Development of an ECG-based algorithm for the identification of autonomic arousals during sleep

Ulm University

Sleep arousals are defined as temporary increases in the EEG frequency.  As the number of arousals increase, it interrupts the continuity of sleep and leads to sleep fragmentation. It is known that sleep arousals are manifested in different ways such as the increase in heart rate or blood pressure. These changes may or may not accompany the EEG arousals but contribute to sleep fragmentation. Such changes are also called autonomic arousals and can be detected with different physiological signals.

In our group, we investigate sleep arousal detection methods with different sensor modalities. One of our projects is the identification of autonomic arousals. Within this project, we investigate the relationship between the autonomic and EEG arousals.

In this project, you will develop a method to detect autonomic arousals with the ECG signal. You will work with simultaneous ECG and EEG data from polysomnography recordings. You will analyze the agreement between the EEG arousals and the autonomic arousals.

For further information please contact Tugce Canbaz by e-mail.

How to apply

To apply for a project, please contact the responsible person via email with your name, email, study field and semester. Please also attach in pdf format your

  • short CV (~1 page),
  • transcripts,
  • previous project reports (if available),
  • and a short motivation (1 paragraph) why this would be the right project for you.

We will then contact you and work out a detailed project description and a learning agreement that are best suitable for you.

We are looking forward working with you!