Improving classification of epileptic and non-epileptic EEG events by feature selection

This is the Accepted Manuscript version of the following article: E. Pippa, et al, “Improving classification of epileptic and non-epileptic EEG events by feature selection”, Neurocomputing, Vol. 171: 576-585, July 2015. The final published version is available at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0925231215009509?via%3Dihub Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V.Correctly diagnosing generalized epileptic from non-epileptic episodes, such as psychogenic non epileptic seizures (PNES) and vasovagal or vasodepressor syncope (VVS), despite its importance for the administration of appropriate treatment, life improvement of the patient, and cost reduction for patient and healthcare system, is rarely tackled in the literature. Usually clinicians differentiate between generalized epileptic seizures and PNES based on clinical features and video-EEG. In this work, we investigate the use of machine learning techniques for automatic classification of generalized epileptic and non-epileptic events based only on multi-channel EEG data. For this purpose, we extract the signal patterns in the time domain and in the frequency domain and then combine all features across channels to characterize the spatio-temporal manifestation of seizures. Several classification algorithms are explored and evaluated on EEG epochs from 11 subjects in an inter-subject cross-validation setting. Due to large number of features feature ranking and selection is performed prior to classification using the ReliefF ranking algorithm within two different voting strategies. The classification models using feature subsets, achieved higher accuracy compared to the models using all features reaching 95% (Bayesian Network), 89% (Random Committee) and 87% (Random Forest) for binary classification (epileptic versus non-epileptic). The results demonstrate the competitiveness of this approach as opposed to previous methods.Peer reviewe

DEVELOPMENT OF AN ACCURATE SEIZURE DETECTION SYSTEM USING RANDOM FOREST CLASSIFIER WITH ICA BASED ARTIFACT REMOVAL ON EEG DATA

Abstract The creation of a reliable artifact removal and precise epileptic seizure identification system using Seina Scalp EEG data and cutting-edge machine learning techniques is presented in this paper. Random Forest classifier used for seizure classification, and independent component analysis (ICA) is used for artifact removal. Various artifacts, such as eye blinks, muscular activity, and environmental noise, are successfully recognized and removed from the EEG signals using ICA-based artifact removal, increasing the accuracy of the analysis that comes after. A precise distinction between seizure and non-seizure segments is made possible by the Random Forest Classifier, which was created expressly to capture the spatial and temporal patterns associated with epileptic seizures. Experimental evaluation of the Seina Scalp EEG Data demonstrates the excellent accuracy of our approach, achieving a 96% seizure identification rate A potential strategy for improving the accuracy and clinical utility of EEG-based epilepsy diagnosis is the merging of modern signal processing methods and deep learning algorithms

A machine learning system for automated whole-brain seizure detection

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological condition that affects approximately 70 million people worldwide. Characterised by sudden bursts of excess electricity in the brain, manifesting as seizures, epilepsy is still not well understood when compared with other neurological disorders. Seizures often happen unexpectedly and attempting to predict them has been a research topic for the last 30 years. Electroencephalograms have been integral to these studies, as the recordings that they produce can capture the brain’s electrical signals. The diagnosis of epilepsy is usually made by a neurologist, but can be difficult to make in the early stages. Supporting para-clinical evidence obtained from magnetic resonance imaging and electroencephalography may enable clinicians to make a diagnosis of epilepsy and instigate treatment earlier. However, electroencephalogram capture and interpretation is time consuming and can be expensive due to the need for trained specialists to perform the interpretation. Automated detection of correlates of seizure activity generalised across different regions of the brain and across multiple subjects may be a solution. This paper explores this idea further and presents a supervised machine learning approach that classifies seizure and non-seizure records using an open dataset containing 342 records (171 seizures and 171 non-seizures). Our approach posits a new method for generalising seizure detection across different subjects without prior knowledge about the focal point of seizures. Our results show an improvement on existing studies with 88% for sensitivity, 88% for specificity and 93% for the area under the curve, with a 12% global error, using the k-NN classifier

Towards developing a reliable medical device for automated epileptic seizure detection in the ICU

Abstract. Epilepsy is a prevalent neurological disorder that affects millions of people globally, and its diagnosis typically involves laborious manual inspection of electroencephalography (EEG) data. Automated detection of epileptic seizures in EEG signals could potentially improve diagnostic accuracy and reduce diagnosis time, but there should be special attention to the number of false alarms to reduce unnecessary treatments and costs. This research presents a study on the use of machine learning techniques for EEG seizure detection with the aim of investigating the effectiveness of different algorithms in terms of high sensitivity and low false alarm rates for feature extraction, selection, pre-processing, classification, and post-processing in designing a medical device for detecting seizure activity in EEG data. The current state-of-the-art methods which are validated clinically using large amounts of data are introduced. The study focuses on finding potential machine learning methods, considering KNN, SVM, decision trees and, Random forests, and compares their performance on the task of seizure detection using features introduced in the literature. Also using ensemble methods namely, bootstrapping and majority voting techniques we achieved a sensitivity of 0.80 and FAR/h of 2.10, accuracy of 97.1% and specificity of 98.2%. Overall, the findings of this study can be useful for developing more accurate and efficient algorithms for EEG seizure detection medical device, which can contribute to the early diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy in the intensive care unit for critically ill patients

Performance Analysis of Deep-Learning and Explainable AI Techniques for Detecting and Predicting Epileptic Seizures

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological diseases globally. Notably, people in low to middle-income nations could not get proper epilepsy treatment due to the cost and availability of medical infrastructure. The risk of sudden unpredicted death in Epilepsy is considerably high. Medical statistics reveal that people with Epilepsy die more prematurely than those without the disease. Early and accurately diagnosing diseases in the medical field is challenging due to the complex disease patterns and the need for time-sensitive medical responses to the patients. Even though numerous machine learning and advanced deep learning techniques have been employed for the seizure stages classification and prediction, understanding the causes behind the decision is difficult, termed a black box problem. Hence, doctors and patients are confronted with the black box decision-making to initiate the appropriate treatment and understand the disease patterns respectively. Owing to the scarcity of epileptic Electroencephalography (EEG) data, training the deep learning model with diversified epilepsy knowledge is still critical. Explainable Artificial intelligence has become a potential solution to provide the explanation and result interpretation of the learning models. By applying the explainable AI, there is a higher possibility of examining the features that influence the decision-making that either the patient recorded from epileptic or non-epileptic EEG signals. This paper reviews the various deep learning and Explainable AI techniques used for detecting and predicting epileptic seizures  using EEG data. It provides a comparative analysis of the different techniques based on their performance

Network perspectives on epilepsy using EEG/MEG source connectivity

The evolution of EEG/MEG source connectivity is both, a promising, and controversial advance in the characterization of epileptic brain activity. In this narrative review we elucidate the potential of this technology to provide an intuitive view of the epileptic network at its origin, the different brain regions involved in the epilepsy, without the limitation of electrodes at the scalp level. Several studies have confirmed the added value of using source connectivity to localize the seizure onset zone and irritative zone or to quantify the propagation of epileptic activity over time. It has been shown in pilot studies that source connectivity has the potential to obtain prognostic correlates, to assist in the diagnosis of the epilepsy type even in the absence of visually noticeable epileptic activity in the EEG/MEG, and to predict treatment outcome. Nevertheless, prospective validation studies in large and heterogeneous patient cohorts are still lacking and are needed to bring these techniques into clinical use. Moreover, the methodological approach is challenging, with several poorly examined parameters that most likely impact the resulting network patterns. These fundamental challenges affect all potential applications of EEG/MEG source connectivity analysis, be it in a resting, spiking, or ictal state, and also its application to cognitive activation of the eloquent area in presurgical evaluation. However, such method can allow unique insights into physiological and pathological brain functions and have great potential in (clinical) neuroscience

A Performance Comparison of Neural Network and SVM Classifiers Using EEG Spectral Features to Predict Epileptic Seizures

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders, and afflicts approximately 70 million people globally. 30-40% of patients have refractory epilepsy, where seizures cannot be controlled by anti-epileptic medication, and surgery is neither appropriate, nor available. The unpredictable nature of epileptic seizures is the primary cause of mortality among patients, and leads to significant psychosocial disability. If seizures could be predicted in advance, automatic seizure warning systems could transform the lives of millions of people. This study presents a performance comparison of artificial neural network and sup port vector machine classifiers, using EEG spectral features to predict the onset of epileptic seizures. In addition, the study also examines the influence of EEG window size, feature selection, and data sampling on classification performance. A total of 216 generalised models were trained and tested on a public seizure database, which contained over 1300 hours of EEG data from 7 subjects. The results showed that ANN outperform SVM, when using spectral features (p = 0.035). The beta and gamma frequency bands were shown to be the best predictors of seizure onset. No significant differences in performance were determined for the dif ferent window sizes, or for the feature selection methods. The data sampling method significantly influenced the performance (p \u3c 0.001), and highlighted the importance of treating class imbalance in EEG datasets

Electroencephalogram data platform for application of reduction methods

Long-term electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring (≥24-h) is a resourceful tool for properly diagnosis sparse life-threatening events like non-convulsive seizures and status epilepticus in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) inpatients. Such EEG data requires objective methods for data reduction, transmission and analysis. This work aims to assess specificity and sensibility of HaEEG and aEEG methods in combination with conventional multichannel EEG when achieving seizure detection. A database architecture was designed to handle the interoperability, processing, and analysis of EEG data. Using data from CHB-MIT public EEG database, the reduced signal was obtained by EEG envelope segmentation, with 10 and 90 percentiles obtained for each segment. The use of asymmetrical filtering (2-15 Hz) and overall clinical band (1-70 Hz) was compared. The upper and lower margins of compressed segments were used to classify ictal and non-ictal epochs. Such classification was compared with the corresponding specialist seizure annotation for each patient. The difference between medians of instantaneous frequencies of ictal and non-ictal periods were assessed using Wilcoxon Rank Sum Test, which was significant for signals filtered from 2 to 15 Hz (p = 0.0055) but not for signals filtered from 1 to 70 Hz (p = 0.1816).O eletroencefalograma (EEG) de longa duração (≥24-h) em monitoramento contínuo é diferencial no diagnóstico e classificação de eventos epileptiformes, como crises não convulsivas e status epilepticus, em pacientes de Unidades de Tratamento Intensivo (UTI). Este exame requer métodos objetivos de análise, redução e transmissão de dados. O objetivo desse trabalho é avaliar a especificidade e a sensibilidade dos métodos HaEEG e aEEG em combinação com EEG multicanal convencional na detecção de eventos epileptiformes. Uma arquitetura de integração de dados foi projetada para gerir o armazenamento, processamento e análise de dados de EEG. Foram utilizados dados do banco de dados de EEG público do CHB-MIT. O sinal reduzido foi obtido pela segmentação do envelope do EEG, com percentis 10 e 90 obtidos para cada segmento. A aplicação do filtro assimétrico (2-15 Hz) e em bandas clínicas (1-70 Hz) foi comparada. Os limiares superiores e inferiores dos segmentos do aEEG e HaEEG foram usados para classificar épocas ictais e não ictais. A classificação foi comparada com as anotações feitas por um especialista para cada paciente. As medianas das frequências instantâneas para períodos ictais e não ictais foram analisadas com Wilcoxon Rank Sum Test com significância para filtragem assimétrica (p = 0,0055), mas não nas bandas clínicas (p = 0,1816)