Which diagnostic test would be anticipated for a patient presenting with generalized seizures?

• A. Electroencephalogram (EEG)
• B. Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• C. Liver Enzymes
• D. Electrocardiogram (ECG)

Answer: (A)

Recording the brain's electrical activity is the primary test for generalized seizures. Seizures arise from abnormal, synchronized neuronal firing across large areas of the brain, and an electroencephalogram captures this activity with scalp electrodes. EEG can reveal generalized spike-and-wave discharges that are characteristic of generalized seizures and can also show interictal epileptiform activity between events, helping to confirm epilepsy and guide treatment. While brain imaging like MRI can identify structural problems that might predispose to seizures, it does not measure real-time electrical activity. Liver enzymes and an ECG don’t assess brain electrical function, so they aren’t diagnostic for seizures.