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 η2 = 0.293; p<0.01, partial η2 = 0.234). pdBSI decreased in low frequencies and increased in high frequencies in patients who had a stroke (p<0.05, partial η2 = 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. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. ### Funding Statement CMW is supported by a Canadian Institutes of Health Research graduate scholarship. BHB is supported by Alberta Innovates Health Solutions Collaborative Research and Innovations Opportunities and the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Health System Grants. This research was supported by start-up funds from the Faculty of Science at the University of Alberta and an NSERC Discovery Grant (#RES0024267) awarded to KEM. ### Author Declarations I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained. Yes The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below: The Human Research Ethics Office, University of Alberta, Canada, approved ethics for this study All necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived. Yes I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance). Yes I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines and uploaded the relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material as supplementary files, if applicable. Yes Anonymized data will be shared upon request from qualified investigators