Methods for diagnosing akathisia

• US 20040002636A1
• Filed: 02/20/2003
• Published: 01/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mclean Hospital (Mass General Brigham, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Mclean Hospital (Mass General Brigham, Inc.)
• Inventors: Teicher, Martin H., Palmer, Elsa S.
• Granted Patent: US 6,994,670 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1101 Detecting tremor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1127 using markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/16 Devices for psychotechnics using teaching or educational appliances G09B1/00 - G09B7/00; Testing reaction times ; Devices for evaluating the psychological state
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/165 Evaluating the state of mind, e.g. depression, anxiety
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/168 Evaluating attention deficit, hyperactivity
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4082 Diagnosing or monitoring movement diseases, e.g. Parkinson, Huntington or Tourette
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/92 Computer assisted medical diagnostics

Abstract

Provided are methods for diagnosing the presence, type, or severity of akathisia in a human subject. The methods involve using a computer-based system to assess impairment of certain cognitive and motor functions that are indicative of akathisia.

Claims

1. A method of diagnosing akathisia in a subject comprising the steps of:

(a) placing, in proximity to said subject, (i) a monitor that is connected to a computer, and (ii) a device that is controllable by said subject and that is also connected to said computer;

(b) presenting to said subject instructions with respect to activating said device in response to visual images on said monitor;

(c) presenting to said subject one or more of said visual images on said monitor;

(d) storing in said computer the instances of device activation by said subject; and

(e) scoring the accuracy or response time, or both, of device activation, wherein scoring below a pre-determined level is diagnostic for akathisia.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

(f) using a motion analysis device connected to said computer to record movements of said subject during presentation of said visual images;

(g) storing the record of said movements in said computer;

(h) analyzing said recorded movements for deviations from pre-determined norms; and

(i) using the analysis of step (h) together with the scoring of step (e) in diagnosing akathisia.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said motion analysis device is a video camera.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said camera is an infrared camera capable of detecting an infrared reflective marker.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein at least one infrared reflective marker is placed onto said subject.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said marker is positioned on the head of said subject.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein at least three markers are placed onto said subject.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said markers are positioned on the head, elbow, and shoulders of said subject.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said predetermined level is determined prior to the administration of a substance to the subject.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the substance is a drug.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the drug is selected from an antipsychotic medication, a neuroleptic medication, an antidepressants, and a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein said computer is connected to a second computer via a network and said instructions or said images are conveyed to said subject across the network.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the network is selected from a global computer network, a local area network, a wide area network, an intranet, and an extranet.

14. The method of claim 2, wherein said movements are recorded while said subject is performing a continuous performance task.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein said visual images are selected from the group consisting of symbols, numbers, letters, and shapes.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said subject is instructed to activate said device when a specified image is displayed on said monitor.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein said visual images comprise stars.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said visual images comprise five-pointed stars and eight-pointed stars.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein said subject is instructed to activate said device when a star having a specified number of points is displayed on said monitor.