What provides a graphical record of the electrical activity of the brain?

An electroencephalogram (EEG) provides a graphical record of the electrical activity of the brain. This non-invasive test involves placing electrodes on the scalp to detect and amplify the brain's electrical signals. The resulting recordings reflect the brain's activity in real-time, allowing healthcare professionals to analyze patterns associated with various states of brain function, including sleep, alertness, or abnormal activity linked to conditions such as epilepsy or other neurological disorders.

In contrast, an X-ray is primarily used to visualize structures like bones and does not measure electrical activity. A CT scan provides detailed cross-sectional images of body structures using X-ray technology, also focusing on anatomical visibility rather than electrical function. An MRI uses powerful magnets and radio waves to produce detailed images of organs and tissues but again does not capture the electrical activity of the brain. Each of these imaging techniques serves distinct purposes in medical diagnostics, but only the electroencephalogram is specifically designed to monitor and record the brain's electrical activity.