Neurological examination:

The clinical examination takes place after the medical history.

The aim of the neurological examination is to assess the functions of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves and their interaction. This includes cranial nerve functions (for example eye movements and facial expression), reflexes, muscle strength, muscle shape, mobility and coordination. In addition, sensory qualities, coordination, gait and balance as well as neuropsychiatric functions such as memory, language and attention are examined.

Electroencephalogram (EEG):

Use: epilepsy, disorders of consciousness, regional functional disorders for example due to a tumour or inflammation of the brain.

The aim of the EEG examination is to record the electrical activity of the brain. Electrodes are placed on the scalp using a cap according to a defined scheme. The activity is stored on the monitor and can then be evaluated. Flashing lights and hyperventilation are used as provocation methods.

Electroneurography (ENG):

Use: in entrapment syndromes such as carpal tunnel syndrome, injuries to motor and sensory nerves and polyneuropathies.

Electroneurography measures nerve conduction velocity. This provides information about the functional status of the peripheral nerves. The respective nerve is stimulated at different points using a stimulation electrode. The potential is then recorded at a defined muscle area.

Duplex sonography of the arteries supplying the brain:

Use: circulatory disorders of the brain, follow-up monitoring of vascular narrowing, stroke or warning signs of stroke, detection of arteriosclerosis.

Duplex sonography is an ultrasound examination of the arteries supplying the brain. The aim is to assess the patency and vessel wall characteristics of arteries leading to the brain and intracranial vessels. In colour duplex imaging, the vessel wall and blood flow are visualised directly and recorded on a monitor.

The aim of evoked potential testing is to obtain information about signals from the visual, auditory and sensory pathways and to draw conclusions about possible damage over time. Four types are distinguished:

AEP - auditory evoked potentials (measurement of the auditory pathway)

MEP - motor evoked potentials (measurement of the descending motor pathway)

SEP - somatosensory evoked potentials (measurement of ascending sensory pathways)

VEP - visual evoked potentials (measurement of the visual pathway)

Magnetically evoked potentials (MEP):

Use: in central paralysis, peripheral nerve lesions and similar conditions.

The aim of magnetic stimulation is to measure the function of central motor pathways (pyramidal tract) as well as peripheral motor nerve pathways. Based on known normal values, conclusions can then be drawn about the function of these pathways. For this purpose, a short magnetic impulse is delivered over defined points of the brain and the peripheral nervous system.

Somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP):

Use: sensory disturbances, spinal cord processes and similar conditions.

The aim of somatosensory evoked potential testing is to obtain information about signals from the sensory pathways and to draw conclusions about possible damage over time. For this examination, you sit on a chair. Nerves in the hands and/or legs are stimulated by a continuous mild electrical stimulus. Electrodes on the head record the impulses, which are stored in a computer and evaluated on the basis of available normal values.

Visual evoked potentials (VEP):

Use: visual disturbances, suspected inflammatory diseases and similar conditions.

The aim of visual evoked potential testing is to obtain information about signals from the visual pathway and to draw conclusions about possible damage over time. For this examination, you sit on a chair and look at an alternating checkerboard pattern while electrodes on the head record the impulses, store them in a computer and evaluate them using available normal values.