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New EEG trace interpretation method predicts neurological recovery of cardiac arrest patients
11.05.2009
Miikka Ermes (M.Sc., Eng.), Research Scientist from VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland will publicly defend his doctoral thesis presenting methods for analysing human biosignals on 15 May 2009, including innovative methods for the verification of brain damage following cardiac arrest. Up until now, the use of electroencephalography (EEG) in the monitoring of cardiac patients has been limited due to interpretation difficulties.
A study conducted by a multi-disciplinary research team showed that variables derived from EEG traces can be used to predict neurological recovery even within the first 24 hours following cardiac arrest.
The researchers derived variables from the EEG trace which simplified the
interpretation process. The long-term goal of the team is to develop methods
that allow continuous monitoring of neurological recovery at hospitals. This
would allow the health care personnel to promptly respond to changes in the
patient’s brain status.
If blood circulation stops, the
tissue in the patient’s body soon begins to suffer from reduced oxygen
delivery. Brain cells are particularly sensitive to oxygen deprivation, which
explains why even successfully resuscitated patients often sustain
neurological damage. In its mildest form this is manifested as transient
memory or movement disturbances; in the most serious cases, they can cause
permanent unconsciousness.
Basically, an electroencephalogram
(EEG) records the electrical activity of the brain in the same way as an
electrocardiogram (ECG) records heart activity. Interpreting EEG traces is
more difficult, however, since unlike the electrical activity of a regularly
beating heart, the electrical activity of the brain consists of irregular
impulses generated by billions of brain cells. While the applicability of EEG
in predicting neurological recovery has long been known, difficulties in
interpreting the recordings have limited the routine use of EEG in patient
monitoring. Interpretation almost invariably requires consulting a specialist,
which may cause a delay in treatment.
Miikka Ermes will
publicly defend his doctoral thesis “Methods for the Classification of
Biosignals Applied to the Detection of Epileptiform Waveforms and to the
Recognition of Physical Activity” on Friday, 15 May 2009 starting at 12 noon.
The public defence will take place in the Tietotalo Auditorium (room TB219) of
the Tampere University of Technology (TUT), address: Korkeakoulunkatu 1,
Tampere. Professor Georg Dorffner from the Medical University of Vienna
(Austria) will act as the opponent.
The doctoral thesis,
which belongs to the field of signal processing, is available on the Internet
at
http://www.vtt.fi/inf/pdf/publications/2009/P707.pdf
For
further information, please contact:
VTT Technical Research
Centre of Finland,
Miikka Ermes
, Research Scientist, tel. +358 40 5309273