Deep Convolutional Neural Network for Brain Age Prediction from EEG

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for predicting brain age from EEG signals rely on traditional machine learning algorithms, which do not fully leverage modern deep learning techniques, resulting in limited accuracy and incomplete consideration of temporal and spatial features in brain activity analysis.

Innovation Solution

A deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) architecture is employed to process and analyze resting-state EEG data, incorporating data augmentation and channel rolling techniques to automatically extract spatiotemporal features, and model attention mechanisms for improved brain age prediction, utilizing both eyes-open and eyes-closed states for enhanced accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional machine learning algorithms are used for brain age prediction from EEG signals, then the implementation is simpler and requires less computational resources, but the prediction accuracy and ability to capture spatiotemporal features are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrain age prediction accuracyVSAvoidmodel architecture complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional machine learning algorithms with a deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) architecture. This substitution enables the system to automatically extract spatiotemporal features from EEG signals through convolutional operations, significantly improving brain age prediction accuracy while capturing complex neural patterns that traditional methods miss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms 1D EEG time-series signals into 2D spectrogram representations using short-time Fourier transform (STFT). This dimensional transformation allows the DCNN to apply spatial convolution operations to temporal data, enabling simultaneous capture of frequency and temporal features that were previously inaccessible to standard CNN architectures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If deep convolutional neural networks are employed to automatically extract spatiotemporal features, then the prediction accuracy improves significantly, but the computational resources and training time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrain age prediction accuracyVSAvoidcomputational resource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs short-time Fourier transform (STFT) to convert time-domain EEG signals into frequency-domain spectrograms before feeding them to the DCNN. This preliminary transformation extracts essential spectral features in advance, reducing the computational burden on the neural network during training and inference while preserving critical spatiotemporal patterns

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides EEG signals into overlapping segments and applies STFT to each segment independently. This segmentation approach enables the DCNN to process manageable chunks of data with localized temporal and frequency information, improving training efficiency while maintaining the ability to capture dynamic brain states across the entire recording

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Loss of information

If only chronological age is considered in brain age prediction, then the analysis is straightforward, but it fails to detect accelerated brain aging and cognitive dysfunctions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrain aging informationVSAvoidanalysis method complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces brain age prediction error (BPDE) as an intermediary metric that compares predicted brain age with chronological age. This intermediary measure serves as a biomarker to detect accelerated or delayed brain aging, enabling the identification of cognitive dysfunctions and neurological conditions that would be invisible when considering only chronological age

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the raw EEG signal characteristics into a derived parameter (brain age) that reflects the functional state of the brain. By comparing this derived parameter with chronological age, the system detects deviations indicating pathological aging processes, effectively converting complex neural patterns into clinically interpretable biomarkers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20240156414A1Method for Predicting Age from Resting-State Scalp EEG Signals Using Deep Convolutional Neural Networks
Publication Date: 2024.05.16 NEUROSCIENCE SOFTWARE INC DBA BRAINIFY AI
  • US20240156414A1 patent drawing
  • US20240156414A1 patent drawing
  • US20240156414A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A method developed for predicting brain age of a human subject as an output of a deep learning model trained on resting state EEG data, which is when the brain is not performing any strenuous mental activity. To improve accuracy, resting state may be measured with both the eyes opened and closed. By automatically extracting relevant EEG result features, a deep learning model is used to calculate the brain age based on the certain markers in the EEG recordings. The primary embodiment of the invention uses a cloud-based service to implement the deep learning algorithm, data augmentation, channel rolling, and model attention highlight algorithms to identify and highlight EEG segments that the model uses for predictive purposes.