ABSTRACT

A method for computerized detection of the effect of heat stress on sleep-EEG has been
investigated and tested on prerecorded data from a range of subjects. The approach presented herein is
centered around Fourier transform, Fuzzy Inference system (FIS) and Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Interface
System (ANFIS). Earlier studies based on stress induced variations in frequency and power of sleep
stages have been studied and found to be very much significant for the subjects under different
physiological conditions. These physiological changes are reflected profoundly in the sleep-EEG and
differ in case of Acute and chronic heat stress.
Stress is an adaptive response to changes or challenges in the animal’s environment involving
a variety of interlocking anatomical, physiological, biochemical, immunological and behavioral
adaptation mechanisms in an attempt to maintain a state of equilibrium. Stress stimuli are either
external or internal environmental factors, which evoke the stress response. Environmental heat is one
of the well-known stressors to mankind. The problems of heat-afflicted illness are receiving increased
importance in view of the current estimates of global warming and its impact on biological systems.
The recent literatures indicate that central nervous system (CNS) is highly vulnerable to systemic
hyperthermia induced by whole body heating on conscious animals. This study has been conducted on
an animal model of heat stress (for both acute and chronic) to confirm the effects of hot environmental
stress on the brain electrophysiological signals or electroencephalogram (EEG).
The conventional long term paper recording of EEG signals following heat stress is not of
much diagnostic value. So, computer and digital signal processing tools have been used to quantify the
EEG signals for all three sleep-wake stages after acute and chronic heat stress. Since long-term EEG
recordings, in addition to other two channels of electrophysiological signals, EOG (Electrooculogram)
and EMG (Electromyogram), reflect the variations in sleep-wake states, the changes in sleep
parameters following acute as well as chronic stress were also observed. Further, to reduce the labor
involved in the manual sleep staging and to analyze stressful events, Fuzzy Interface System (FIS)
have been designed for the computerized recognition of different sleep-wake states and the changes
occurred in EEG signals due to exposure to high environmental heat.

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