A novel approach to detecting epileptic patients: complex network-based EEG classification

Abstract Detection of epileptic seizures is important for early diagnosis and treatment. It is known that the behavioral patterns of the brain in electroencephalogram (EEG) signals have huge and complex fluctuations. Diagnosing epilepsy by analyzing signals are costly process. Various methods are used to classify epileptic seizures. However, the inadequacy of these approaches in classifying signals makes it difficult to diagnose epilepsy. Complex network science produces effective solutions for analyzing interrelated structures. Using methods based on complex network analysis, it is possible to EEG signals analyze the relationship between signals and perform a classification process. In this study proposes a novel approach for classifying epileptic seizures by utilizing complex network science. In addition, unlike the studies in the literature, classification processes were carried out with lower dimensional signals by using 1-s EEG signals instead of 23.6-s full-size EEG signals. Using the topological properties of the EEG signal converted into a complex network, the classification process has been performed with the Jaccard Index method. The success of the classification process with the Jaccard Index was evaluated using Accuracy, F1 Score, Recall, and K-Fold metrics. In the results obtained, the signals of individuals with epileptic seizures were separated with an accuracy rate of 98.15%.