Excerpt from EEG Atlas: Encephalopathic Patterns I - Generalized Slowing

Synonyms, Key Words, and Related Terms: cerebral function, diffuse encephalopathy, diffuse brain dysfunction, focal dysfunction

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Since the EEG is a test of cerebral function, diffuse (generalized) abnormal patterns are by definition indicative of diffuse brain dysfunction (ie, diffuse encephalopathy). This article discusses generalized slowing, which is the most common finding in diffuse encephalopathies. (Focal [localized] slow activity reflects focal dysfunction, not diffuse dysfunction [ie, encephalopathy].) The next level of severity of diffuse brain dysfunction is discussed in EEG Atlas: Encephalopathic Patterns II - More Severe Patterns, and other encephalopathic patterns are discussed in EEG Atlas: Encephalopathic Patterns III - Miscellaneous Patterns.

Generalized slowing can be divided in a clinically useful way into 3 patterns: background slowing, intermittent slowing, and generalized slowing.

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