Signal Processing Research and Consultancy Group

	Profile

The mission of the signal Processing Research and Consultancy Group (SPRC) is to undertake fundamental research in time-frequency signal processing with biomedical applications, such as neonatal seizure treatment and prevention.

Biomedical Signal Processing Research

Seizure in the newborn is a result of central nervous system dysfunction. It is generated by a synchronous discharge of neurons in the brain. Studies have shown that newborns experiencing seizure have a higher mortality rate (between 21% and 55%) and a higher chance of severe handicaps (between 38% and 55%) than normal infants.

A successful automatic seizure detection technique will permit the neonatologist to diagnose, study and eventually treat the symptoms and causes of seizure. In addition, research based on the data provided by the seizure detection tool may reduce the mortality and disability rates of newborns with seizure.

The SPRC has had several collaborative grants with the Perinatal Research Centre, to study the various aspects of electroencephalogram (EEG) seizure in the newborn. In 15 years of research over $1.5 million has been granted in the specific areas of Seizure Detection in the Newborn and Newborn EEG Simulation.

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