function Laboratory
      • Recreation Therapy
      • Rehabilitation
      • Respirology Clinic
      • Rett syndrome
      • Rheumatology Clinic
      • School-based Rehabilitation Services
      • Sexual Assault/Abuse Care Program
      • SIM program
        Toggle Section SIM program Menu
        • SIM faculty
        • SIM safety solutions
        • Simulation outreach
      • Sleep and Home Ventilation Clinic
      • Sleep Lab
      • Speech Therapy
      • Telemedicine and tele-mental health
      • Urology Clinic
    • Core Innovation
    • Emergency care
    • IR/Cath and Sim Labs
    • Make a referral
    • Mental health
      Toggle Section Mental health Menu
      • Mental health research
      • Mental health services at CHEO
      • Waiting for mental health services
      • Young Minds Partnership Report Card 2018-2019
    • School
      Toggle Section School Menu
      • CHEO School Programs
      • School Authority Board
    • Surgical care
      Toggle Section Surgical care Menu
      • 1. Getting ready for surgery
      • 2. One day before surgery
      • 3. Day of your surgery
      • 4. After surgery
      • Day Surgery Survey
      • Information for youth
    • Virtual care

Contact us

Receive Email Updates...

Jump to the information you need

Children, youth and families  Healthcare providers

About the Neurophysiology Lab

The Neurophysiology Lab provides diagnostic testing for children and youth, including:

  • EEG (Electro-encephalograms)
  • Evoked potentials
  • Electromyography and nerve conduction studies

About our team

We have a team of six EEG Technologists who work in close collaboration with the wider Neurology Team and support both outpatient and inpatient diagnostic testing, including for the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit. 

Information for children, youth and families

Before your appointment

Please sign-up for a MyChart account, prior to your first visit. 

Our scheduling team will call you to schedule an appointment. 

Review the information below on how to prepare for your upcoming diagnostic test (EEG, EMG or EP) by clicking the links below. 

If something changes and you need to reschedule your appointment, please let us know at least 24-48 hours in advance by calling 613-737-7600 x2222. No-shows or frequent cancellations may result in discharge from the service. 

Please arrive 10-15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time in case there are delays with parking or finding the clinic and to complete any required paperwork.  We cannot always accommodate late arrivals and if you miss your appointment time, we may have to reschedule. 

We are located in Clinic A on the first floor.

What to expect if you’re coming for an EEG (Electro-encephalograms)
 
What is an EEG? 
An EEG records "brain waves" on a computer. It doesn't hurt and has no side effects. It gives us information about brain activity and can help us decide if there is a problem. We also use EEGs to monitor children and youth with brain conditions like seizures. It usually takes about an hour.
How do we prepare your child for the EEG?
On the morning of the test, wash your child's hair. Don't use gel, mousse or hairspray. Your child can eat as usual but should not have anything with caffeine in it (like Coke, Pepsi, coffee, tea or energy drinks). Make sure your child uses the washroom before you come into the lab. 
What about medications?
Give your child or youth all prescribed medications on the day of the EEG, unless your doctor tells you not to.
Sleeping and napping instructions

Routine EEG (4-18 years)

  • Sleep and nap as usual 

Routine and sleep deprived EEG (0-3 years)

  • Morning appointment: no morning nap.  No nap during the drive to CHEO.  Feed your child as usual. 
  • Afternoon appointment: if your child has a morning nap, don’t let your child sleep for more than 20 minutes.  No afternoon nap or sleeping during the drive to CHEO. 

Sleep deprived EEG 

  • We will record brain activity while your child sleeps.  Bring anything that usually helps your child fall asleep.
  • 3-5 years: put your child to bed 2 hours later than usual and wake your child at 5 AM.  No napping during the drive to CHEO.
  • 6-18 years: have your child or youth go to bed 2 hours later than usual and wake your child at 4 AM.  No nap during the drive to CHEO. 

Prolonged EEG 

  • This will record events not captured in the routine EEG.  Your child can sleep and nap as usual.  We will give your child lunch. 

Ambulatory EEG

  • This is a portable EEG that you will take home with you in a small backpack to record any seizures.  Your child should carry on with everyday activities.  You will come back the next day to remove the disks and wires.  Your child can sleep and nap as usual. 
What will happen during the EEG?

For the EEG: 

  • Your child or teen will rest quietly on a bed. 

  • We will measure your child's head, and then stick small disks to your child's head using a soft paste. We attach these disks (electrodes) to the EEG computer to record brain activity. No needles are used. 

  • We will video tape your child during the EEG, so we can match his brain activity to any movements he makes. 

  • If your child is old enough, we'll ask her to open and close her eyes and take some deep breaths. We may also have your child look at some bright lights. 

  • Your child can bring a favourite toy or blanket and wear comfortable clothing. 

What happens after the EEG?
Please don't drive if you have stayed awake with your child for a sleep deprived EEG. Arrange for a safe ride home. Your child's hair may have some leftover paste in it. You can remove this easily with a damp washcloth. Results are usually ready in about 2 weeks.

What to expect if you’re coming for an EMG (Electro-myogram)

 
What is an EMG?

An EMG has 2 parts: 

  1. Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS) to check the way nerves carry electrical signals. 
  2. EMG (electro-myogram) to check muscles. Doctors only do this part if it is needed. 
How do we prepare our child for the EMG?
Make sure your child or teen has a bath or shower the morning of the EMG.
What will happen during the EMG?

Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS):

This may be the only part that your child or teen needs. This test does not cause any health risks. It will take about an hour. For this part of the test, we will: 

  • Tape special wires to the skin 

  • Stimulate the nerve we are testing with a quick, electrical shock. This feels like the shock you sometimes get when you touch a door knob after walking on a carpet. 

EMG (may not be needed):

The doctor will use a very thin needle to check the muscles we want to know about. The needle is a lot like the ones used for acupuncture (much smaller than needles used for blood tests). With this test: 

  • There will be some mild discomfort when the needle is placed-it will feel like a mosquito bite. 

  • The needle will stay in place for 10-30 seconds to pick up any problems with the electrical signals in the muscle. 

  • The number of muscles checked depends on your child or teen's medical problem. 

  • Children or teens with bleeding disorders have a risk of bleeding. 

What to expect if you’re coming for an EP (Evoked Potentials)
What is an Evoked Potentials (EP) test?

EPs test the nerve pathways in the spinal cord and brain. We test 3 types of EPs:

  • Visual Evoked Potential (VER): checks nerve pathways from the eyes.
  • Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potential (BAER): checks nerve pathways from the ears. 
  • Somato-sensory Evoked Potential (SSEP): checks pathways from the arms and legs. 

During EP testing, we send quick signals to a nerve, and use a special computer to record the brain's response. 

How do we prepare our child for this test?

Children and youth need to lie very still for about an hour during this test. If you feel your child will not be able to lie still for that long, let your doctor know. Children sometimes need to be admitted to our day surgery unit so that they can have the test under sedation (special sleep medication). 

Please wash your child's hair the day before the test. Do not use gel, mousse, hairspray or oil. 

What will happen during the Evoked Potentials test?

For this test, we will stick wires on your child's head, neck and back with a soft, washable paste. We do not use any needles or radiation, and there are no side effects. Your child will need to lie very still during this test. 

Visual EPs 

  • Babies and some children: will wear special goggles that show flashing lights. 

  • Older children: will look at checkerboard squares that switch back and forth from black to white on a TV screen. 

Auditory EPs 

  • For this test, your child will listen to clicking sounds through earphones. 

Sensory EPs 

For this test, we will stimulate the nerve we are testing with a quick, electrical shock. This feels like the shock you sometimes get when you touch a door knob after walking on a carpet. 

After your visit
After your test is complete, we will review the results and send them to the doctor who ordered the test.  It usually takes about two weeks for the doctor to get the results.  Your doctor will share the results with you – please don’t call our lab for results.  If you would like us to send the results to another doctor, you can go to our Health Records department and sign a release form.

Frequently asked questions

How can I make an appointment?

All patients must be referred by a Physician or Nurse Practitioner.  The wait time can vary based on demand and urgency.  Once we have an appointment spot to offer, our Scheduling Team will call you to schedule an appointment. 
Who should I contact if I am worried or have questions? 
  • For any emergency, call 911. This includes emergencies involving your child’s neurological problem.
  • For patients who are being followed by the Neurology Clinic: For patients who have seen a CHEO Neurologist, call your Nurse Case Manager or send a direct message to them through MyChart. This is not for urgent calls. Our nurses are here to give support, education and will work to coordinate your child’s care. It may take 3-5 days for us to get back to you (and sometimes longer during holidays). We will return the most serious calls first. Please avoid leaving multiple messages for the same issue.
  • For patients who are waiting for their first visit with the Neurology Clinic: Please do not call the nurses’ line if you have not yet been seen by a CHEO Neurologist. Please call your family doctor, pediatrician or visit your nearest walk-in clinic for everything else.

 

Sign up for MyChart to access your CHEO health record anywhere, any time. 
MyChart is a secure, online patient portal that connects you to parts of your CHEO electronic health record and allows you to send two-way secure communication to your care team, complete any questionnaires your care team sends and much more. 
To learn more about MyChart and sign up, visit our MyChart page and fill out the MyChart Access Request Form.

 

Information for healthcare providers

Make a referral

Our clinic is now accepting e-referrals with Ocean!

If you’re already on Ocean, look us up via your account by searching "CHEO".
If you don’t yet have an Ocean account, no problem - signing up is free.

Make a referral in Ocean

All patients must be referred by a Physician or Nurse Practitioner. You can make an e-referral using Ocean, or mail or fax the referral form to us.

Neurophysiology referral form

Contact us 

Neurology Clinic (C-A), CHEO 
401 Smyth Road 
Ottawa ON K1H 8L1 
Fax: 613-738-4879 

CHEO

  • Coming to CHEO
  • Clinics, Services & Programs
  • Resources and Support
  • Get Involved
  • About Us

Contact Us

CHEO
401 Smyth Road
Ottawa ON K1H 8L1
Phone: 613-737-7600
Email Us

 

Connect with us

View our Facebook Page View our Instagram Page View our YouTube Page View our LinkedIn Page

Sign up for our newsletter

twitter:00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000

Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario logo

Copyright 2025 CHEO.

By GHD Digital
  • Sitemap
  • Accessibility
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy and confidentiality
  • Website Feedback
  • Contact Us

Staff Portal

Close Old Browser Notification
Browser Compatibility Notification
It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.