title: Feasibility study of a caregiver seizure alert system in canine epilepsy.
abstract: A device capable of detecting seizures and alerting caregivers would be a major advance for epilepsy management, and could be used to guide early intervention and prevent seizure-related injuries. The objective of this work was to evaluate a seizure advisory system (SAS) that alerts caregivers of seizures in canines with naturally occurring epilepsy. Four dogs with epilepsy were implanted with a SAS that wirelessly transmits continuous intracranial EEG (iEEG) to an external device embedded with a seizure detection algorithm and the capability to alert caregivers. In this study a veterinarian was alerted by automated text message if prolonged or repetitive seizures occurred, and a rescue therapy protocol was implemented. The performance of the SAS caregiver alert was evaluated over the course of 8 weeks. Following discontinuation of antiepileptic drugs, the dogs experienced spontaneous unprovoked partial seizures that secondarily generalized. Three prolonged or repetitive seizure episodes occurred in 2 of the dogs. On each occasion, the SAS caregiver alert successfully alerted an on call veterinarian who confirmed the seizure activity via remote video-monitoring. A rescue medication was then administered and the seizures were aborted. This study demonstrates the feasibility of a SAS to alert caregivers to the occurrence of prolonged or repetitive seizures and enables rescue medications to be delivered in a timely manner. The SAS may improve the management of human epilepsy by alerting caregivers of seizures, enabling early interventions, and potentially improving outcomes and quality of life of patients and caregivers.
authors: University of Minnesota, College of Pharmacy, Minneapolis, MN, USA. Electronic address: durh0016@umn.edu.
authors: Lisa D
authors: LD
authors: Coles
authors: Edward E
authors: EE
authors: Patterson
authors: W Douglas
authors: WD
authors: Sheffield
authors: Jaideep
authors: J
authors: Mavoori
authors: Jason
authors: J
authors: Higgins
authors: Bland
authors: B
authors: Michael
authors: Kent
authors: K
authors: Leyde
authors: James C
authors: JC
authors: Cloyd
authors: Brian
authors: B
authors: Litt
authors: Charles
authors: C
authors: Vite
authors: Gregory A
authors: GA
authors: Worrell
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017028:Caregivers; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D056902:Clinical Alarms; D003975:Diazepam / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D004285:Dogs; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000295:instrumentation; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D010634:Phenobarbital / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012640:Seizures / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D003975:Diazepam; D010634:Phenobarbital
keywords: Caregiver alert; Device; EEG; Epilepsy; Seizure advisory; Seizure management
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