Ambulatory cassette EEG in epilepsy diagnosis

The electroencephalographic evaluation of patients with possible or proven epilepsy is no longer limited to routine laboratory EEGs or intensive inpatient monitoring. Expanded temporal sampling of the EEG, which increases the probability of documenting, characterizing, and quantitating the electrographic manifestations of these illnesses, is now available on a portable, outpatient, and less cumbersome inpatient basis by means of ambulatory cassette recordings. The technological advances which have made this technique feasible include small multi-channel tape recorders, miniature preamplifiers, and rapid video/audio playback units. New designs in montages and analysis techniques have made the procedure practical. Clinical series and controlled trials have confirmed the usefulness of cassette EEG monitoring in the evaluation of epilepsy and a wide range of other paroxysmal neurologic disorders. Ambulatory EEG diagnostic yields have been shown to be superior to routine laboratory studies and nearly as good as inpatient telemetry evaluations. The role of cassette recordings in clinical electroencephalography continues to be defined as new applications are established.     

A multichannel EEG telemetry system utilizing a PCM subcarrier

A multichannel personal type telemetry system is described that utilizes PCM encoding for the most effective range with minimum RF bandwidth and noise interference. Recent IC developments (COS MOS) make it possible to implement a sophisticated encoding system (PCM) within the low power and size constraints necessary for a personal biotelemetry system. This system includes low level, high impedance preamplifiers to make the system suitable for EEG recording.     

Surgical implantation of telemetry transmitters in fish: how much have we learned?

Surgical implantation has become a well-established method for attaching telemetry transmitters in studies of fish behaviour. However, a rather large number of reports of transmitter expulsion, fish mortality and adverse effects on fish physiology or behaviour, suggests that refinement and evaluation of the methods is needed, especially when tagging fish species for which no protocol has ever been assayed. This paper summarizes the authors' own experiences with telemetry transmitter implantation, primarily from field studies involving numerous species of fish. Where appropriate, results from existing literature are summarized and discussed. The paper focuses on how choice of surgical procedure, fish size, morphology, behaviour and environmental conditions can affect the success of telemetry transmitter implantation in fish.     

Long-term Continuous EEG Monitoring in Small Rodent Models of Human Disease Using the Epoch Wireless Transmitter System

Many progressive neurologic diseases in humans, such as epilepsy, require pre-clinical animal models that slowly develop the disease in order to test interventions at various stages of the disease process. These animal models are particularly difficult to implement in immature rodents, a classic model organism for laboratory study of these disorders. Recording continuous EEG in young animal models of seizures and other neurological disorders presents a technical challenge due to the small physical size of young rodents and their dependence on the dam prior to weaning. Therefore, there is not only a clear need for improving pre-clinical research that will better identify those therapies suitable for translation to the clinic but also a need for new devices capable of recording continuous EEG in immature rodents. Here, we describe the technology behind and demonstrate the use of a novel miniature telemetry system, specifically engineered for use in immature rats or mice, which is also effective for use in adult animals.     

Period-peak analysis of the EEG with microprocessor applications

This paper describes the development and evaluation of a period-peak algorithm for background analysis of the clinical electroencephalogram (EEG). The procedure is a time-domain method which is harmonious with manual interpretation of the EEG tracing. Conceptually the algorithm functions in 2 modes. Major counts are detected by successsive baseline crossings in the period analysis mode. Presence of superimposed activity between major-counts induces a transition to the peak-detection mode. In this manner, period-peak analysis is capable of detecting the simultaneity of slow base-waves and relatively fast superimposed activity in the EEG. Preliminary studies have been conducted in which the analysis results of this procedure were compared to those of other EEG algorithms. In general, the period-peak algorithm offered less bias towards either end of the EEG spectrum. Subsequent to testing of a FORTRAN version, the period-peak algorithm has been implemented in assembly language on a dedicated microprocessor system for on-line analysis of EEG data.     

A simple, PC-dedicated, implanted digital PIM-radiotelemetric system. Part 2: The multichannel system.

The paper, which is a continuation of the previous one, describes a six-channel, PC-dedicated implanted telemetry system, including the schematic drawings, and explanation of all the differences between a single channel and multichannel system approach. The scheme of an additional multichannel analog output, that makes a pure analog recording possible, even without the PC connection, is also presented. Specific methods for both parallel (Centronics) and serial (RS232C) port interfacing are demonstrated and the controlling software principles are discussed. The representative recordings obtained from animal experiments of simultaneous (direct and integrated) multichannel intestinal EMG (MMC) are shown. The device can also be used for the ECG, EEG and uterine smooth muscle electrical activity recording.     

Quantification of EEG variability

This paper presents a method of segmenting the EEG based on the well-known power spectrum analysis. This procedure is applied to the EEG recordings of two normal subjects in order to determine the temporal EEG variability. These results are compared with a more classical approach.     

Feature extraction and recognition of epileptiform activity in EEG by combining PCA with ApEn

This paper proposes a new method for feature extraction and recognition of epileptiform activity in EEG signals. The method improves feature extraction speed of epileptiform activity without reducing recognition rate. Firstly, Principal component analysis (PCA) is applied to the original EEG for dimension reduction and to the decorrelation of epileptic EEG and normal EEG. Then discrete wavelet transform (DWT) combined with approximate entropy (ApEn) is performed on epileptic EEG and normal EEG, respectively. At last, Neyman–Pearson criteria are applied to classify epileptic EEG and normal ones. The main procedure is that the principle component of EEG after PCA is decomposed into several sub-band signals using DWT, and ApEn algorithm is applied to the sub-band signals at different wavelet scales. Distinct difference is found between the ApEn values of epileptic and normal EEG. The method allows recognition of epileptiform activities and discriminates them from the normal EEG. The algorithm performs well at epileptiform activity recognition in the clinic EEG data and offers a flexible tool that is intended to be generalized to the simultaneous recognition of many waveforms in EEG.     

EEG potential theory in a model with thin brain integuments. I. Multilayer spherical cable model]

The problem of finding EEG potentials is solved assuming that integuments of the brain are regarded as infinitely thin spheres. The potential is not changed along the radius in the layers with high conductivity, and the current in the resistive layers is only radial. It is shown that the EEG potentials could be described exactly enough supposing the lower bone plate to be an ideal isolator. The potentials of EEG are obtainable from ECoG by means of a comparatively simple algebraic procedure.     

Selection of valid and reliable EEG features for predicting auditory and visual alertness levels

A selection procedure with three rules, high efficiency, low individual variability, and low redundancy, was developed to screen electroencephalogram (EEG) features for predicting behavioral alertness levels. A total of 24 EEG features were derived from temporal, frequency spectral, and statistical analyses. Behavioral alertness levels were quantified by correct rates of performance on an auditory and a visual vigilance task, separately. In the auditory task study, a subset of three EEG features, the relative spectral amplitudes in the alpha (alpha%, 8-13 Hz) and theta (theta%, 4-8 Hz) bands, and the mean frequency of the EEG spectrum (MF), was found to be the best combination for predicting the auditory alertness level. In the visual task study, the mean frequency of the beta band (Fbeta, 13-32 Hz) was the only EEG feature selected. The application of an averaging subwindow procedure within a moving time window to EEG analysis increased the predictive power of EEG features and decreased the disturbing effect of movement artifacts on the EEG data.     

Automatic classification of EEG segments and extraction of representative ones by dynamic clusters method

Use of the dynamic clusters method for automatic extraction of compressed information about recorded EEG signal is presented. The computer first divides the record into quasi-stationary segments by means of adaptive segmentation. Second, the extracted segments are classified by a method of dynamic clusters into homogeneous classes. One part of the used clustering algorithm permits to specify and draw the most typical class members, which may represent the whole studied EEG signal and may be used as input for the further phase of the automatic EEG analysis, i.e. for the classification of the whole EEG records. The above procedure was applied to a 75 sec long EEG record of anaesthetized cat intoxicated by CO.     

Immobility reactions in socially behaving rabbits: Relation to hippocampal electrical activity

The presence of an intruder conspecific of the same sex caused a series of conflict reactions in rabbits living in a semi-natural environment. In some animals, defensive responses were predominant and two immobility reactions were observed. One consisted of freezing when the intruder was exploring at a distance; the other consisted of subdued posture in close contact with the intruder. Hippocampal EEG, recorded by telemetry, showed two different profiles. During freezing, rhythmic slow activity prevailed and during subdued posture an irregular pattern was predominant. Frequency increased when the intruder was in close contact with the resident. Aspects such as distance or behaviour of the intruder were found to affect both behavioural strategies and hippocampal electrical responses.     

基于前额联络皮层脑电信号的海洛因戒断大鼠个体觅药行为状态识别

目的:探究海洛因诱导位置偏爱大鼠不同行为状态下额叶联络皮层(Fr A)无线遥测脑电新的分析方法,以期能精确实时识别海洛因诱导大鼠个体的强迫性觅药行为。方法:清洁级Wistar大鼠30只,于前额皮层行电极埋藏术后,随机分为手术对照组(n=10)和海洛因诱导组(n=20);海洛因诱导组皮下注射海洛因0.5 mg/(kg·d),之后每日递增0.25 mg/kg,连续注射7 d,对照组同时间注射等量生理盐水;利用CPP视频系统结合脑电无线遥测技术,同步记录白-黑箱穿梭、黑箱停留、黑-白箱穿梭、白箱停留四种行为状态下已成瘾大鼠Fr A区脑电信号,辨识原始脑电中含肌电等噪声信号区域,针对性的给以小波分解及振幅阈值消噪预处理,提取不同行为状态下脑电数据的样本熵值及与4个节律频率对应的小波系数标准差值,利用支持向量机算法(SVM)实现对海洛因成瘾大鼠个体不同行为状态的实时识别。结果:SVM对20只经海洛因诱导产生明显药物依赖的大鼠个体白-黑穿梭、黑箱停留、黑-白穿梭、白箱停留四种不同行为状态的实时分类识别率均值都达到80%左右,其中与觅药行为关联最紧密的黑-白穿梭状态实时识别率均值达到83.88%。结...     

The use of a multi-channel kalman filter algorithm in structural analysis of the epileptic EEG

An extension of the Kalman filter algorithm to the multi-channel case is presented and its application as a segmenting procedure in the analysis of the epileptic EEG is discussed. An analytical example of structural analysis, using the segments extracted by the proposed filter, is presented for a particular set of 4-channel EEG recordings. This analysis is shown to be especially fruitful if the autoregressive coefficients - a by product of the filtering procedure - are used to estimate the information flow between the channels by the calculation of partial as well as directed coherences for the representative segments.     

The correction of eye blink artefacts in the EEG: a comparison of two prominent methods

Background

The study investigated the residual impact of eyeblinks on the electroencephalogram (EEG) after application of different correction procedures, namely a regression method (eye movement correction procedure, EMCP) and a component based method (Independent Component Analysis, ICA).

Methodology/Principle Findings

Real and simulated data were investigated with respect to blink-related potentials and the residual mutual information of uncorrected vertical electrooculogram (EOG) and corrected EEG, which is a measure of residual EOG contribution to the EEG. The results reveal an occipital positivity that peaks at about 250ms after the maximum blink excursion following application of either correction procedure. This positivity was not observable in the simulated data. Mutual information of vertical EOG and EEG depended on the applied regression procedure. In addition, different correction results were obtained for real and simulated data. ICA yielded almost perfect correction in all conditions. However, under certain conditions EMCP yielded comparable results to the ICA approach.

Conclusion

In conclusion, for EMCP the quality of correction depended on the EMCP variant used and the structure of the data, whereas ICA always yielded almost perfect correction. However, its disadvantage is the much more complex data processing, and that it requires a suitable amount of data.     

Effects of EEG of the osmotic opening of the blood-brain barrier in rats

EEG activity was recorded in rats submitted to osmotic opening of the BBB by intracarotid mannitol infusion.This procedure produced an immediate short-lasting depression of the EEG and a tardive paroxysmal EEG activity. Both these phenomena were more relevant on the ipsilateral hemisphere. In some instances a tonico-clonic seizure was recorded.Pre-treatment with diazepam abolished the occurrence of the tardive EEG and behavioral modifications.In accord with previous findings, focal seizure activity is likely to be responsible for the metabolic abnormalities associated with osmotic opening of the BBB. This preparation therefore produces in the brain unphysiological states in respect to local metabolism and electrical function.     

Trends in the reporting of tagging procedures for fish telemetry studies that have used surgical implantation of transmitters: a call for more complete reporting

The intracoelomic surgical implantation of telemetry transmitters in fish is becoming the “standard” tagging approach for most field telemetry studies. Subsequently, efforts must be made to ensure the welfare of the fish are maintained and that fish do not experience significant mortality or sublethal impairments in health, behavior or physiology as a result of surgical procedures. Therefore, it is essential to adequately report information relating to all aspects of the surgical procedure to enable the reader to make an accurate interpretation of study results. We conducted a quantitative literature review aimed at characterizing trends in data reporting by examining a sample of fish telemetry studies published in peer-reviewed outlets during the last 20 years. We used a repeatability score, based on 16 predetermined criteria, to evaluate the reporting of surgical procedures in telemetry studies. The majority of studies failed to report basic information relating to the surgical procedures used. Repeatability scores were highly variable between studies and ranged from 0–93.8%. No single study provided complete information (mean repeatability score = 50.7%) and repeatability showed no trend over time. Some study information was consistently well reported (e.g. tag size and dimensions, the type of anaesthetic used and the location of incision). In contrast, the type of suture knots, duration or level of anaesthesia and precautions taken to minimize infection were consistently left out of the methods section of most telemetry studies. Our review was confounded by the large proportion of studies that cited other sources for their surgical methods, many of which themselves lacked complete information. We recommend that future electronic tagging studies that involve intracoelomic implantation include the minimum reporting standards presented in this paper. Increasing the detail of reporting will improve the quality of data presented, minimize welfare and ethical concerns and allow transparency for study repeatability.     

Continuous registration of the filling volume of the human urinary bladder]

A sensing system for continuous recording of bladder volume is described. The system is intended for use in particular in patients with paraplegia or bladder plastique. Owing to the very simple measuring procedure employed the implantable components can be designed for very low power consumption. Also, there is no need for an additional data transfer from inside the body to the exterior, because measurement and telemetry are physically the same procedures.     

The meaning of character combination for the separation of EEG-data

Summary Standard EEG risk evaluation works on scoring systems that use different types of questionnaires. Here, an alternative for SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) risk detection is presented that is based exclusively on EEG data which possibly could substitute the procedure of questioning the parents and allow a direct qualification of the physiological disposition of the individual neonate: Using EEG-characters an approved SIDS-case could be discriminated as well against the group of “healthy” infants as against the “high-risk-group”. The results of this study may confirm the evidence that the EEG analysis can be a promising approach to predict an increased SIDS risk.     

A Radio-telemetric System to Monitor Cardiovascular Function in Rats with Spinal Cord Transection and Embryonic Neural Stem Cell Grafts

High thoracic or cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) can lead to cardiovascular dysfunction. To monitor cardiovascular parameters, we implanted a catheter connected to a radio transmitter into the femoral artery of rats that underwent a T4 spinal cord transection with or without grafting of embryonic brainstem-derived neural stem cells expressing green fluorescent protein. Compared to other methods such as cannula insertion or tail-cuff, telemetry is advantageous to continuously monitor blood pressure and heart rate in freely moving animals. It is also capable of long term multiple data acquisitions. In spinal cord injured rats, basal cardiovascular data under unrestrained condition and autonomic dysreflexia in response to colorectal distension were successfully recorded. In addition, cardiovascular parameters before and after SCI can be compared in the same rat if a transmitter is implanted before a spinal cord transection. One limitation of the described telemetry procedure is that implantation in the femoral artery may influence the blood supply to the ipsilateral hindlimb.