Seizure Analysis and Detection In Vivo

Understanding seizure generation, the transition from interictal to ictal states, and its underlying mechanisms requires continuous electrophysiologic monitoring. Though the duration of monitoring may vary from brief experiments over minutes to months of continuous recording, all recording of this nature requires a similar set of hardware and software tools. This chapter reviews the basic setup and requirements for successful continuous EEG monitoring in vivo and provides a set of computational “tools” that our group has found useful for continuous EEG monitoring in the laboratory. These include methods for seizure detection and basic analysis. References are provided for approaches used by groups involved in this kind of recording in animal models of epilepsy and humans. While not a complete “how to” guide for these procedures, this chapter will provide a good start to groups who are interested in performing this type of recording and data analysis.