Epilepsy is diagnosed by which finding?

Epilepsy is diagnosed by which finding?

• A. Abnormal brain chemistry
• B. Prematurity
• C. Positive EEG
• D. PKU

Answer: (C)

Epilepsy is diagnosed with evidence of abnormal brain electrical activity captured by an EEG. When the EEG shows epileptiform patterns—such as spikes, sharp waves, or spike-and-wave discharges—it supports the diagnosis of epilepsy because these patterns reflect the brain’s tendency to generate seizure activity. Clinicians use EEG alongside the patient’s history of recurrent seizures to confirm the condition and to help classify the type of epilepsy. Other factors listed don’t diagnose epilepsy. Abnormal brain chemistry points to metabolic issues that can cause seizures but aren’t themselves a diagnosis of epilepsy. Prematurity is a risk factor for various neurological problems, not the diagnostic finding for epilepsy. PKU is a metabolic disorder that can lead to seizures, but it isn’t the diagnosis of epilepsy itself.

Epilepsy is diagnosed with evidence of abnormal brain electrical activity captured by an EEG. When the EEG shows epileptiform patterns—such as spikes, sharp waves, or spike-and-wave discharges—it supports the diagnosis of epilepsy because these patterns reflect the brain’s tendency to generate seizure activity. Clinicians use EEG alongside the patient’s history of recurrent seizures to confirm the condition and to help classify the type of epilepsy.

Other factors listed don’t diagnose epilepsy. Abnormal brain chemistry points to metabolic issues that can cause seizures but aren’t themselves a diagnosis of epilepsy. Prematurity is a risk factor for various neurological problems, not the diagnostic finding for epilepsy. PKU is a metabolic disorder that can lead to seizures, but it isn’t the diagnosis of epilepsy itself.