A companion to the preclinical common data elements and case report forms for rodent EEG studies. A report of the TASK3 EEG Working Group of the ILAE/AES Joint Translational Task Force

Abstract

Electroencephalography (EEG) is commonly used in epilepsy and neuroscience research to study brain activity. The principles of EEG recording such as signal acquisition, digitization, and conditioning share similarities between animal and clinical EEG systems. In contrast, preclinical EEG studies demonstrate more variability and diversity than clinical studies in the types and locations of EEG electrodes, methods of data analysis, and scoring of EEG patterns and associated behaviors. The TASK3 EEG working group of the International League Against Epilepsy/American Epilepsy Society (ILAE/AES) Joint Translational Task Force has developed a set of preclinical common data elements (CDEs) and case report forms (CRFs) for recording, analysis, and scoring of animal EEG studies. This companion document accompanies the first set of proposed preclinical EEG CRFs and is intended to clarify the CDEs included in these worksheets. We provide 7 CRF and accompanying CDE modules for use by the research community, covering video acquisition, electrode information, experimental scheduling, and scoring of EEG activity. For ease of use, all data elements and input ranges are defined in supporting Excel charts (Appendix S1).

Keywords: Case report form; Common data elements; EEG; Epilepsy; Guidelines; Preclinical research; Rodent model.

Figure 1

Diagrams showing the application of each CRF module. Module 1, EEG/video data acquisition; module 2, electrodes; module 3, EEG recording schedule/log; module 4, EEG scoring method; module 5, EEG scoring ‐ General information and background activity; module 6, EEG scoring – epileptiform discharges; module 7, EEG scoring – seizures. Blue bars indicate the modules that are filled as single entries for each animal and could be used across animals that enter the same study design, simplifying data entry (e.g., modules 1, 2, 3‐a, 3‐b, 3‐c, 4). Yellow bars indicate modules that need to be filled for each animal either as single or recurrent entry, depending on the study design (e.g., modules 3‐d, 5, 6, 7). The order may be reversed between model induction and electrode implantation and the number of EEG recordings may be single session depending on the study protocol. The use of common templates to describe filled CRF modules that could be frequently recurring within the study may simplify data entry. For example, creating a pre‐filled module 1, 2, and 4 based on the study design may allow re‐use and re‐population of relevant data for multiple animals. Creation of a “typical EEG background” CRF template for controls may also allow re‐use in other animals and files that demonstrate the same background.