DynSeizureGAT: Multi-band Dynamic Graph Attention Network for Interpretable Seizure Detection and Analysis of Drug-Resistant Epilepsy Using SEEG.

Abstract

The dynamic propagation of epileptic discharges complicates Drug-Resistant Epilepsy (DRE) seizure detection using traditional machine learning methods and Stereotactic Electroencephalography (SEEG). Several challenges remain unresolved in prior studies: (1) incomprehensive representations of epileptic brain network features; (2) lacking of flexible and dynamic mechanisms to learn brain network evolving features; and (3) the absence of model mechanisms interpretation corresponds with seizure mechanisms. In response, we propose a novel multi-band dynamic graph attention network, DynSeizureGAT, to detect and analyze DRE seizures with precision and interpretability. Specifically, a seizure network sequence is first constructed by integrating a multi-band directed transfer function matrix and enhanced epileptic index node features. Second, a dynamic graph attention module is integrated to dynamically weigh the contribution of various spatial scales. Third, spatial-spectral-temporal attention mechanisms enhance the model's capacity to better characterize and interpret the ictal and interictal states. Extensive experiments are conducted on the large-scale public clinical SEEG dataset (OpenNeuro). The proposed model demonstrates high seizure detection performance, achieving an average of 94.6% accuracy, 93.4% sensitivity, and 96.4% specificity. In addition, the importance of frequency bands and dynamic abnormal connectivity patterns is successfully quantified and visualized, which contributes most to the explainability. Experimental results indicate that DynSeizureGAT demonstrates strong dynamic propagation feature learning capability, corresponding with seizure propagation mechanisms, and is promising to assist DRE epileptogenic zone localization.