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. 2022 Apr 28:9:848604.
doi: 10.3389/fvets.2022.848604. eCollection 2022.

Detection of Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizures in Dogs With a Seizure Detection System Established Using Acceleration Data and the Mahalanobis Distance: A Preliminary Study

Junya Hirashima  1 , Miyoko Saito  1 , Tsukasa Kuriyama  1 , Taketo Akamatsu  1 , Minoru Yokomori  1
Affiliations

Detection of Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizures in Dogs With a Seizure Detection System Established Using Acceleration Data and the Mahalanobis Distance: A Preliminary Study

Junya Hirashima et al. Front Vet Sci. .

Abstract

Caregivers of dogs with epilepsy experience severe stress due to unpredictable seizures. Hence, they feel the need for a better management strategy. A seizure detection system (SDS), which can identify seizures and provide notifications to caregivers immediately, is required to address this issue. The current study aimed to establish a wearable automatic SDS using acceleration data and the Mahalanobis distance and to preliminarily investigate its feasibility among dogs. A generalized tonic-clonic seizure (GTCS) was targeted because it is the most common type of seizure and can have serious consequences (i.e., status epilepticus). This study comprised three phases. First, the reference datasets of epileptic and non-epileptic activities were established using acceleration data of GTCSs in 3 dogs and daily activities in 27 dogs. Second, the GTCS-detecting algorithm was created using the reference datasets and was validated using other acceleration data of GTCSs in 4 epileptic dogs and daily activities in 27 dogs. Third, a feasibility test of the SDS prototype was performed in three dogs with epilepsy. The algorithm was effective in identifying all acceleration data of GTCSs as seizures and all acceleration data of daily activities as non-seizure activities. Dogs with epilepsy were monitored with the prototype for 48-72 h, and three GTCSs were identified. The prototype detected all GTCSs accurately. A false positive finding was not obtained unless the accelerometer was displaced. Hence, a method that can detect epileptic seizures, particularly GTCSs, was established. Nevertheless, further large-scale studies must be conducted before the method can be commercialized.

Keywords: Mahalanobis distance; accelerometer; canine; dog; epilepsy; seizure detection; wearable device.

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Conflict of interest statement

The patent of the seizure detection method and monitoring system in this manuscript has been granted and registered. Japanese Patent No. 6193613. The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The accelerometer (TSND121, ATR-Promotions) and its position on the dogs. The width of the device was 37 mm; height, 46 mm; depth, 12 mm; and weight, 22 g (A). The accelerometer was placed on the interscapular region with the harness (A,B). The X-axis was craniocaudal; the Y-axis, lateral; and the Z-axis, dorsoventral (A,B).
Figure 2
Figure 2
The flowchart of this study, which comprised three phases: creation of the reference datasets in the first phase, validation of the algorithm in the second phase, and feasibility testing of the prototype of the seizure detection system in the final phase.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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