DCU and Insight researchers secure Research Ireland Frontiers for the Future funding for Epilepsy sensor project

Epilepsy is a widespread neurological disorder which affects over 50 million people worldwide, including more than 45,000 in Ireland.  The unpredictable nature and the sudden onset of seizures can have an impact on people's quality of life.  Assistance dogs can be trained to recognise the volatile organic compounds, specifically the scents, that people who experience seizures secrete through their skin just prior to experiencing seizures. 

These assistance dogs can also be trained to perform specific behaviour such as a spinning movement to signal when they detect this scent. The new research project undertaken by Prof Smeaton and Prof Ward will look to develop wearable sensors to automatically capture these movements in real time.

These specially designed accelerometer sensors, a type of sensor which is generally designed to detect vibration or acceleration, will be fitted to the dog’s collar. When the onset of seizure can be forecast in this way, alerting the subject and/or his or her carer, they can move into a safe environment or position to minimise self-injury.

The project is a multi-disciplinary collaboration involving Cork charity Irish Dogs for the Disabled, Beaumont Hospital and Epilepsy Ireland. Prof Seaton and Prof Ward are both members of the Insight Centre for Data Analytics at DCU.

The project is one of forty to receive funding today, as part of the Frontiers for the Future programme. The programme is designed to provide opportunities for researchers to conduct highly innovative, collaborative research with the potential to deliver impact.