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EEG & QEEG Brain Mapping

A Window Into Brain Activity

Every brain is unique.

EEG and QEEG provide a non-invasive way of recording and analysing patterns of electrical activity produced naturally by the brain.

At Simplique, EEG/QEEG assessment can provide another piece of information to help us better understand an individual’s brain-function patterns and, where appropriate, guide an individualised clinical neurofeedback program.

What is EEG?

EEG stands for Electroencephalography – Greek for:

Electro means Electricity or Electrical Activity, Encephalo means Brain and Graphy means Study or Recording.

Your brain’s nerve cells naturally produce electrical activity. During an EEG, sensors called electrodes are positioned on the scalp to detect and record this naturally occurring activity.

No electricity is delivered into the brain.

This is an important distinction.

EEG is a recording process – not electrical brain stimulation.

The electrodes act as sensors. They listen to and measure the tiny electrical signals already being produced by the brain.

They do not send electricity into the brain.

Think of EEG a little like a microphone: a microphone records sound without creating the sound itself. In the same way, EEG electrodes record electrical brain activity without producing that activity.

What is QEEG?

QEEG stands for Quantitative Electroencephalography.

EEG is the recording.

QEEG is the quantitative analysis of that recording.

After good-quality EEG data has been collected, specialised software can mathematically analyse selected sections of the recording. QEEG can examine measures such as frequency-specific activity, power, distribution, asymmetry and relationships between recording sites.

Depending on the assessment and software being used, this information may be displayed through graphs, numerical data and brain maps.

This allows us to move beyond simply observing behaviour and examine another source of objective information about patterns of brain activity.

EEG vs QEEG

EEG

Records the brain’s electrical activity.

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QEEG

Analyses the recorded EEG data mathematically.

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Brain Mapping

Helps us visualise patterns within the analysed EEG data.

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Individualised Planning

Where appropriate, findings may help inform a clinical neurofeedback program.

What Happens During an EEG/QEEG Assessment?

Step 1 – Initial Consultation

We begin by getting to know you or your child.

We discuss relevant information such as:

This information is important because EEG/QEEG findings should never be considered in isolation from the person.

Step 2 – Preparing for the EEG

The scalp and recording locations are prepared so that we can obtain a clear signal.

Electrodes are then positioned at specific locations across the scalp.

EEG commonly uses standardised electrode-placement systems so that recording locations correspond consistently to different areas of the scalp.

Depending on the equipment being used, electrodes may be incorporated into an EEG cap.

Nothing is injected and no electricity is delivered into the brain.

The electrodes are there to record.

Step 3 – Recording Brain Activity

Once the electrodes are correctly positioned and signal quality has been checked, the EEG recording begins.

You or your child will usually sit comfortably and be encouraged to remain reasonably relaxed and still.

Depending on the protocol, we may record under different conditions, such as:

Eyes Open

and

Eyes Closed

These different conditions allow us to observe EEG activity across different resting states.

Movement, blinking, jaw tension and other activity can affect an EEG recording, so we aim to obtain clean sections of data with minimal interference.

Step 4 – Checking the EEG Data

Before quantitative analysis, the recording needs to be reviewed for quality.

EEG is extremely sensitive.

It can pick up signals associated with:

These are known as artefacts.

Appropriate sections of EEG data are selected for subsequent analysis.

Step 5 – QEEG Analysis

Once suitable EEG data has been identified, quantitative analysis can be performed.

Depending on the system and assessment protocol, QEEG may examine measures such as:

QEEG is essentially computer-assisted mathematical analysis of digitised EEG data.

Step 6 – Brain Mapping

Some QEEG systems can present aspects of the analysed data visually as brain maps.

These maps can make patterns across recording locations easier to visualise.

However, a colourful brain map should never be interpreted on its own.

The underlying EEG quality, quantitative data, the individual’s history and the purpose of the assessment all matter.

Step 7 – Review of Findings

Following analysis, we bring the information together.

Rather than looking at a QEEG map and immediately assigning meaning to a colour or number, findings are considered alongside relevant information about the individual.

Where appropriate, we discuss:

Step 8 – Individualised Neurofeedback Planning

Where neurofeedback is appropriate, EEG/QEEG findings may contribute to development of an individualised training approach.

This is one of the major reasons we offer EEG/QEEG alongside Clinical Neurofeedback.

Instead of automatically providing every person with exactly the same brain-training program, assessment can provide information that may help guide decisions about training.

[Learn About Clinical Neurofeedback →]

What Can QEEG Show?

QEEG can provide quantitative information about patterns within an EEG recording.

Depending on the analysis performed, this can include differences in:

Frequency
How much activity occurs within particular frequency ranges.

Power
The amount of EEG activity within particular frequency bands.

Distribution
How activity is distributed across different recording locations.

Asymmetry
Differences in certain EEG measures between comparable recording regions.

Connectivity-related measures
Some analyses examine statistical relationships between signals recorded from different locations.

These findings need to be interpreted carefully and within the context of the individual.

Who May Consider EEG/QEEG?

People may enquire about EEG/QEEG assessment when exploring concerns involving areas such as:

Suitability is considered individually.

An EEG/QEEG assessment does not mean that a neurological or developmental disorder will be identified.

Is EEG Safe?

EEG is non-invasive.

The electrodes are positioned externally on the scalp and record electrical potentials associated with brain activity.

EEG does NOT:

EEG DOES:

The equipment is measuring what your brain is already doing.

Is QEEG the Same as a Diagnostic Medical EEG?

No.

A QEEG assessment used for functional assessment or neurofeedback planning typically involves approximately 10–30 minutes of EEG recording. It does not replace a diagnostic medical EEG or neurological assessment, which may require longer or extended monitoring (e.g., 24–48 hours or longer) depending on the clinical indication.

Diagnostic Medical EEG is particularly important in circumstances such as suspected seizures or epilepsy and is interpreted within an appropriate medical/neurological context. EEG has an established medical role in seizure assessment.

If symptoms suggest that medical neurological investigation is required, a referral may be made and appropriate medical assessment should be sought.

 

Sleep EEG Recording

Sleep EEG recordings may also be available where appropriate. Recording EEG during sleep can provide additional information about brainwave activity and patterns that may not be as apparent during an awake recording. Depending on the purpose of the assessment, this may involve recording during natural sleep or following an appropriate sleep preparation protocol.

EEG/QEEG practitioners may acquire and process EEG data, including recordings obtained during sleep, within their training and scope of practice. However, our EEG/QEEG services are provided for functional assessment and neurofeedback planning and are not intended to diagnose epilepsy, seizure disorders, sleep disorders, or other neurological conditions.

Where a diagnostic sleep EEG, sleep-deprived EEG, prolonged video-EEG, polysomnography, or medical neurological investigation is required, clients should be referred to an appropriately qualified medical or specialist service.

Can QEEG Diagnose Autism or ADHD?

QEEG should not be used by itself to diagnose autism, ADHD, learning disability or another developmental, neurological or psychiatric condition.

These diagnoses require appropriate clinical assessment using established diagnostic processes.

QEEG provides additional information about patterns of electrical brain activity. It is one piece of information—not a diagnosis by itself.

EEG/QEEG + Clinical Neurofeedback

From Assessment to Individualised Brain Training

Where appropriate, your pathway may look like:

Initial Consultation

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EEG Recording

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Data Quality & Artefact Review

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QEEG Analysis

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Review of Findings

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Individualised Neurofeedback Planning

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Clinical Neurofeedback Sessions

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Progress Review

Our goal is to use assessment and ongoing measurement to help individualise the process rather than assuming that every brain requires the same training.

EEG/QEEG for Children

We understand that sitting still with equipment on the head may feel unfamiliar for some children, particularly children with sensory differences or additional support needs.

We aim to make the process as comfortable and child-friendly as possible.

Where appropriate, preparation can be adapted to allow the child time to become familiar with the environment and equipment.

Parents and carers are encouraged to tell us about:

This allows us to plan the appointment around the individual child wherever possible.

Fees & Funding

We welcome both private self-funded clients and NDIS participants.

You do not need an NDIS plan to access EEG/QEEG or Clinical Neurofeedback services privately.

Where NDIS funding is being considered, eligibility depends on the participant’s individual plan, goals, current NDIS funding rules and the requirements applicable to the particular support.

Private Self-Funded Clients Welcome

NDIS Participants Welcome Where Funding Requirements Are Met

[View Fees & Funding →]