Method for measuring visual function and visual attention in a continuous performance test

• US 20090009718A1
• Filed: 07/26/2007
• Published: 01/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Computer Psych LLC
• Original Assignee: Computer Psych LLC
• Inventors: Legatt, Michael E.
• Application Number:
  US11/881,175
• Publication Number:
  US 20090009718A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 351/246
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/032 Devices for presenting test symbols or characters, e.g. test chart projectors A61B3/036 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/022 by applying pressure to close blood vessels, e.g. against the skin; Ophthalmodynamometers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• 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

Abstract

The invention comprises a neuropsychological test method designed to measure a test subject'"'"'s variables of visual attention for stimuli believed to preferentially elicit specific visual pathways. Target visual pathways include the magnocellular on/off, parvocellular chromatic red/green, koniocellular blue/yellow, and parvocellular achromatic pathways. Furthermore, the invention computes differential measures between the different stimuli types for diagnostic value. These computations include, but are not limited to, measures believed to elicit non-linear contrast gain control, on versus off pathways, and changes in performance over time. The test displays both target and noise (non-target) stimuli with different apriori probabilities at different stages of the test. The test can capture and analyze physiological measures, isoluminant points and critical flicker fusion points. In accordance with the present invention, a novel method and system called the “Variable Contrast Continuous Performance Test (VC-CPT)” is provided.

Claims

1. A method for administering a test regime to simultaneously measure visual function and visual attention, comprising:

a. applying stimuli believed to preferentially elicit specific visual pathways to a subject,

b. measuring the subject'"'"'s responses to said stimuli, and

c. analyzing said responses by computer program means to measure visual function and visual attention.

2. A method for administering a test regime to measure visual attention and function in accordance with claim 1, wherein performance to stimuli groups are contrasted in order to assess:

a. measures of visual attention, and

b. measures of visual system function.

3. A method for administering a test regime to measure visual attention and function in accordance with claim 1, wherein measuring the responses comprises:

a. electronically recording the critical flicker fusion point during the test,

b. electronically recording galvanic skin response during the test,

c. electronically recording heart rate during the test,

d. electronically recording blood pressure during the test,

e. electronically recording eye movement during the test,

f. electronically recording pupil dilation during the test,

g. electronically recording other biophysical or other measurements, and

h. communicating said recordings to said computer program means.

4. A method for administering a test regime to measure visual attention and function in accordance with claim 1, wherein participant responding can communicated to computer program means via:

a. variable responding (e.g., degree to which a lever is pressed),

b. binary responding (e.g., whether a mouse button is pressed),

c. button-up responding (releasing a pressed button indicates a response),

d. button-down responding (pressing a released button indicates a response), and

e. measurement of a response conclusion (e.g., pressing a button back down in a button-up paradigm).

5. A method for administering a test regime to measure visual attention and function in accordance with claim 1, wherein test stimuli are generated to:

a. specific luminance and contrast levels, rather than pixel gray levels, and

b. if necessary, comprised of multiple luminance levels in order to achieve a desired overall luminance.

6. A method for administering a test regime to measure visual attention and function in accordance with claim 1, wherein analyzing said responses by computer program means comprises:

a. computing raw response variables,

b. computing timing-based variables,

c. computing detection theory variables,

d. each of said variables being computed for each individual pathway,

e. each of said variables being computed for ranges of time, and

f. each of said variables being computed for each a priori probability.

7. A method for administering a test regime to measure visual attention and function in accordance with claim 6, wherein said individual pathways that are preferentially elicited include:

a. magnocellular on,

b. magnocellular off,

c. parvocellular achromatic on,

d. parvocellular achromatic off,

e. parvocellular chromatic red,

f. parvocellular chromatic green,

g. koniocellular blue,

h. koniocellular yellow,

i. non-linear contrast gain controlled aggregate on, and

j. non-linear contrast gain controlled aggregate off.