Brain Stethoscope Turns Seizures Into Music
What started out as an artistic pursuit quickly turned into a
scientific purpose as two professors from Stanford University realized
their musical recordings of brain activity could be used to identify
seizures.
Using electrodes to tap electrical activity in patients’
brains, music professor Chris Chafe and neurology professor Josef
Parvizi were able to create audio electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings
of both normal brain activity and a seizure state. The electrical spikes
of rapidly firing neurons were set to music, specifically to a tone
that resembled a human voice, as a way for listeners to not only
empathize with the patient, but to have a better understanding of what
happens to the brain during a seizure.
During the state of seizure, the tones become more pronounced
and their tempo becomes chaotic “We could instantly differentiate
seizure activity from non-seizure states with just our ears,” Chafe said
in a university news release. “It was like turning a radio dial from a
static-filled station to a clear one.”
Since some seizures can occur without any immediate, behavioral
symptoms, Chafe and Parvizi got an idea: What if this real time brain
data could be used by caregivers for people with epilepsy to hear and
recognize when undetected seizures are happening?
“Someone — perhaps a mother caring for a child — who hasn’t
received training in interpreting visual EEGs can hear the seizure
rhythms and easily appreciate that there is a pathological brain
phenomenon taking place,” Parvizi said.
While the duo’s so-called “brain stethoscope” shows real
promise, it’s a ways off from becoming a clinical reality. “We’ve really
just stuck our finger in there,” Chafe said. “We know that the music is
fascinating and that we can hear important dynamics, but there are
still wonderful revelations to be made.”
Chafe and Parvizi plan to launch a version of the brain
stethoscope next year at Stanford’s Cantor Arts Center, where visitors
will be able to try out the device. In the meantime, have a listen to
the their haunting debut recording.