A “stethoscope” for the brain allows even untrained observers to detect seizures — just by listening to brain waves.
Researchers at Stanford Univ. have developed a way to use a computer synthesizer to convert the electrical activity of the brain into sound. These sound waves provide an indication of silent seizures — disruptions in the brain’s electrical activity that do not involve visible convulsions.
As many as 90% of patients in an intensive care unit may have silent seizures, says Josef Parvizi, a neurologist at the Stanford Univ. Medical Center. The seizures can be detected by electroencephalography (EEG), which involves placing electrodes on the patient’s scalp, but there is often a delay of several hours between the completion of the EEG and an interpretation of the EEG readout by a trained neurologist.
About nine years ago, after listening to an experimental concert by the Kronos Quartet that involved sounds...
Would you like to access the complete CEP News Update?
No problem. You just have to complete the following steps.
You have completed 0 of 2 steps.
-
Log in
You must be logged in to view this content. Log in now.
-
AIChE Membership
You must be an AIChE member to view this article. Join now.
Copyright Permissions
Would you like to reuse content from CEP Magazine? It’s easy to request permission to reuse content. Simply click here to connect instantly to licensing services, where you can choose from a list of options regarding how you would like to reuse the desired content and complete the transaction.
