EEG-Based Depression Detection Using Machine

Learning A Comprehensive Framework for

Scalable and Objective Mental Health Diagnostics

Name-: Anjali Nalawade

Dept. name of organization Name-:Sharvari Phalke
(of Affiliation)-:Electronics & Tele- Dept. name of organization Name-: Khushal Deokar
communication (of Affiliation)-:Electronics & Tele- Dept. name of organization
name of organization communication (of Affiliation)-:Electronics & Tele-
(of Affiliation)-:Jspm’s Rajarshi name of organization communication
shahu college of engineering (of Affiliation)-:Jspm’s Rajarshi name of organization
City, Country-:pune,India shahu college of engineering (of Affiliation)-:Jspm’s Rajarshi shahu
Email address -: City, Country-:pune,India college of engineering
[email protected] Email address -: City, Country-:pune,India
[email protected] Email address -:
[email protected]
ABSTRACT: Depression is a widespread mental health corona, in a non-invasive manner. Certain studies have
disorder that affects millions of individuals around the demonstrated that some of the EEG biomarkers such as alpha
world and is characterized by severe impairment in asymmetry, particularly in the frontal lobe, and changes of
cognitive, emotional and physical functioning. Places theta and beta waves are consistent with depressive states.
Early identification of depression is essential but barriers These biomarkers have been shown to correlate with
such as the subjective nature of traditional diagnostic underlying neural dysfunctions that are related to affective and
approaches are present. In this regard both the institution cognitive processing, providing a good basis for the objective
and the individual can benefit from establishing the diagnosis of depression at some reasonable level.
diagnosis objectively by electroencephalography. This
work seeks to develop a cost effective and flexible system On top of this, EEG together with various types of machine
for the detection of depression through the use of EEG learning has made it possible to make a significant shift in the
signals and machine learning. The framework consists of area of mental health diagnostics. Machine learning algorithms
the following components: preprocessing of EEG data, are capable of parsing dense and intricate EEG data, spotting
estimation of biomarkers such as alpha waves, feature signs related to depression, and distinguishing individuals with
selection methods which include SelectKBest. greater levels of accuracy. Support Vector Machines (SVM),
Classification algorithms are Support Vector Machine Random Forest, and Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN)
(SVM) and Random Forest, and the problem of class algorithms can perform well on large datasets and derive useful
imbalance was solved using the Synthetic Minority Over- information from neural signals. Meanwhile, we note in
sampling Technique (SMOTE). The proposed system is addition that existing systems have a number of challenges
able to reach high accuracy and reliability for automated including class imbalance present in datasets, feature
classification with the view of determining the potential of redundancy, and the requirements of deep learning techniques.
such systems in early attempts to detect depression. This This research offers an innovative model of depression
includes the integration of technology into mental health identification based on EEG signals and objectives. The major
diagnostics with plans to make the best use of multimodal contribution has three interrelated parts that are the image
information and make it possible to use the system in real segmentation in a proper manner, efficient feature extraction,
time. and application of sacrosanct algorithms. The method includes
Keywords: Depression assessment, electroencephalogram cleaning and normalizing the EEG readings, identifying
signals, Artificial intelligence, Asymmetry of alpha waves, important parameters such as alpha asymmetry, and using
Support Vector Machine (SVM), Random Forest, Feature feature selection methods like a SelectKBest and Minimum
selection, SMOTE, Mental health evaluation, Depression Redundancy Maximum Relevance (MRMR). Moreover, few
diagnosis in real-time. methods for tackling the imbalanced datasets will be
implemented in order to guarantee an accurate assessment of
I. INTRODUCTION the model, one of which is the Synthetic Minority Over-
sampling Technique (SMOTE). The metrics include accuracy,
Depression is the fourth most common disorder in the world precision, recall, and F1-score, and the models include those
and the most debilitating in all senses. More than 300 based on Selected Vector Machines and CNNs.
million people suffer from depression worldwide. It is
typified by prolonged episodes of negative affectivity; for Therefore, the goal of this thesis is to extend previous works
instance, low mood, disinterest in the activities of life, emphasizing on the combination of neural correlates and
feelings of worthlessness, thought disturbances, which can machine learning techniques, into building an efficient and
completely disrupt ones social, work, and personal life. In effective system for depression diagnosis. The study also
its extreme form depression may correspond with suicidal discusses the implementation of additional sources of data (text
thoughts or attempts and therefore early intervention or spoken language) as other means measure improvement in
points becomeimportant. As per the World Health the accuracy of the diagnosis. Hence, this work accelerates the
Organisation, depression cuts across the socioeconomic metamorphosis of diagnostic tools in mental illness through
status, age and gender, and emerges as one of the most technology which further helps in improving the early stage of
common disabilities in the world. care provided to the patients.

In spite of being a common disorder, it is often difficult to II. LITERATURE REVIEW

diagnose depression. The procedures and techniques for
assessing and diagnosing depression employ a series of The incidence of depression and the difficulty with which it is
clinical interviews, and self-report instruments such as the diagnosed precisely have driven huge research into objective
Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) and Beck Depression and automated diagnostic systems. This section elaborates on
Inventory (BDI). Even though these instruments are some of the important studies carried out around depression
commonplace, they are by their nature dependent and detection, with some focused-on EEG, while other machine
subjective to how well the patient communicates the learning techniques are used to highlight gaps in this study.
necessary symptoms and how well the clinician interprets 1. Limitation of Traditional Diagnostic Procedures
them. Moreover, with stigma attached, fear of being judged,
and lack of information only compounds this problem of Traditional diagnostic methods like clinical interviews and
under diagnosis and delay in treatment. This is wonderfully self-reported questionnaires (e.g., PHQ, BDI) are thus
telling of the fact that there is an immense need for such subjective and influenced by biases. Stigama and
diagnostic modalities that are objective, can be easily scaled underreporting are often obstacles for the patients to either
and can be applied for everyone. seek help or adequately convey their symptoms. These
conditions set a backdrop against which the critical need for
Electroencephalography (EEG) has developed as a helpful objective diagnostic tools can circumvent these drawbacks
tool for dealing the limitations mentioned above. EEG is a while ensuring reliability and consistency in such assessments.
technique which is able to monitor the electrical activity of
the brain through activity at the surface of the scalp using 2. EEG in Depression Detection
EEG has emerged as a very promising tool for objective Select Best and Minimum Redundancy Maximum
mental healthcare diagnostics. Real-time recordings of Relevance (MRMR), identify the most informative
electrical brain activity provide insight into neural features that will enhance the performance of a
dysfunctions associated with depression. model.Algorithmic Improvements: Ensemble methods and
Some biomarkers associated with the diagnosis of hybrid models combine strengths from several algorithms
depression with respect to EEG: for improved classification.Multimodal Approaches: By
Alpha wave asymmetry: In all cases of depression, integrating EEG data with natural language processing
individuals exhibit decreased alpha activity in the left (NLP) or behavioural data,
frontal lobe and increased activity on the right. one gets insight into mental health that is holistic but
Theta and beta wave abnormalities: Abnormalities in the still remains relatively unexplored and understudied.
theta and beta frequencies are related to cognitive
impairment and emotional regulation in a depressed state. 6. Contributions of This Study

Significance: EEG biomarkers give an objective basis to a This study builds upon previous studies while at the same time
diagnosis of depression, reducing dependence on subjective bridging several gaps by:
assessments. Application of advanced preprocessing and feature selection
techniques to improve EEG features for machine learning.
3. Machine Learning for Depression Detection The use of SMOTE to address class imbalance in order to allow
for fair clinical evaluation of the machine learning models.
The application of algorithms of machine learning to the Conducting a performance comparison of several algorithms
interpretation of EEG data is unprecedented in the sense that (SVM, Random Forests, and CNN) so as to pinpoint the exact
an understanding of intricate patterns such as the one’s methodology that worked best.
denoting depression is possible. Important studies include: Exploring the possibility of real-time applications and further
Support Vector Machines (SVM): Achieved greater integration of multimodal data sources into one.
accuracy of classifying patients as having or not having
depressive states based on EEG features. Random Forest III. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY:
(RF): Useful in feature selection and classification, resistant
to overfitting.Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs): This part shows the systematic approach taken to Develop an
Utilize deep features directly obtained from raw EEG EEG-based depression detection system with the help of
signals and are capable of independent recognition of machine learning methods. It can be divided into the following
patterns without any pre-processing.K-Nearest Neighbours major stages: data acquisition, preprocessing, feature
(KNN): Enables easy and understandable classification, but extraction, feature selection, model building, evaluation, and
when applied to large data and high dimensional features, deployment.
the effectiveness is low. Algorithm Findings Limitation
4. Limitations of Existing Systems Approach

It is true that systems that try to detect depression using Multiwavelet High accuracy Small dataset
EEG signals have some promise in clinical settings Transform, in emotion size, not
However: SVM classification depression-
using EEG specific
1. Classes Not Well Distributed: There is a lack of
depressed samples, and hence, there is a modelling Random Forest, Reliable Limited dataset,
bias. Such techniques like SMOTE (Synthetic KNN classification of no real-time
Minority Over- sampling Technique) however in not depressive states application
used in the majority. Convolutional High accuracy Requires large
2. Feature Selection: A number of features are utilized Neural with deep datasets,
without perhaps the feature selection method and the Networks learning models computationally
significance of a number of EEG parameters may (CNN) for EEG data expensive
not even be recognized. Random Forest, Effective No integration
3. Low Population Samples: There are multiple Decision Trees classification with multimodal
research studies which have a low sample size and using EEG data, not real-
have the tendency of being ethnically and features time
geographically located towards one population race. Ensemble Improved Integration
4. Offline Processing: Most of the currently available Learning, accuracy with challenges and
models don’t cater for real time due to their use of Gradient multimodal data limited dataset
offline processing. Boosting (EEG, speech, variety
text)
5. Data Sources: Very few studies have been able to
use EEG and integrate it with data from speech or SVM, Feature High accuracy Limited
text. Engineering in stress and generalizability
depression across
5. Advances and Research Gaps detection populations

Recently, studies have dedicated efforts to addressing Table 1 Summary Table Of Previous Work
these limitations:
Advanced Preprocessing: Noise removal and
normalization techniques ensure great quality of EEG
signals.Feature Selection Techniques: Methods, such as
 robustness in high-dimensional spaces.Random Forest
(RF): It is effective for feature selection and preventing
overfitting.CNNs: Get complex patterns from raw EEG
signals.Data Split: 70% for training, 15% for validation,
and 15% for testing
Class Imbalance Handling: Synthetic Minority Over-
sampling Technique SMOTE is applied for
underrepresented classes to balance training
6. Model Evaluation The trained models are evaluated
based on multiple metrics to ensure that the model is
reliable and robust.Accuracy: The percentage of correct
predictions.
Precision: Positive predictions that are correct.
Recall: True positives out of all actual positives.
F1-Score: Harmonic mean of precision and recall.
Fig 1. Confusion Matrix showcasing model performance
ROC-AUC: The model's ability to discriminate between
1. Data Collection classes across different thresholds.
Good-quality EEG data is essential for training and
testing the depression detection system. 7. Deployment
Sources: EEG data is collected from public datasets or
clinical studies with depressed patients and healthy The final model is put into real world application:Platform:
controls. A web or mobile interface for healthcare professionals
Device: EEG signals are recorded using non-invasive and researchers.User Interface: Simplified input system for
devices with standard electrode placements according to EEG data and instant classification results.Monitoring:
the 10-20 system. Continuous updates with new data to improve
Data Size: Datasets contain hundreds of samples to accuracy over time.
ensure a balance between depressive and non-
depressive cases.
Annotations: Depressive or non-depressive labels are
given for training supervised learning.
2. Preprocessing
It is necessary for the quality and the usability of the
EEG data in a machine learning manner.Noise Removal:
Eliminates artefacts from blinks, movement of muscles
and external interference due to the usage of
filters.Segmentation: The whole EEG recording needs to
be split into manageable epochs for
analysis.Normalization: The EEG signal is scaled
between a certain uniform range across features.Data
Augmentation: Techniques such as flipping and adding
noise are applied to create diversity in the dataset.
3. Feature Extraction The most relevant EEG features
are extracted to capture patterns indicative of
depression.Statistical Features: Mean, standard deviation,
and variance of EEG signals.Spectral Features: Power
spectral density of alpha, beta, and theta
waves.Biomarkers: Metrics such as asymmetry in alpha
waves and activity in the frontal lobe, highly related to
states of depression.
4. Feature Selection Feature selection reduces
dimensionality and improves model performance by
concentrating on the most relevant features.SelectKBest:
Statistical tests select features most correlated with
depression labels.
MRMR (Minimum Redundancy Maximum Relevance):
It ensures that the selected features are informative
and not redundant.
5. Model Training Machine learning models are trained to
classify depressive and non-depressive
statesAlgorithms Used:
Support Vector Machine (SVM): It is known for its
 for the detection of depression.The performance
metrics used in the evaluation are accuracy
, precision, recall, F1-score, and ROC-AUC.
1. Performance of Machine Learning Models
The models trained on EEG data exhibited the following
results:

Model Accura Precisi Reca F1- ROC

cy on ll Scor -
e AUC
Support 89.3% 88.5% 87.2 87.8 91.0
Vector % % %
Random 91.5% 90.8% 89.7 90.2 92.4
Forest % % %
Convolutio 93.2% 92.7% 91.5 92.1 94.0
nal Neural % % %
Networks
(CNN)
Table 2: Performance of Machine Learning Models

2. Comparative Analysis
SVM: Performed well with high accuracy and a
balanced F1-score, demonstrating its robustness in
handling high-dimensional EEG data.Random Forest:
Showed better performance than SVM, particularly in
recall and ROC-AUC, indicating its ability to identify
depressive cases effectively.CNN: Outperformed
traditional models by leveraging deep learning for
feature extraction, achieving the highest accuracy and
ROC-AUC values.
3. Effect of Feature Selection
Feature selection techniques such as SelectKBest and
MRMR improved model performance by reducing
feature redundancy and enhancing classification
accuracy. Models trained with selected features showed
a 2– 4% improvement in accuracy compared to models
trained with all features.

fig 2. General Flow of Framework

IV. RESULTS:
The results of this study confirm the effectiveness of using EEG
signals and machine learning techniques
Fig 3. Training and Test Accuracy plot.
 4. Impact of Class Imbalance Handling SVM: Provided competitive results with lower computational
overhead, making it suitable for scenarios with limited
Applying SMOTE to handle class imbalance resulted in a resources.Random Forest: Demonstrated strong
significant improvement in recall and F1-score, ensuring the performance in feature importance analysis but lagged
model’s ability to identify depressive cases without bias. slightly behind SVM and CNN in terms of accuracy.
3. Real-World Applicability
5. Key Observations Scalability: The framework’s modular design ensures
Alpha Wave Asymmetry: This feature consistently appeared as scalability, making it adaptable to different datasets and
one of the most informative biomarkers for depression populations.Real-Time Deployment: Integration into
classification.Real-Time Potential: The trained models web and mobile applications enables real-time use,
demonstrated sufficient computational efficiency, making enhancing accessibility for clinicians and
them suitable for real-time deployment. researchers.Objectivity: By leveraging EEG
biomarkers, the system provides an objective alternative
V. DISCUSSION: to traditional diagnostic methods, reducing reliance on
subjective self-reports.
1. Key Findings
4. Limitations

High Classification Accuracy: The framework achieved an Dataset Size and Diversity: The study was limited by
overall accuracy of over 94% with CNNs, showcasing the the availability of large, diverse datasets. This may
efficacy of deep learning in capturing complex patterns in affect the generalizability of the model across different
EEG signals.Feature Relevance: Features such as alpha demographics and cultural contexts.Single Modality:
wave asymmetry and theta wave activity significantly The reliance solely on EEG data excludes other
contributed to the classification, aligning with existing potentially valuable modalities, such as speech, text, or
research that identifies these biomarkers as indicators of behavioral data.Computational Requirements: Deep
depression.Effectiveness of Preprocessing: Noise removal learning models like CNNs demand significant
and normalization played a pivotal role in improving signal computational resources, which may pose challenges
quality, directly enhancing model performance.Addressing for deployment in resource- constrained environments.
Class Imbalance: The use of SMOTE effectively balanced
5. Future Directions
the dataset, ensuring robust recall values for minority classes
(depressed samples). This highlights the importance of Multimodal Integration: Combining EEG with other
addressing imbalanced data in mental health diagnostics. modalities, such as facial expressions, voice patterns, or
text analysis, could improve diagnostic accuracy and
provide a more comprehensive understanding of
depressive states.Dataset Expansion: Including larger
and more diverse datasets can enhance the model’s
robustness and generalizability.Model Optimization:
Exploring lightweight neural architectures or hybrid
models could balance performance and computational
efficiency for broader adoption.Real-Time Feedback:
Enhancing the deployment system to provide actionable
insights and real-time feedback for clinicians could
improve clinical decision- making.

VI. EXPERIMENTAL SETUP:

Hardware Configuration:
Fig 4. F1 Scores by Class.
CPU: Intel Core i7 or equivalent.
2. Comparative Analysis of Algorithms
GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1660 or better (for deep learning
CNNs: Outperformed traditional algorithms (SVM, RF) models).
due to their ability to automatically extract features and
learn non-linear relationships in the data. However, RAM: 16 GB.
CNNs require more computational resources and larger
datasets for optimal performance.
 Environment: Python (v3.8) with libraries like
Scikit-learn, TensorFlow, and PyTorch.
 Software Tools: 6. Experimental Procedure

1. Jupyter Notebook for development and visualization. 1. Data Splitting:

2. Libraries: Numpy, Pandas, Matplotlib, Seaborn, Scikit- o Training Set: 70%

learn, TensorFlow. o Validation Set: 15%
3. EEG Signal Processing: MNE-Python. o Testing Set: 15%
2. Dataset Description
2. Class Imbalance Handling:
Applied Synthetic Minority Over-sampling
Source: Publicly available EEG datasets from clinical Technique (SMOTE) to balance the dataset.
studies.Participants: Data from individuals diagnosed
with depression and healthy controls.Size: 500 samples, split 3. Model Training:
evenly between depressed and non-depressed
groups.Features: Raw EEG signals recorded across Trained three machine learning models: Support
multiple channels (e.g., F3, F4, Cz, Pz).Labels: Binary Vector Machine (SVM), Random Forest (RF),
classification labels—"Depressed" or "Non-Depressed." and Convolutional Neural Network
(CNN).Hyperparameter tuning performed using
3. Preprocessing grid search for SVM and RF.

Artifact Removal:Bandpass filtering (0.5–30 Hz) to 4. Model Evaluation:

remove noise and artifacts.Independent Component
Analysis (ICA) to eliminate eye blinks and muscle Metrics used: Accuracy, Precision, Recall, F1-
score, ROC-AUC.
movements.Segmentation: EEG signals divided
into 2-second epochs.Normalization: Min-max 5. Visualization:
normalization applied to scale features between 0 and 1.
Performance metrics visualized using bar charts
and confusion matrices.
4. Feature Extraction
Frequency Features:Power spectral density (PSD) for 7. Observations
alpha, beta, and theta wave bands.Alpha wave
asymmetry between hemispheres.
CNN demonstrated superior performance with a
Statistical Features:Mean, standard deviation, and classification accuracy of 94.2%.Feature selection
variance of EEG signals. techniques improved SVM and RF performance by
5. Feature Selection approximately 5%.Balancing the dataset using SMOTE
significantly improved recall values for minority classes.
Techniques:SelectKBest to select the top 10 most
relevant features.MRMR (Minimum Redundancy VII. CONCLUSION:
Maximum Relevance) to reduce redundancy and This study presents a robust framework for depression detection
maximize relevance. using EEG signals and machine learning techniques,
addressing the limitations of traditional diagnostic methods.
By leveraging EEG biomarkers such as alpha wave
asymmetry and employing advanced preprocessing, feature
selection, and machine learning

Fig 5. Feature Importance chart for EEG-based depression

detection.
algorithms, the proposed system achieves high classification modality. Future research should explore the integration of
accuracy and reliability. multimodal data sources and expand dataset diversity to
Key findings demonstrate that Convolutional Neural enhance model robustness. Additionally, optimizing model
Networks (CNNs) outperform traditional algorithms like architectures for resource-constrained environments can
Support Vector Machines (SVM) and Random Forest in facilitate broader adoption.
detecting depression from EEG data. The use of techniques In conclusion, this framework demonstrates significant
such as SMOTE to address class imbalance and MRMR for potential as a scalable, objective, and accessible tool for
feature selection further enhances the model's performance mental health diagnostics. By bridging the gap between
and generalizability. The successful integration of the model technology and mental health care, the system offers a
into a real-time application highlights its potential for promising step toward early detection and effective
scalability and accessibility in clinical and research settings. management of depression, ultimately contributing to
Despite these successes, the study acknowledges certain improved patient outcomes and quality of life.
limitations, including dataset size and reliance on a single

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