New AI Algorithm Detects Rare Epileptic Seizures from EEG Data
By HospiMedica International staff writers Posted on 07 Jun 2024 |

Over 65 million people around the globe are affected by epilepsy, a neurological disorder that impacts the nervous system and causes seizures. Statistically, one in 26 individuals will experience epilepsy during their lifetime, and each year, 1 out of 1000 people with epilepsy die from unexpected deaths. Early detection is crucial for effective epilepsy treatment. Machine learning techniques have been employed to detect and classify seizures from electroencephalography (EEG) signals, which are captured using electrodes on the brain, identifying patterns too complex for human analysis alone. However, these systems have faced challenges in detecting rare forms of epileptic seizures due to their reliance on large data sets to learn patterns and make predictions, resulting in inadequate performance when encountering less common seizures. Researchers have now developed an advanced AI system capable of accurately detecting various types of epileptic seizures, thereby enhancing the diagnosis of rare and complex cases, even in young children.
The AI system, created by computer science researchers at the University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA, USA), enhances the diagnosis of rare and complex epilepsy cases by analyzing brain interactions. This new system integrates multiple sources of information typically overlooked by AI systems in epilepsy detection, such as the positions of EEG electrodes and the brain regions they monitor. By doing so, the AI can identify patterns or features that signal an impending seizure. This approach enables the system to produce accurate results with minimal data, even for rare seizure types that have limited examples in the training data.
For example, in the case of atonic seizures—a rare type of seizure often affecting children and causing sudden loss of muscle control and collapse—the system focuses on spatial relationships in brain regions. It prioritizes brain areas involved in muscle control, such as the motor cortex, basal ganglia, cerebellum, and brainstem, to detect activity patterns indicative of atonic seizures. The researchers aim to supplement doctors' expertise in diagnosing difficult cases rather than replace them. They view this AI technology as a significant advancement in clinical neurology, with the potential to be integrated into wearable sensors that can relay information to a smartphone in the future.
“Brain seizures happen very suddenly, and so detecting seizures earlier really could save lives. The system could prompt an alert if it detects any irregularities in the brain waves. This would open up incredible opportunities for diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy,” said Cyrus Shahabi, a computer science, electrical engineering, and spatial sciences professor.
Related Links:
University of Southern California
Channels
Artificial Intelligence
view channel
Innovative Risk Score Predicts Heart Attack or Stroke in Kidney Transplant Candidates
Heart researchers have utilized an innovative risk assessment score to accurately predict whether patients being evaluated for kidney transplants are at risk for future major cardiac events, such as a... Read more
AI Algorithm Detects Early-Stage Metabolic-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease Using EHRs
Liver disease, which is treatable when detected early, often goes unnoticed until it reaches advanced stages. Metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), the most prevalent form of liver disease,... Read moreSurgical Techniques
view channel
Easy-To-Apply Gel Could Prevent Formation of Post-Surgical Abdominal Adhesions
Surgical adhesions are a frequent and often life-threatening complication following open or laparoscopic abdominal surgery. These adhesions develop in the weeks following surgery as the body heals.... Read more
Groundbreaking Leadless Pacemaker to Prevent Invasive Surgeries for Children
Leadless pacemakers marked a significant advancement in cardiac care, primarily because traditional pacemakers are dependent on leads, which are prone to breakage over time. Currently, two FDA-approved... Read morePatient Care
view channel
Portable Biosensor Platform to Reduce Hospital-Acquired Infections
Approximately 4 million patients in the European Union acquire healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) or nosocomial infections each year, with around 37,000 deaths directly resulting from these infections,... Read more
First-Of-Its-Kind Portable Germicidal Light Technology Disinfects High-Touch Clinical Surfaces in Seconds
Reducing healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs) remains a pressing issue within global healthcare systems. In the United States alone, 1.7 million patients contract HAIs annually, leading to approximately... Read more
Surgical Capacity Optimization Solution Helps Hospitals Boost OR Utilization
An innovative solution has the capability to transform surgical capacity utilization by targeting the root cause of surgical block time inefficiencies. Fujitsu Limited’s (Tokyo, Japan) Surgical Capacity... Read more
Game-Changing Innovation in Surgical Instrument Sterilization Significantly Improves OR Throughput
A groundbreaking innovation enables hospitals to significantly improve instrument processing time and throughput in operating rooms (ORs) and sterile processing departments. Turbett Surgical, Inc.... Read moreHealth IT
view channel
Printable Molecule-Selective Nanoparticles Enable Mass Production of Wearable Biosensors
The future of medicine is likely to focus on the personalization of healthcare—understanding exactly what an individual requires and delivering the appropriate combination of nutrients, metabolites, and... Read more
Smartwatches Could Detect Congestive Heart Failure
Diagnosing congestive heart failure (CHF) typically requires expensive and time-consuming imaging techniques like echocardiography, also known as cardiac ultrasound. Previously, detecting CHF by analyzing... Read morePoint of Care
view channel
Handheld, Sound-Based Diagnostic System Delivers Bedside Blood Test Results in An Hour
Patients who go to a doctor for a blood test often have to contend with a needle and syringe, followed by a long wait—sometimes hours or even days—for lab results. Scientists have been working hard to... Read more
Smartphone-Enabled, Paper-Based Quantitative Diagnostic Platform Transforms POC Testing
Point-of-care diagnostics are crucial for public health, offering rapid, on-site testing that enables prompt diagnosis and treatment. This is especially valuable in remote or underserved regions where... Read moreBusiness
view channel
Becton Dickinson to Spin Out Biosciences and Diagnostic Solutions Business
Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD, Franklin Lakes, NJ, USA), has announced that its board of directors has unanimously authorized BD management to pursue a plan to separate BD's Biosciences and Diagnostic... Read more