Application of the Muse portable EEG system to aid in rapid diagnosis of stroke

Objective In this pilot study, we investigated using portable electroencephalography (EEG) as a potential prehospital stroke diagnostic method. Methods We used a portable EEG system to record data from 25 participants, 16 had acute ischemic stroke events, and compared the results of age-matched controls that included stroke mimics. Delta/alpha ratio (DAR), (delta+theta)/(alpha+beta) ratio (DBATR) and pairwise-derived Brain Symmetry Index (pdBSI) were investigated, as well as accelerometer and gyroscope trends. We then made classification trees using TreeBagger to distinguish between different subgroups. Results DAR and DBATR showed an increase in ischemic stroke patients that correlates with stroke severity (p<0.01, partial η 2 = 0.293; p<0.01, partial η 2 = 0.234). pdBSI decreased in low frequencies and increased in high frequencies in patients who had a stroke (p<0.05, partial η 2 = 0. 177). All quantitative EEG measures were significant between stroke patients and controls. Using classification trees, we were able to distinguish between subgroups of stroke patients and controls. Conclusions There are significant differences in DAR, DBATR, and pdBSI between patients with ischemic stroke when compared to controls; results relate to severity. Significance With significant differences between patients with strokes and controls, we have shown the feasibility and utility for the Muse™ EEG system to aid in patient triage and diagnosis as an early detection tool.