arXiv:2603.03476q-bio.NCcs.DS2026-03

用字符串算法分析脑电图,发现多动症患者神经活动更重复、结构更简单。

Stringology-Based Motif Discovery from EEG Signals: an ADHD Case Study

  • 将字符串匹配技术用于脑电信号,捕捉时间模式的相对顺序与层级结构。
  • 多动症患者模式出现频率更高,且模式更短、幅度变化更剧烈。
  • 揭示了多动症患者脑电活动在重复性、稳定性与层次结构上的系统差异。

我们提出一种基于字符串学的计算框架,用于分析脑电图(EEG)时间序列,通过高效字符串处理算法系统识别并表征神经信号中的重复时间模式。该框架采用保持顺序的匹配(OPM)和笛卡尔树匹配(CTM),在保持相对排序与层级结构的同时,对幅值缩放具有不变性。此方法提供了精确的时间动态表示,补充了传统的频谱与全局复杂度分析。我们使用公开数据集对多动症(ADHD)患者及匹配对照组的多通道脑电图进行分析。通过OPM和CTM提取并量化了高度重复且群体特异的模式。结果表明,ADHD组的模式频率显著更高,提示神经活动重复性增强;OPM显示其模式更短,梯度不稳定性更强,平均与最大样本间幅值变化更大;CTM进一步显示其层级复杂度降低,表现为树结构更浅、层级更少,尽管模式长度相当。这些发现表明,ADHD相关的脑电改变涉及重复时间模式在结构、稳定性与层级组织上的系统性差异。所提出的字符串学模式框架为神经发育障碍客观生物标志物开发提供了互补的计算工具。

原文摘要 · Abstract (English)

We propose a novel computational framework for analyzing electroencephalography (EEG) time series using methods from stringology, the study of efficient algorithms for string processing, to systematically identify and characterize recurrent temporal patterns in neural signals. The primary aim is to introduce quantitative measures to understand neural signal dynamics, with the present findings serving as a proof-of-concept. The framework adapts order-preserving matching (OPM) and Cartesian tree matching (CTM) to detect temporal motifs that preserve relative ordering and hierarchical structure while remaining invariant to amplitude scaling. This approach provides a temporally precise representation of EEG dynamics that complements traditional spectral and global complexity analyses. To evaluate its utility, we applied the framework to multichannel EEG recordings from individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and matched controls using a publicly available dataset. Highly recurrent, group-specific motifs were extracted and quantified using both OPM and CTM. The ADHD group exhibited significantly higher motif frequencies, suggesting increased repetitiveness in neural activity. OPM analysis revealed shorter motif lengths and greater gradient instability in ADHD, reflected in larger mean and maximal inter-sample amplitude changes. CTM analysis further demonstrated reduced hierarchical complexity in ADHD, characterized by shallower tree structures and fewer hierarchical levels despite comparable motif lengths. These findings suggest that ADHD-related EEG alterations involve systematic differences in the structure, stability, and hierarchical organization of recurrent temporal patterns. The proposed stringology-based motif framework provides a complementary computational tool with potential applications for objective biomarker development in neurodevelopmental disorders.

脑电分析模式发现多动症字符串学

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