Ming-Zher Poh, Tobias Loddenkemper, Nicholas C. Swenson, Shubhi Goyal, Joseph R. Madsen, Rosalind W. Picard,

Abstract

We present a novel method for monitoring sympathetic nervous system activity during epileptic seizures using a wearable sensor measuring electrodermal activity (EDA). The wearable sensor enables long-term, continuous EDA recordings from patients. Preliminary results from our pilot study suggest that epileptic seizures induce a surge in EDA. These changes are greater in generalized tonic-clonic seizures and reflect a massive sympathetic discharge. This paper offers a new approach for investigating the relationship between epileptic seizures and autonomic alterations.