A doctor may use many different tests. The ones listed here are just some of the more common ones. Diagnostic tests examine how the brain looks, works and gets its blood supply. They can outline the injured brain area. Most of them are safe and painless.
Diagnostic tests fall into three categories.
Imaging tests give a picture of the brain similar to X-rays. Electrical tests record the electrical impulses of the brain. Blood flow tests show any problem that may cause changes in blood flow to the brain. It uses radiation to create a picture of the brain. It's usually one of the first tests given to patients suspected of stroke.