Bioelectronic Medicine (Feb 2024)

Using a standalone ear-EEG device for focal-onset seizure detection

  • McGregor Joyner,
  • Sheng-Hsiou Hsu,
  • Stephanie Martin,
  • Jennifer Dwyer,
  • Denise Fay Chen,
  • Reza Sameni,
  • Samuel H. Waters,
  • Konstantin Borodin,
  • Gari D. Clifford,
  • Allan I. Levey,
  • John Hixson,
  • Daniel Winkel,
  • Jonathan Berent

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s42234-023-00135-0
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10, no. 1
pp. 1 – 15

Abstract

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Abstract Background Seizure detection is challenging outside the clinical environment due to the lack of comfortable, reliable, and practical long-term neurophysiological monitoring devices. We developed a novel, discreet, unobstructive in-ear sensing system that enables long-term electroencephalography (EEG) recording. This is the first study we are aware of that systematically compares the seizure detection utility of in-ear EEG with that of simultaneously recorded intracranial EEG. In addition, we present a similar comparison between simultaneously recorded in-ear EEG and scalp EEG. Methods In this foundational research, we conducted a clinical feasibility study and validated the ability of the ear-EEG system to capture focal-onset seizures against 1255 hrs of simultaneous ear-EEG data along with scalp or intracranial EEG in 20 patients with refractory focal epilepsy (11 with scalp EEG, 8 with intracranial EEG, and 1 with both). Results In a blinded, independent review of the ear-EEG signals, two epileptologists were able to detect 86.4% of the seizures that were subsequently identified using the clinical gold standard EEG modalities, with a false detection rate of 0.1 per day, well below what has been reported for ambulatory monitoring. The few seizures not detected on the ear-EEG signals emanated from deep within the mesial temporal lobe or extra-temporally and remained very focal, without significant propagation. Following multiple sessions of recording for a median continuous wear time of 13 hrs, patients reported a high degree of tolerance for the device, with only minor adverse events reported by the scalp EEG cohort. Conclusions These preliminary results demonstrate the potential of using ear-EEG to enable routine collection of complementary, prolonged, and remote neurophysiological evidence, which may permit real-time detection of paroxysmal events such as seizures and epileptiform discharges. This study suggests that the ear-EEG device may assist clinicians in making an epilepsy diagnosis, assessing treatment efficacy, and optimizing medication titration.

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