EEG Analysis

Ryan Berger

Hi there! My name is Ryan Berger, I am from the Bay Area and live in Waimea. I have been conducting research using an Electroencephalogram (EEG) starting my junior year. I started my EEG research by looking at the power spectral density of EEG frequency bands (delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma) on my classmates, friends, and family. I am very passionate about using an EEG to look at brainwaves, understanding and analyzing during different activities including motor functions, meditation, reading, math, and other experiments. I am using my previous knowledge to research using an EEG to communicate with unresponsive patients including (Aphasia, Dementia, and Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome (UWS), and other patients unable to communicate well. I am excited to see where my research goes and give back to the community!

Abstract

(Image form one of my recordings)

Brainwave Reading: (done for each experiment I design & conduct )

The left column is the channel type, which corresponds to one of the headsets 16 channels. Looking at this recording I immediately see a few things, first I see that these are Theta Waves. I also see that the experimentee is awake and see mental activity occurring. I see that cerebrum has been activated (based on column) in both left and right hemispheres. Seeing the distance apart from the jumps, (between 1-2 and 4-5) I rule out the experimentee opening their eyes, being touched, or speaking. I then can hypothesize that the jumps are because of a sound, which was loud at two different times very close together. Therefore my data proves what actually happened during Dr. Bill’s meditation experiment (eyes closed, sitting in a chair, no noise in the room) one of my classmates opened the door, saw us, and closed the door. I use this same analysis to understand all of my recordings, this is a more simple version as some can take me a very long time to understand!

Link to my weblog with weekly updates on research! Ryan’s Weblog

During a reading test

What does EEG mean?

An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a method of studying cognitive processes through recording electrical activity in the brain or brainwaves. An EEG uses scalp electrodes, and each records a separate brainwave pattern.

Milestones

Problem Statement (SEPT 10)

Ryan Berger

9/8/21

Humans in Technology

Problem Statement Template

Example Answers:

WHO?

Who has the problem?

Those who are unable to communicate effectively in the Waimea community.

WHAT?

What is the issue?

Often older people and those who are in Hospice do not have the ability to communicate well with their caretakers. The goal is to make them as comfortable as possible by finding the best way to talk about their past for the older patients to see how this affects their relaxation. This same principle can be applied to other forms of memory loss or trouble with communication like Dementia and Aphasia patients or even those with Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome.

WHY?

Why is this an issue or problem? What pain does a “customer” experience?

There is nothing being done to help these people in our community. This research could help make their time more enjoyable and have a positive benefit to these people and their families.

WHERE?

Where does the problem occur (give context, location, process, etc.)?

In Waimea, at the Waimea Hospice HoʻoNani center and the QNHCH senior unit.

WHEN?

When does the problem occur?

This problem occurs when you get older as everything slows down, it also occurs in Dementia patients, and those with Aphasia patients.

HOW OBSERVED?

How is the customer impacted?

I have volunteered at the Waimea Hospice and seen how hard it can be for some of these people. I have also talked with those at Ho’oNani and seen this first hand and I have spoken to a nurse at QNHCH who works with senior patients.

HOW OFTEN?

How often is this problem experienced by a customer?

This problem can be experienced by the specific demographic mentioned in the What? section. It is a continuous progression and there are various levels to it.

Problem Statement

Often older people and those who are in Hospice do not have the ability to communicate well with their caretakers. This issue occurs often in our community, specifically in the Waimea Hospice HoʻoNani center and the QNHCH senior unit. I have seen this problem first hand when I volunteered at the Waimea Hospice and seen how hard it can be for some of these people. I have also talked with those at Ho’oNani and seen this first hand and I have spoken to a nurse at QNHCH who works with senior patients. In all these cases that I have seen and talked to professionals about, the hardest part of care is communication, as without it caretakers cannot help with specifics. To target this issue the goal is to make those affected as comfortable as possible by finding the best way to talk about their past for the older patients to see how this affects their relaxation. This same principle can be applied to other forms of memory loss or trouble with communication like Dementia and Aphasia patients or even those in a persistent vegetative state. There is nothing being done to help these people in our community. Not only are these people affected but making them more comfortable would benefit their families who feel the loss and hardship of this situation already. Knowing that they are comfortable and their needs are met would help families get through this tough time. This research could help make their time more enjoyable and have a positive benefit to these people and their families. I have looked at examples of using EEG technology with a patient with Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome , looking for a signal in brain activity that shows that there is consciousness. Through EEG research, one could eventually help those in a coma communicate and know when there is still brain activity. This research could help people all over the world who are affected by communication issues and diseases that inhibit communication.

Works Cited

Juskalian, Russ. “The Hunt for Hidden Signs of Consciousness in Unreachable Patients.” MIT Technology Review, MIT Technology Review, 23 Aug. 2021, www.technologyreview.com/2021/08/25/1031776/the-hunt-for-hidden-signs-of-consciousness-in-unreachable-patients/?truid=d7359de9a3931256c662e92a2fafc300&utm_source=the_download&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=the_download.unpaid.engagement&utm_term=&utm_content=09-01-2021&mc_cid=bdc7c21082&mc_eid=5ac654740a.

“Memory, Forgetfulness, and Aging: What’s Normal and What’s Not?” National Institute on Aging, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, www.nia.nih.gov/health/memory-forgetfulness-and-aging-whats-normal-and-whats-not.

Utianski, Rene L, et al. “Electroencephalography in Primary Progressive Aphasia and Apraxia of Speech.” Aphasiology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6860920/.

Pitch (SEPT 29)

Slide Deck

Pitch Video

(my refelction on feedback is in my weblog)

Formal Proposal (OCT 15)

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hhGrw352N0Pm2oA9bGy3KOP9Fd2PUXTMBe0vArH7xN0/preview?authuser=0

Where we are today

What has your team accomplished? What are you most proud of? Tell site viewers some of your project’s latest accomplishments.

Where we are today

What has your team accomplished? What are you most proud of? Tell site viewers some of your project’s latest accomplishments.