EPILEPTIC SEIZURE: PREDICTION AND PREVENTION Dan Coughlin Kevin
McCabe Bob McCarthy Steve Moffett
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Distribution of Work Prediction Kevin and Steve Prevention Bob
Market and Product Analysis Dan
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BACKGROUND
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Epilepsy Epilepsy is a brain disease involving abnormal neuron
activity in the brain Abnormal activity triggers seizures Includes
many diseases that affect the brain in this way, not just one
Person is classified as epileptic after just 2 epileptic
seizures
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Electroencephalogram (EEG) Method of recording electrical
activity of the brain. Electrical Activity produced by firing
neurons in the brain. First EEG in 1912 Recorded by Vladimir
Vladimirovich Pravdich-Neminsky on a dog Main clinical application:
Detecting seizures and epilepsy Also has applications in
entertainment
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Electroencephalogram (EEG)
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PREDICTION
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Ictal vs. Inter-Ictal Ictal - the actual event; originates from
the Latin ictus, meaning a blow or a stroke Inter-Ictal- the time
between epileptic events Which is best?
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Current Prediction Methods Using raw EEG data, the following
algorithms are generally utilized: Fuzzy Logic Artificial Neural
Networks (ANNs) Functional Neural Networks (FNNs) Probability
Neural Networks (PNNs) Support Vector Machines (SVM)
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PREVENTION
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Common methods to prevent epilepsy seizures Preventing a
seizure with the use of Biosensors
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PREVENTION There are a few common methods believed to help
prevent epilepsy seizures Use of medications Medications does not
affect all epilepsy patients They do not stop all attacks from
occurring Epilepsy seizures cannot be 100% prevented by medication
Identify an oncoming seizure attack by watching for behaviors,
environments, or physical and emotional signs that lead to attacks
If an individual is known to have a smelling sensation that occurs
right before a seizure, it may be prevented by sniffing a strong
odor such as garlic or roses Rubbing muscles that are twitching
during an attack may also halt the seizure
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PREVENTION VNS Vagus Nerve Stimulation (passes thru neck to
brain) Designed to prevent seizures by sending regular, mild pulses
of electrical energy to the brain via the vagus nerve Pulses
supplied by a device similar to a pacemaker Works for 30 seconds of
stimulation followed by 5 minutes of no stimulation Holding
magnetic near devices activates it outside of its programmed
interval Stimulation Parameters Stimulation amplitude, frequency,
pulse width Relieves side effects (pain) and controls seizure
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PREVENTION Molecular Imaging Biosensor Identifies excess
amounts of neurotransmitter glutamate build up in brain tissue
Excess levels thought to be produced by dysfunctional
glutamate-glutamine shuttle Biological sensors being developed to
detect glutamate levels from shuttle process Using FRET
(fluorescence resonance energy transfer) imaging and electrical
signals to detect evidence of alterations If technology is feasible
and shows that epileptic seizures occur from this imbalance, this
will be a potential new therapeutic way to control epilepsy
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MARKET AND PRODUCTS
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Types of Products Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) Seizure
Detection while sleeping Electrodermal Activity Sensor Audio
sensors
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Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) Pacemaker for the Brain Mixed
reviews from patients receiving the product More risk with an in
body procedure Has removed seizures for some, but stopped hearts in
others!!
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Available Prevention/Detection Products Detects shaking
movements typical of seizures while sleeping Placed on bed
underneath sleeper, triggers alarm
http://www.tunstall.co.uk/assets/Literature/477-Epilepsy_product_datasheet.pdf
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Available Prevention/Detection Products
http://www.medpage-ltd.com/MEDPAGE%20MANUAL%20MP2%20REV-01-01.04-09.pdf
Bed Sensor with Microphone to detect audible sounds sometimes
associated with seizures
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Available Prevention/Detection Products Electrodermal Activity
Sensor measures skin conductance Electrodes sense change when
seizure occurs
http://affect.media.mit.edu/pdfs/10.Poh-etal-EMBC2010.pdf