A novel method for extracting interictal epileptiform discharges in multi-channel MEG: Use of fractional type of blind source separation. Issue 2 (February 2020) - Matsubara, Teppei
Highlights: Blind source separation ( BSST/k ) was applied to interictal epileptic discharges (IEDs) in MEG. BSST/k decomposed variable IEDs into a dominant component with increasing signal-to-noise ratio. Our novel method provided highly accurate detection of IEDs in multi-channel MEG data. Abstract: Objective: Visual inspection of interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) in multi-channel MEG requires a time-consuming evaluation process and often leads to inconsistent results due to variability of IED waveforms. Here, we propose a novel extraction method for IEDs using a T/k type of blind source separation ( BSST/k ). Methods: We applied BSST/k with seven patients with focal epilepsy to test the accuracy of identification of IEDs. We conducted comparisons of the results of BSS components with those obtained by visual inspection in sensor-space analysis. Results: BSST/k provided better signal estimation of IEDs compared with sensor-space analysis. Importantly, BSST/k was able to uncover IEDs that could not be detected by visual inspection. Furthermore, IED components were clearly extracted while preserving spike and wave morphology. Variable IED waveforms were decomposed into one dominant component. Conclusions: BSST/k was able to visualize the spreading signals over multiple channels into a single component from a single epileptogenic zone. BSST/k can be applied to focal epilepsy with a simple parameter setting. Significance: Our novel method was able to highlight IEDs with increased accuracy for identification of IEDs from multi-channel MEG data.