A deep learning framework with multi-perspective fusion for interictal epileptiform discharges detection in scalp electroencephalogram

Objective. Interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) are an important and widely accepted biomarker used in the diagnosis of epilepsy based on scalp electroencephalography (EEG). Because the visual detection of IEDs has various limitations, including high time consumption and high subjectivity, a faster, more robust, and automated IED detector is strongly in demand. Approach. Based on deep learning, we proposed an end-to-end framework with multi-scale morphologic features in the time domain and correlation in sensor space to recognize IEDs from raw scalp EEG. Main Results. Based on a balanced dataset of 30 patients with epilepsy, the results of the five-fold (leave-6-patients-out) cross-validation shows that our model achieved state-of-the-art detection performance (accuracy: 0.951, precision: 0.973, sensitivity: 0.938, specificity: 0.968, F1 score: 0.954, AUC: 0.973). Furthermore, our model maintained excellent IED detection rates in an independent test on three datasets. Significance. The proposed model could be used to assist neurologists in clinical EEG interpretation of patients with epilepsy. Additionally, this approach combines multi-level output and correlation among EEG sensors and provides new ideas for epileptic biomarker detection in scalp EEG.