Neuromorphic Architecture Accelerated Automated Seizure Detection in Multi-Channel Scalp EEG

Automatic Detection and Classification of Epileptic Seizures from EEG Data: Finding Optimal Acquisition Settings and Testing Interpretable Machine Learning Approach

Deep learning (DL) is emerging as a successful technique for automatic detection and differentiation of spontaneous seizures that may otherwise be missed or misclassified. Herein, we propose a system architecture based on top-performing DL models for binary and multigroup classifications with the non-overlapping window technique, which we tested on the TUSZ dataset. The system accurately detects seizure episodes (87.7% Sn, 91.16% Sp) and carefully distinguishes eight seizure types (95-100% Acc). An increase in EEG sampling rate from 50 to 250 Hz boosted model performance: the precision of seizure detection rose by 5%, and seizure differentiation by 7%. A low sampling rate is a reasonable solution for training reliable models with EEG data. Decreasing the number of EEG electrodes from 21 to 8 did not affect seizure detection but worsened seizure differentiation significantly: 98.24 ± 0.17 vs. 85.14 ± 3.14% recall. In detecting epileptic episodes, all electrodes provided equally informative input, but in seizure differentiation, their informative value varied. We improved model explainability with interpretable ML. Activation maximization highlighted the presence of EEG patterns specific to eight seizure types. Cortical projection of epileptic sources depicted differences between generalized and focal seizures. Interpretable ML techniques confirmed that our system recognizes biologically meaningful features as indicators of epileptic activity in EEG.

A Shallow Autoencoder Framework for Epileptic Seizure Detection in EEG Signals

This paper presents a trainable hybrid approach involving a shallow autoencoder (AE) and a conventional classifier for epileptic seizure detection. The signal segments of a channel of electroencephalogram (EEG) (EEG epochs) are classified as epileptic and non-epileptic by employing its encoded AE representation as a feature vector. Analysis on a single channel-basis and the low computational complexity of the algorithm allow its use in body sensor networks and wearable devices using one or few EEG channels for wearing comfort. This enables the extended diagnosis and monitoring of epileptic patients at home. The encoded representation of EEG signal segments is obtained based on training the shallow AE to minimize the signal reconstruction error. Extensive experimentation with classifiers has led us to propose two versions of our hybrid method: (a) one yielding the best classification performance compared to the reported methods using the k-nearest neighbor (kNN) classifier and (b) the second with a hardware-friendly architecture and yet with the best classification performance compared to other reported methods in this category using a support-vector machine (SVM) classifier. The algorithm is evaluated on the Children's Hospital Boston, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (CHB-MIT), and University of Bonn EEG datasets. The proposed method achieves 98.85% accuracy, 99.29% sensitivity, and 98.86% specificity on the CHB-MIT dataset using the kNN classifier. The best figures using the SVM classifier for accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity are 99.19%, 96.10%, and 99.19%, respectively. Our experiments establish the superiority of using an AE approach with a shallow architecture to generate a low-dimensionality yet effective EEG signal representation capable of high-performance abnormal seizure activity detection at a single-channel EEG level and with a fine granularity of 1 s EEG epochs.

Assessment of a 16-Channel Ambulatory Dry Electrode EEG for Remote Monitoring

Ambulatory EEGs began emerging in the healthcare industry over the years, setting a new norm for long-term monitoring services. The present devices in the market are neither meant for remote monitoring due to their technical complexity nor for meeting clinical setting needs in epilepsy patient monitoring. In this paper, we propose an ambulatory EEG device, OptiEEG, that has low setup complexity, for the remote EEG monitoring of epilepsy patients. OptiEEG's signal quality was compared with a gold standard clinical device, Natus. The experiment between OptiEEG and Natus included three different tests: eye open/close (EOC); hyperventilation (HV); and photic stimulation (PS). Statistical and wavelet analysis of retrieved data were presented when evaluating the performance of OptiEEG. The SNR and PSNR of OptiEEG were slightly lower than Natus, but within an acceptable bound. The standard deviations of MSE for both devices were almost in a similar range for the three tests. The frequency band energy analysis is consistent between the two devices. A rhythmic slowdown of theta and delta was observed in HV, whereas photic driving was observed during PS in both devices. The results validated the performance of OptiEEG as an acceptable EEG device for remote monitoring away from clinical environments.