685 research outputs found

    A Multiple Instance Learning Approach to Electrophysiological Muscle Classification for Diagnosing Neuromuscular Disorders Using Quantitative EMG

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    Neuromuscular disorder is a broad term that refers to diseases that impair muscle functionality either by affecting any part of the nerve or muscle. Electrodiagnosis of most neuromuscular disorders is based on the electrophysiological classification of involved muscles which in turn, is performed by inferring the structure and function of the muscles by analyzing electromyographic (EMG) signals recorded during low to moderate levels of contraction. The functional unit of muscle contraction is called a motor unit (MU). The morphology and physiology of the MUs of an examined muscle are inferred by extracting motor unit potentials (MUPs) from the EMG signals detected from the muscle. As such, electrophysiological muscle classification is performed by first characterizing extracted MUPs and then aggregating these characterizations. The task of classifying muscles can be represented as an instance of a multiple instance learning (MIL) problem. In the MIL paradigm, a bag of instances shares a label and the instance labels are hidden, contrary to standard supervised learning, where each training instance is labeled. In MIL-based muscle classification, the instances are the MUPs extracted from the EMG signals of the analyzed muscle and the bag is the muscle. Detecting and counting the MUPs indicating a specific category of a neuromuscular disorder can result in accurately classifying the examined muscle. As such, three major issues usually arise: how to infer MUP labels without full supervision; how the cardinality relationships between MUP labels contribute to predict the muscle label; and how the muscle as a whole entity is classified. In this thesis, these three challenges are addressed. To this end, an MIL-based muscle classification system is proposed that has five major steps: 1) MUPs are represented using morphological, stability, and novel near fiber parameters as well as spectral features extracted from wavelet coefficients. This representation helps to analyze MUPs from a variety of aspects. 2) MUP feature selection using unsupervised similarity preserving Laplacian score which is independent of any learning algorithm. Hence, the features selected in this work can be used in other electrophysiological muscle classification systems. 3) MUP clustering using a novel clustering algorithm called Neighbourhood Distance Entropy Consistency (NDEC) which contributes to solve the traditional problem of finding representations of MUP normality and abnormality and provides a dynamic number of MUP characterization classes which will be used instead of the conventional three classes (i.e. normal, myopathic, and neurogenic). This clustering was performed to highlight the effects of disease on both fiber spatial distributions and fiber diameter distributions, which lead to a continuity of MUP characteristics. These clusters can potentially represent several concepts of MUP normality and abnormality. 4) Muscle representation by embedding its MUP cluster associations in a feature vector, and 5) Muscle classification using support vector machines or random forests. Quantitative results obtained by applying the proposed method to four electrophysiologically different groups of muscles including proximal arm, proximal leg, distal arm, and distal leg show the superior and stable performance of the proposed muscle classification system compared to previous works. Additionally, modelling electrophysiological muscle classification as an instance of the MIL can solve the traditional problem of characterizing MUPs without full supervision. The proposed clustering algorithm in this work, can be used as an effective technique in other pattern recognition and medical diagnostic systems in which discovering natural clusters within data is a necessity

    Automatic signal and image-based assessments of spinal cord injury and treatments.

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    Spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the most common sources of motor disabilities in humans that often deeply impact the quality of life in individuals with severe and chronic SCI. In this dissertation, we have developed advanced engineering tools to address three distinct problems that researchers, clinicians and patients are facing in SCI research. Particularly, we have proposed a fully automated stochastic framework to quantify the effects of SCI on muscle size and adipose tissue distribution in skeletal muscles by volumetric segmentation of 3-D MRI scans in individuals with chronic SCI as well as non-disabled individuals. We also developed a novel framework for robust and automatic activation detection, feature extraction and visualization of the spinal cord epidural stimulation (scES) effects across a high number of scES parameters to build individualized-maps of muscle recruitment patterns of scES. Finally, in the last part of this dissertation, we introduced an EMG time-frequency analysis framework that implements EMG spectral analysis and machine learning tools to characterize EMG patterns resulting in independent or assisted standing enabled by scES, and identify the stimulation parameters that promote muscle activation patterns more effective for standing. The neurotechnological advancements proposed in this dissertation have greatly benefited SCI research by accelerating the efforts to quantify the effects of SCI on muscle size and functionality, expanding the knowledge regarding the neurophysiological mechanisms involved in re-enabling motor function with epidural stimulation and the selection of stimulation parameters and helping the patients with complete paralysis to achieve faster motor recovery

    Algorithms for Neural Prosthetic Applications

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    abstract: In the last 15 years, there has been a significant increase in the number of motor neural prostheses used for restoring limb function lost due to neurological disorders or accidents. The aim of this technology is to enable patients to control a motor prosthesis using their residual neural pathways (central or peripheral). Recent studies in non-human primates and humans have shown the possibility of controlling a prosthesis for accomplishing varied tasks such as self-feeding, typing, reaching, grasping, and performing fine dexterous movements. A neural decoding system comprises mainly of three components: (i) sensors to record neural signals, (ii) an algorithm to map neural recordings to upper limb kinematics and (iii) a prosthetic arm actuated by control signals generated by the algorithm. Machine learning algorithms that map input neural activity to the output kinematics (like finger trajectory) form the core of the neural decoding system. The choice of the algorithm is thus, mainly imposed by the neural signal of interest and the output parameter being decoded. The various parts of a neural decoding system are neural data, feature extraction, feature selection, and machine learning algorithm. There have been significant advances in the field of neural prosthetic applications. But there are challenges for translating a neural prosthesis from a laboratory setting to a clinical environment. To achieve a fully functional prosthetic device with maximum user compliance and acceptance, these factors need to be addressed and taken into consideration. Three challenges in developing robust neural decoding systems were addressed by exploring neural variability in the peripheral nervous system for dexterous finger movements, feature selection methods based on clinically relevant metrics and a novel method for decoding dexterous finger movements based on ensemble methods.Dissertation/ThesisDoctoral Dissertation Bioengineering 201

    EXPERIMENTAL-COMPUTATIONAL ANALYSIS OF VIGILANCE DYNAMICS FOR APPLICATIONS IN SLEEP AND EPILEPSY

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    Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures. Sleep problems can cooccur with epilepsy, and adversely affect seizure diagnosis and treatment. In fact, the relationship between sleep and seizures in individuals with epilepsy is a complex one. Seizures disturb sleep and sleep deprivation aggravates seizures. Antiepileptic drugs may also impair sleep quality at the cost of controlling seizures. In general, particular vigilance states may inhibit or facilitate seizure generation, and changes in vigilance state can affect the predictability of seizures. A clear understanding of sleep-seizure interactions will therefore benefit epilepsy care providers and improve quality of life in patients. Notable progress in neuroscience research—and particularly sleep and epilepsy—has been achieved through experimentation on animals. Experimental models of epilepsy provide us with the opportunity to explore or even manipulate the sleep-seizure relationship in order to decipher different aspects of their interactions. Important in this process is the development of techniques for modeling and tracking sleep dynamics using electrophysiological measurements. In this dissertation experimental and computational approaches are proposed for modeling vigilance dynamics and their utility demonstrated in nonepileptic control mice. The general framework of hidden Markov models is used to automatically model and track sleep state and dynamics from electrophysiological as well as novel motion measurements. In addition, a closed-loop sensory stimulation technique is proposed that, in conjunction with this model, provides the means to concurrently track and modulate 3 vigilance dynamics in animals. The feasibility of the proposed techniques for modeling and altering sleep are demonstrated for experimental applications related to epilepsy. Finally, preliminary data from a mouse model of temporal lobe epilepsy are employed to suggest applications of these techniques and directions for future research. The methodologies developed here have clear implications the design of intelligent neuromodulation strategies for clinical epilepsy therapy

    EEG-based Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs): A Survey of Recent Studies on Signal Sensing Technologies and Computational Intelligence Approaches and Their Applications.

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    Brain-Computer interfaces (BCIs) enhance the capability of human brain activities to interact with the environment. Recent advancements in technology and machine learning algorithms have increased interest in electroencephalographic (EEG)-based BCI applications. EEG-based intelligent BCI systems can facilitate continuous monitoring of fluctuations in human cognitive states under monotonous tasks, which is both beneficial for people in need of healthcare support and general researchers in different domain areas. In this review, we survey the recent literature on EEG signal sensing technologies and computational intelligence approaches in BCI applications, compensating for the gaps in the systematic summary of the past five years. Specifically, we first review the current status of BCI and signal sensing technologies for collecting reliable EEG signals. Then, we demonstrate state-of-the-art computational intelligence techniques, including fuzzy models and transfer learning in machine learning and deep learning algorithms, to detect, monitor, and maintain human cognitive states and task performance in prevalent applications. Finally, we present a couple of innovative BCI-inspired healthcare applications and discuss future research directions in EEG-based BCI research

    Decoding working memory-related information from repeated psychophysiological EEG experiments using convolutional and contrastive neural networks

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    Objective. Extracting reliable information from electroencephalogram (EEG) is difficult because the low signal-to-noise ratio and significant intersubject variability seriously hinder statistical analyses. However, recent advances in explainable machine learning open a new strategy to address this problem. Approach. The current study evaluates this approach using results from the classification and decoding of electrical brain activity associated with information retention. We designed four neural network models differing in architecture, training strategies, and input representation to classify single experimental trials of a working memory task. Main results. Our best models achieved an accuracy (ACC) of 65.29 ± 0.76 and Matthews correlation coefficient of 0.288 ± 0.018, outperforming the reference model trained on the same data. The highest correlation between classification score and behavioral performance was 0.36 (p = 0.0007). Using analysis of input perturbation, we estimated the importance of EEG channels and frequency bands in the task at hand. The set of essential features identified for each network varies. We identified a subset of features common to all models that identified brain regions and frequency bands consistent with current neurophysiological knowledge of the processes critical to attention and working memory. Finally, we proposed sanity checks to examine further the robustness of each model's set of features. Significance. Our results indicate that explainable deep learning is a powerful tool for decoding information from EEG signals. It is crucial to train and analyze a range of models to identify stable and reliable features. Our results highlight the need for explainable modeling as the model with the highest ACC appeared to use residual artifactual activity

    Lancet Neurol

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    The diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis can be challenging due to its heterogeneity in clinical presentation and overlap with other neurological disorders. Diagnosis early in the disease course can improve outcomes as timely interventions can slow disease progression. An evolving awareness of disease genotypes and phenotypes and new diagnostic criteria, such as the recent Gold Coast criteria, could expedite diagnosis. Improved prognosis, such as that achieved with the survival model from the European Network for the Cure of ALS, could inform the patient and their family about disease course and improve end-of-life planning. Novel staging and scoring systems can help monitor disease progression and might potentially serve as clinical trial outcomes. Lastly, new tools, such as fluid biomarkers, imaging modalities, and neuromuscular electrophysiological measurements, might increase diagnostic and prognostic accuracy.R01 TS000327/TS/ATSDR CDC HHSUnited States/K23 ES027221/ES/NIEHS NIH HHSUnited States/MR/L501529/1/MRC_/Medical Research CouncilUnited Kingdom/R01 ES030049/ES/NIEHS NIH HHSUnited States/R01 NS120926/NS/NINDS NIH HHSUnited States/R01 NS127188/NS/NINDS NIH HHSUnited States/MR/R024804/1/MRC_/Medical Research CouncilUnited Kingdom/R01 TS000289/TS/ATSDR CDC HHSUnited States

    Analysis of sensorimotor rhythms based on lower-limbs motor imagery for brain-computer interface

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    Over recent years significant advancements in the field of assistive technologies have been observed. One of the paramount needs for the development and advancement that urged researchers to contribute in the field other than congenital or diagnosed chronic disorders, is the rising number of affectees from accidents, natural calamity (due to climate change), or warfare, worldwide resulting in spinal cord injuries (SCI), neural disorder, or amputation (interception) of limbs, that impede a human to live a normal life. In addition to this, more than ten million people in the world are living with some form of handicap due to the central nervous system (CNS) disorder, which is precarious. Biomedical devices for rehabilitation are the center of research focus for many years. For people with lost motor control, or amputation, but unscathed sensory control, instigation of control signals from the source, i.e. electrophysiological signals, is vital for seamless control of assistive biomedical devices. Control signals, i.e. motion intentions, arouse    in the sensorimotor cortex of the brain that can be detected using invasive or non-invasive modality. With non-invasive modality, the electroencephalography (EEG) is used to record these motion intentions encoded in electrical activity of the cortex, and are deciphered to recognize user intent for locomotion. They are further transferred to the actuator, or end effector of the assistive device for control purposes. This can be executed via the brain-computer interface (BCI) technology. BCI is an emerging research field that establishes a real-time bidirectional connection between the human brain and a computer/output device. Amongst its diverse applications, neurorehabilitation to deliver sensory feedback and brain controlled biomedical devices for rehabilitation are most popular. While substantial literature on control of upper-limb assistive technologies controlled via BCI is there, less is known about the lower-limb (LL) control of biomedical devices for navigation or gait assistance via BCI. The types  of EEG signals compatible with an independent BCI are the oscillatory/sensorimotor rhythms (SMR) and event-related potential (ERP). These signals have successfully been used in BCIs for navigation control of assistive devices. However, ERP paradigm accounts for a voluminous setup for stimulus presentation to the user during operation of BCI assistive device. Contrary to this, the SMR does not require large setup for activation of cortical activity; it instead depends on the motor imagery (MI) that is produced synchronously or asynchronously by the user. MI is a covert cognitive process also termed kinaesthetic motor imagery (KMI) and elicits clearly after rigorous training trials, in form of event-related desynchronization (ERD) or synchronization (ERS), depending on imagery activity or resting period. It usually comprises of limb movement tasks, but is not limited to it in a BCI paradigm. In order to produce detectable features that correlate to the user¿s intent, selection of cognitive task is an important aspect to improve the performance of a BCI. MI used in BCI predominantly remains associated with the upper- limbs, particularly hands, due to the somatotopic organization of the motor cortex. The hand representation area is substantially large, in contrast to the anatomical location of the LL representation areas in the human sensorimotor cortex. The LL area is located within the interhemispheric fissure, i.e. between the mesial walls of both hemispheres of the cortex. This makes it arduous to detect EEG features prompted upon imagination of LL. Detailed investigation of the ERD/ERS in the mu and beta oscillatory rhythms during left and right LL KMI tasks is required, as the user¿s intent to walk is of paramount importance associated to everyday activity. This is an important area of research, followed by the improvisation of the already existing rehabilitation system that serves the LL affectees. Though challenging, solution to these issues is also imperative for the development of robust controllers that follow the asynchronous BCI paradigms to operate LL assistive devices seamlessly. This thesis focusses on the investigation of cortical lateralization of ERD/ERS in the SMR, based on foot dorsiflexion KMI and knee extension KMI separately. This research infers the possibility to deploy these features in real-time BCI by finding maximum possible classification accuracy from the machine learning (ML) models. EEG signal is non-stationary, as it is characterized by individual-to-individual and trial-to-trial variability, and a low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), which is challenging. They are high in dimension with relatively low number of samples available for fitting ML models to the data. These factors account for ML methods that were developed into the tool of choice  to analyse single-trial EEG data. Hence, the selection of appropriate ML model for true detection of class label with no tradeoff of overfitting is crucial. The feature extraction part of the thesis constituted of testing the band-power (BP) and the common spatial pattern (CSP) methods individually. The study focused on the synchronous BCI paradigm. This was to ensure the exhibition of SMR for the possibility of a practically viable control system in a BCI. For the left vs. right foot KMI, the objective was to distinguish the bilateral tasks, in order to use them as unilateral commands in a 2-class BCI for controlling/navigating a robotic/prosthetic LL for rehabilitation. Similar was the approach for left-right knee KMI. The research was based on four main experimental studies. In addition to the four studies, the research is also inclusive of the comparison of intra-cognitive tasks within the same limb, i.e. left foot vs. left knee and right foot vs. right knee tasks, respectively (Chapter 4). This added to another novel contribution towards the findings based on comparison of different tasks within the same LL. It provides basis to increase the dimensionality of control signals within one BCI paradigm, such as a BCI-controlled LL assistive device with multiple degrees of freedom (DOF) for restoration of locomotion function. This study was based on analysis of statistically significant mu ERD feature using BP feature extraction method. The first stage of this research comprised of the left vs. right foot KMI tasks, wherein the ERD/ERS that elicited in the mu-beta rhythms were analysed using BP feature extraction method (Chapter 5). Three individual features, i.e. mu ERD, beta ERD, and beta ERS were investigated on EEG topography and time-frequency (TF) maps, and average time course of power percentage, using the common average reference and bipolar reference methods. A comparative study was drawn for both references to infer the optimal method. This was followed by ML, i.e. classification of the three feature vectors (mu ERD, beta ERD, and beta ERS), using linear discriminant analysis (LDA), support vector machine (SVM), and k-nearest neighbour (KNN) algorithms, separately. Finally, the multiple correction statistical tests were done, in order to predict maximum possible classification accuracy amongst all paradigms for the most significant feature. All classifier models were supported with the statistical techniques of k-fold cross validation and evaluation of area under receiver-operator characteristic curves (AUC-ROC) for prediction of the true class label. The highest classification accuracy of 83.4% ± 6.72 was obtained with KNN model for beta ERS feature. The next study was based on enhancing the classification accuracy obtained from previous study. It was based on using similar cognitive tasks as study in Chapter 5, however deploying different methodology for feature extraction and classification procedure. In the second study, ERD/ERS from mu and beta rhythms were extracted using CSP and filter bank common spatial pattern (FBCSP) algorithms, to optimize the individual spatial patterns (Chapter 6). This was followed by ML process, for which the supervised logistic regression (Logreg) and LDA were deployed separately. Maximum classification accuracy resulted in 77.5% ± 4.23 with FBCSP feature vector and LDA model, with a maximum kappa coefficient of 0.55 that is in the moderate range of agreement between the two classes. The left vs. right foot discrimination results were nearly same, however the BP feature vector performed better than CSP. The third stage was based on the deployment of novel cognitive task of left vs. right knee extension KMI. Analysis of the ERD/ERS in the mu-beta rhythms was done for verification of cortical lateralization via BP feature vector (Chapter 7). Similar to Chapter 5, in this study the analysis of ERD/ERS features was done on the EEG topography and TF maps, followed by the determination of average time course and peak latency of feature occurrence. However, for this study, only mu ERD and beta ERS features were taken into consideration and the EEG recording method only comprised of common average reference. This was due to the established results from the foot study earlier, in Chapter 5, where beta ERD features showed less average amplitude. The LDA and KNN classification algorithms were employed. Unexpectedly, the left vs. right knee KMI reflected the highest accuracy of 81.04% ± 7.5 and an AUC-ROC = 0.84, strong enough to be used in a real-time BCI as two independent control features. This was using KNN model for beta ERS feature. The final study of this research followed the same paradigm as used in Chapter 6, but for left vs. right knee KMI cognitive task (Chapter 8). Primarily this study aimed at enhancing the resulting accuracy from Chapter 7, using CSP and FBCSP methods with Logreg and LDA models respectively. Results were in accordance with those of the already established foot KMI study, i.e. BP feature vector performed better than the CSP. Highest classification accuracy of 70.00% ± 2.85 with kappa score of 0.40 was obtained with Logreg using FBCSP feature vector. Results stipulated the utilization of ERD/ERS in mu and beta bands, as independent control features for discrimination of bilateral foot or the novel bilateral knee KMI tasks. Resulting classification accuracies implicate that any 2-class BCI, employing unilateral foot, or knee KMI, is suitable for real-time implementation. In conclusion, this thesis demonstrates the possible EEG pre-processing, feature extraction and classification methods to instigate a real-time BCI from the conducted studies. Following this, the critical aspects of latency in information transfer rate, SNR, and tradeoff between dimensionality and overfitting needs to be taken care of, during design of real-time BCI controller. It also highlights that there is a need for consensus over the development of standardized methods of cognitive tasks for MI based BCI. Finally, the application of wireless EEG for portable assistance is essential as it will contribute to lay the foundations of the development of independent asynchronous BCI based on SMR

    Towards Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Interpretable Diagnosis Using Surface Electromyography

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    Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a fast-progressing disease with no cure. It is diagnosed through the assessment of clinical exams, such as needle electromyography, which measures themuscles’ electrical activity by inserting a needle into themuscle tissue. Nevertheless, surface electromyography (SEMG) is emerging as a more practical and less painful alternative. Even though these exams provide relevant information regarding the electric structures conducted in the muscles, ALS symptoms are similar to those of other neurological disorders, preventing a faster detection of the disease. This dissertation focuses on implementing and analyzing innovative SEMG features related to the morphology of the functional structures present in the signal. To assess the efficiency of these features, a framework is proposed, aiming to distinguish healthy from pathological signals through the use of a classification algorithm. The classification task was performed using SEMG signals acquired from the upper limb muscles of healthy and ALS subjects. The results show the utility of employing the proposed set of features for ALS diagnosis, with an F1 Score higher than 80% in most experimental conditions. The novel features improved the model’s overall performance when combined with other state-of-art SEMG features and also demonstrated efficiency when used individually. These outcomes are of significant importance in supporting the use of SEMG as a complementary diagnosis exam. The proposed features demonstrate promising contributions for better and faster detection of ALS and increased classification interpretabilityA Esclerose Lateral Amiotrófica (ELA) é uma doença incurável de progressão rápida. O seu diagnóstico é feito através da avaliação de exames clínicos como a eletromiografia de profundidade, que mede a atividade elétrica muscular com agulhas inseridas no músculo. No entanto, a eletromiografia de superfície (SEMG) surge como uma alternativa mais prática e menos dolorosa. Embora ambos os exames forneçam informações relevantes sobre as estruturas elétricas conduzidas nos músculos, os sintomas da ELA são semelhantes aos de outras doenças neurológicas, impedindo uma identificação mais precoce da doença. Esta dissertação foca-se na implementação e análise de atributos inovadores de SEMG relacionados com a morfologia das estruturas funcionais presentes no sinal. Para avaliar a eficiência destes atributos, é proposto um framework, com o objetivo de distinguir sinais saudáveis e sinais patológicos através de um algoritmo de classificação. A tarefa de classificação foi realizada utilizando sinais de SEMG adquiridos dos músculos dos membros superiores de indivíduos saudáveis e com ELA. Os resultados demonstram a utilidade do conjunto de atributos proposto para o diagnóstico de ELA, com uma métrica de classificação F1 superior a 80% na maioria das condições experimentais. Os novos atributos melhoraram o desempenho geral do modelo quando combinados com outros atributos de SEMG do estado da arte, e também se comprovaram eficientes quando aplicados individualmente. Estes resultados são de grande importância na justificação da aplicabilidade da SEMG como um exame complementar de diagnóstico da ELA. Os atributos apresentados demonstram ser promissores para um melhor e mais rápido diagnóstico, e facilitam a explicação dos resultados da classificação devido à sua interpretabilidade
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