Detection of spike-wave discharges in the EEG signals of WAG/Rij rats

WAG/Rij rats which have genetic epilepsy are used in experimental studies because of their characteristic resemblance to humans who have absence epilepsy. In the EEG records of these animals, abnormal electroencephalography (EEG) waves of high amplitude, with a duration of a couple of seconds and quasi-periodic signals called spike-wave discharges are observed during epileptic seizures. Spike-wave discharges have to be found, counted and their durations should be computed by the researchers from the EEG records which can be several hours of duration. In this study, investigated properties of the spike-wave discharges for the purpose of automatic detection as well as developed program using these properties are presented.