Highlights-We have examined the long-term characteristics of EEG functional brain networks and their correlations to seizure onset -We show periodicities over multiple time scales in network summative properties (degree, efficiency, clustering coefficient) -We also show that, in addition to average network properties, the same periodicities exist in network topology using a novel measure (graph edit distance), suggesting that specific connectivity patterns recur over time -These periodic patterns were preserved when we corrected for the effects of volume conduction and were found to be of much larger magnitude compared to seizureinduced modulations -For the first time to our knowledge, we demonstrate that seizure onset occurs preferentially at specific phases of the network periodic components, particularly for shorter periodicities (around 3 and 5 hours) -These correlations were nearly absent when examining univariate properties (EEG signal power), suggesting that network-based measures rather than EEG signal-based measures are more tightly coupled with seizure onset -Our findings suggest that seizure detection and prediction algorithms may benefit significantly by taking into account these longer-term variations in brain network properties -As we show strong evidence that shorter network-based periodicities (3-5 hours) are tightly coupled with seizure onset, our results pave the way for further investigation into the pathophysiology of seizure generation mechanisms beyond the well-known effects of circadian rhythms All rights reserved. No reuse allowed without permission.(which was not peer-reviewed) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. (which was not peer-reviewed) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity.The copyright holder for this preprint . http://dx.doi.org/10.1101/221036 doi: bioRxiv preprint first posted online 3
AbstractThe task of automated epileptic seizure detection and prediction, by using non-invasive measurements such as scalp EEG signals or invasive, intracranial recordings, has been at the heart of epilepsy studies for at least three decades. By far, the most common approach for tackling this problem is to examine short-length recordings around the occurrence of a seizure -normally ranging between several seconds and up to a few minutes before and after the epileptic event -and identify any significant changes that occur before or during the event. An inherent assumption in these studies is the presence of a relatively constant EEG activity in the interictal period, which is presumably interrupted by the occurrence of a seizure. Here, we examine this assumption by using long-duration scalp EEG data (ranging between 21 and 94 hours) in patients with epilepsy, based on which we construct functional brain networks. Our results suggest that not only these networks vary over time, but they do so in a periodic fashion, exhibiting multiple periods ranging between around one and 24 hours...