1 research outputs found
Applications of multi-way analysis for characterizing paediatric electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings
This doctoral thesis outlines advances in multi-way analysis for characterizing
electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings from a paediatric population, with the aim to
describe new links between EEG data and changes in the brain. This entails establishing the
validity of multi-way analysis as a framework for identifying developmental information at the
individual and collective level. Multi-way analysis broadens matrix analysis to a multi-linear
algebraic architecture to identify latent structural relationships in naturally occurring higher
order (n-way) data, like EEG. We use the canonical polyadic decomposition (CPD) as a
multi-way model to efficiently express the complex structures present in paediatric EEG
recordings as unique combinations of low-rank matrices, offering new insights into child
development. This multi-way CPD framework is explored for both typically developing (TD)
children and children with potential developmental delays (DD), e.g. children who suffer from
epilepsy or paediatric stroke.
Resting-state EEG (rEEG) data serves as an intuitive starting point in analyzing paediatric
EEG via multi-way analysis. Here, the CPD model probes the underlying relationships
between the spatial, spectral and subject modes of several rEEG datasets. We demonstrate the
CPD can reveal distinct population-level features in rEEG that reflect unique developmental
traits in varying child populations. These development-affiliated profiles are evaluated with
respect to capturing structures well-established in childhood EEG. The identified features are
also interrogated for their predictive abilities in anticipating new subjects’ ages. Assessing
simulations and real rEEG datasets of TD and DD children establishes the multi-way analysis
framework as well suited for identifying developmental profiles from paediatric rEEG.
We extend the multi-way analysis scheme to more complex EEG scenarios common in
EEG rehabilitation technology, like brain-computer interfaces. We explore the feasibility of
multi-way modelling for interventions where developmental changes often pose as barriers.
The multi-way CPD model is expanded to include four modes- task, spatial, spectral and
subject data, with non-negativity and orthogonality constraints imposed. We analyze a visual
attention task that elucidates a steady-state visual evoked potential and present the advantages
gained from the extended CPD model. Through direct multi-linear projection, we demonstrate
that linear profiles of the CPD can be capitalized upon for rapid task classification sans
individual subject classifier calibration.
Incorporating concepts from the multi-way analysis scheme with child development measured
by psychometric tests, we propose the Joint EEG Development Inference (JEDI) model for
inferring development from paediatric EEG. We utilize a common EEG task (button-press) to
establish a 4-way CPD model of paediatric EEG data. Structured data fusion of the CPD model
and cognitive scores from psychometric evaluations then permits joint decomposition of the
two datasets to identify common features associated with each representation of development.
Use of grid search optimization and a fully cross-validated design supports the JEDI model as
another technique for rapidly discerning the developmental status of a child via EEG.
We then briefly turn our attention to associating child development as measured by
psychometric tests to markers in the EEG using graph network properties. Using graph
networks, we show how the functional connectivity can inform on potential developmental
delays in very young epileptic children using routine, clinical rEEG measures. This establishes
a potential tool complementary to the JEDI model for identifying and inferring links between
the established psychometric evaluation of developing children and functional analysis of the
EEG.
Multi-way analysis of paediatric EEG data offers a new approach for handling the
developmental status and profiles of children. The CPD model offers flexibility in terms of
identifying development-related features, and can be integrated into EEG tasks common in
rehabilitation paradigms. We aim for the multi-way framework and associated techniques
pursued in this thesis to be integrated and adopted as a useful tool clinicians can use for
characterizing paediatric development