VEP

Visual Evoked Potentials (VEP) are electrical brain waves that are elicited by visual stimulation. They are often used to check the functioning of the visual system and to detect possible malfunctions or damage. 

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The VEP exam is usually performed by placing electrodes on the patient's scalp to measure electrical activity in the brain. The patient is asked to look at a screen on which visual stimuli are presented in the form of patterns or flashes of light. The electrical activity in the brain that occurs in response to visual stimuli is recorded by electrodes on the scalp and processed by a computer.

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VEP are used for example  to diagnose multiple sclerosis or optic nerve damage. They can also be used to check the function of the visual system in newborns or infants. 

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It is important to note that VEP is just one of many ways to check the functioning of the visual system. Furthermore,   an ophthalmological examination or radiological diagnostics such as MRI or CT may also be necessary.

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The history of the VEP dates back to the 1930s when the first experiments measuring visual reaction time were conducted. In the 1940s, the first VEP measurements were performed in humans, using electrodes placed on the patient's head to measure electrical activity in the brain while visual stimuli were presented.