In-ear electroencephalography signals in hospitalised patients
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A study of in-ear electroencephalography signals additionally recorded in hospitalised patients already undergoing standard clinical electroencephalography
IRAS ID
324099
Contact name
Gregory Scott
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 1 days
Research summary
Clinical electroencephalography (EEG) – which safely records the brain’s electrical activity from ~20 electrodes affixed to the scalp – is sometimes used in the care of hospitalised patients with impaired conscious level. EEG can help to detect, grade, and monitor abnormal brain activity, and also identify patients who have hidden seizure activity in the brain. However, clinical EEG is often poorly available and resourced, requiring expensive equipment and specialists to acquire and then interpret the signals.
With advances in electronics, there is interest in making miniaturised EEG sensors that could provide lower-cost, more user-friendly, more accessible clinical EEG recording.
We are interested in measuring EEG signals from the ear canal, because if these signals can provide useful information, a small in-ear EEG device could simply and unobtrusively record electrical brain activity from within the ear.
However, it is first important to learn whether EEG electrodes within the ear can provide useful information compared to conventional EEG recorded from across the scalp.
We have recently shown the potential of in-ear EEG recordings in the study of brain activity during sleep, where the nature and quality of signals we recorded were comparable to standard EEG. We have also shown that in-ear EEG can be recorded without harm or discomfort to the wearer.
In this pilot study, in 30 hospitalised patients who are already having a standard clinical EEG as part of their routine clinical care, we will record from in-ear EEG electrodes at the same time. This will allow us to compare the two types of recording (scalp and in-ear) in different ways. The patients will be at Charing Cross Hospital. The study will take place over about six months.
This study could pave the way for development of in-ear EEG devices, which could make EEG more available for the care of patients with impaired conscious level.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/NW/0313
Date of REC Opinion
2 Nov 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion