PLAID MOTION RIVALRY FOR DIAGNOSIS OF PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS
First Claim
1. A method for diagnosing a psychiatric disorder, or a predisposition thereto, in a test subject including the step of measuring perceptual alternation in the test subject when exposed to an ambiguous moving image to thereby determine whether said test subject has said psychiatric disorder, or a predisposition thereto.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for diagnosing a psychiatric disorder or, a predisposition thereto, in a test subject is provided, wherein perceptual rivalry is measured in the test subject during exposure to a moving plaid stimulus. The method may include the step of determining an interhemispheric switch rate of the test subject, and comparing the switch rate with a corresponding reference switch rate to diagnose presence or absence of the psychiatric disorder. Particular psychiatric disorder s include mood disorders and schizophrenia. Also provided is use of the diagnostic method in genetic linkage studies for the identification of the molecular defect(s) underlying a psychiatric disorder, and for the identification of compounds which may alleviate the disorder.
15 Citations
36 Claims
- 1. A method for diagnosing a psychiatric disorder, or a predisposition thereto, in a test subject including the step of measuring perceptual alternation in the test subject when exposed to an ambiguous moving image to thereby determine whether said test subject has said psychiatric disorder, or a predisposition thereto.
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15. A method for treating a psychiatric disorder in a patient, said method including the steps of:
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(i) measuring perceptual alternation in the test subject when exposed to an ambiguous moving image, to thereby determine whether said test subject has said psychiatric disorder, or a predisposition thereto; and (ii) if said psychiatric disorder is present, treating said patient. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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- 19. A method for treating a patient in a depressed state including the step of comparing a mean duration of activation of a left brain hemisphere and a mean duration of activation of a right brain hemisphere of a patient exposed to an ambiguous moving image before and after treating said patient to thereby determine the efficacy of said treatment.
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22. An apparatus for diagnosing a psychiatric disorder or a predisposition thereto in a test subject, said apparatus comprising:
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(a) a display for exposing the test subject to an ambiguous moving image; and (b) means for measuring perceptual alternation in said test subject. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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- 28. A method for identifying a candidate therapeutic agent for alleviating, ameliorating or otherwise treating a psychiatric disorder or one or more symptoms thereof, said method including the steps of comparing perceptual alternation in a test subject exposed to an ambiguous moving image or stimulus before and after administration of a candidate therapeutic agent.
Specification