Seizure detection device sensitivity comparable to video EEG

Data presented at the 2015 American Epilepsy Society Annual Meeting in Philadelphia shows that sensitivity of the Brain Sentinel™ system for detection of GTCS is comparable to epileptologists reviewing vEEG recordings.

The system, which collects continuous surface electromyography (sEMG) and audio data via a device strapped to the bicep, is currently under review by the FDA.

The device algorithm continuously compares recorded surface EMG signals to the baseline sample of muscle activity. (GTC seizures are signalled with sustained activation of multiple frequency bands [30 to 40 Hz, 130 to 240 Hz, 300 to 400 Hz] of EMG activity.)

Quantitative review of sEMG may be a useful tool for defining motor components of epileptic and nonepileptic motor recruitment during seizures.

In this phase III double-blind controlled trial over 7800 hours of sEMG and vEEG data was reviewed for the 136 participants admitted to 11 epilepsy monitoring units in the U.S. Sensitivity to identify GTCS, when compared to vEEG review, was 100% CI (85-100), with false positive GTCS detection occurring at a rate of 1.4 false positives per 24 hours.

The device was able to alert patients of GTCS an average of 14 +/- 5 seconds after onset.

Neurologists may use this data to identify components of motor manifestation during GTCS or other times of interest reported by a patient. The device will not interfere with activities of daily living, and free patients of the stigma of epileptic seizure monitoring devices.

Reference:

Cavazos JE, Girouard M, Halford J, et al. Abstract 3.088. Automated EMG based Seizure Detection and Quantification for the Home and the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit: A Prospective Multicenter Study. Presented at: American Epilepsy Society Annual Meeting; Dec. 4-8, 2015; Philadelphia.

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