EPILEPTIC SEIZURE:
PREDICTION AND PREVENTION
Dan Coughlin
Kevin McCabe
Bob McCarthy
Steve Moffett
Distribution of Work
• Prediction
• Kevin and Steve
• Prevention
• Bob
• Market and Product Analysis
• Dan
BACKGROUND
Epilepsy
•Epilepsy is a brain disease
involving abnormal neuron activity
in the brain
•Abnormal activity triggers
seizures
•Includes many diseases that
affect the brain in this way, not
just one
•Person is classified as epileptic
after just 2 epileptic seizures
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
• Method of recording electrical
activity of the brain.
• Electrical Activity produced by
firing neurons in the brain.
• First EEG in 1912
• Recorded by Vladimir Vladimirovich
Pravdich-Neminsky on a dog
• Main clinical application:
Detecting seizures and epilepsy
• Also has applications in
entertainment
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
PREDICTION
Ictal vs. Inter-Ictal
• Ictal - the actual event;
originates from the
Latin ictus, meaning a
blow or a stroke
• Inter-Ictal- the time
between epileptic
events
• Which is best?
Current Prediction Methods
• Using raw EEG data, the
following algorithms are
generally utilized:
• Fuzzy Logic
• Artificial Neural Networks
(ANNs)
• Functional Neural Networks (FNNs)
• Probability Neural Networks (PNNs)
• Support Vector Machines
(SVM)
PREVENTION
PREVENTION
• Common methods to prevent epilepsy seizures
• Preventing a seizure with the use of Biosensors
PREVENTION
•
There are a few common methods believed to help prevent epilepsy seizures
• Use of medications
• Medications does not affect all epilepsy patients
• They do not stop all attacks from occurring
• Epilepsy seizures cannot be 100% prevented by medication
• Identify an oncoming seizure attack by watching for behaviors,
environments, or physical and emotional signs that lead to attacks
• If an individual is known to have a smelling sensation that occurs right
before a seizure, it may be prevented by sniffing a strong odor such as
garlic or roses
• Rubbing muscles that are twitching during an attack may also halt the
seizure
PREVENTION
•VNS – Vagus Nerve Stimulation (passes thru neck to brain)
• Designed to prevent seizures by sending regular, mild pulses of electrical
energy to the brain via the vagus nerve
• Pulses supplied by a device similar to a pacemaker
• Works for 30 seconds of stimulation followed by 5 minutes of no stimulation
•Holding magnetic near devices activates it outside of its programmed interval
•Stimulation Parameters
•Stimulation amplitude, frequency, pulse width
• Relieves side effects (pain) and controls seizure
PREVENTION
• Molecular Imaging Biosensor
• Identifies excess amounts of neurotransmitter glutamate build up in brain tissue
• Excess levels thought to be produced by dysfunctional “glutamate-glutamine
shuttle”
• Biological sensors being developed to detect glutamate levels from shuttle
process
• Using FRET (fluorescence resonance energy transfer) imaging and electrical
signals to detect evidence of alterations
• If technology is feasible and shows that epileptic seizures occur from this
imbalance, this will be a potential new therapeutic way to control epilepsy
MARKET AND PRODUCTS
Types of Products
• Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)
• Seizure Detection while sleeping
• Electrodermal Activity Sensor
• Audio sensors
Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)
• “Pacemaker for the Brain”
• Mixed reviews from patients receiving the product
• More risk with an in body procedure
• Has removed seizures for some, but stopped hearts in
others!!
Available Prevention/Detection Products
• Detects shaking movements typical of seizures
while sleeping
• Placed on bed underneath sleeper, triggers alarm
http://www.tunstall.co.uk/assets/Literature/477-Epilepsy_product_datasheet.pdf
Available Prevention/Detection Products
• Bed Sensor with Microphone to detect audible
sounds sometimes associated with seizures
http://www.medpage-ltd.com/MEDPAGE%20MANUAL%20MP2%20REV-01-01.04-09.pdf
Available Prevention/Detection Products
• Electrodermal Activity Sensor measures skin
conductance
• Electrodes sense change when seizure occurs
http://affect.media.mit.edu/pdfs/10.Poh-etal-EMBC2010.pdf
Project Timeline