Hardware for seizure prediction: towards wearable devices to support epileptic people.

This paper presents the hardware developed for the EPILEPSIAE project (www.epilepsiae.eu), focused on epileptic seizure prediction. A portable low power acquisition system for EEG signals, called LTM-EU (Long Term Monitoring), with 64 channels and 2048 Hz sampling rate each and a safe (high isolation) PC interface on a PCIe bus specifically designed for this task, is described. The acquisition system, designed for a rapid commercialization, though used for research purposes, got the CE certification. The signal from the patient, on each channel, is amplified, converted in digital form and stored into a local flash memory (SD-MMC, 4 GB). Data are then formatted into a serial stream at 4 Mb/s and sent through a half-duplex RS485 link to the host where a specifically designed PCIe (BQPCIe) interface receive them and release the information to the OS (Windows or Linux). The amplifier runs with a couple of AA battery for more than 15 hours (300 mW). If a wireless link is established (Bluetooth), a bandwidth limited stream of data (or a subset of channels) is sent for monitoring purposes. The mission is to support the researchers of the consortium with a suitable hardware to have a real time seizure prediction system for algorithms tests. In the experimental phase all algorithms run on a portable PC, wire or wireless connected to the acquisition system.

First-ever stroke incidence and 30-day case fatality in the Sicilian Aeolian archipelago, Italy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Not many data on stroke epidemiology come from studies on islands. This is the first report on a Mediterranean archipelago population. METHODS: Using recommended criteria, from July 1, 1999, to June 30, 2002, information was collected on first-ever stroke and 30-day case fatality in Aeolian island residents (13,431). RESULTS: The overall crude incidence rate was 154 of 100,000 (95% CI, 118 to 197; 128 in men and 180 in women) or 180, 154, and 87, if adjusted to the Italian, European, and world populations, respectively. The 30-day case fatality rate was 24.2% (95% CI, 14.22 to 36.75). CONCLUSIONS: Besides genetic or dietary factors, our results may reflect local, limited possibilities of diagnosis and management for stroke patients.