Equipment for testing or measuring brain activity
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for assessing electrical activity of a brain of a subject comprising:
- first stimulus means for generating and applying a repetitive stimulus to the brain;
second stimulus means for generating and applying to the brain a time varying stimulus relating to a cognitive task; and
detection means for distinguishing and detecting a steady state response of the brain to said first stimulus, and for detecting a change or changes in said response during a data acquisition period when the repetitive stimulus and a time varying cognitive task stimulus are simultaneously applied to the brain of the subject, wherein the detection means can detect time variations in brain activity of the subject which occur during the data acquisition period.
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Abstract
Electrical activity of the brain is analysed by the application of a repetitive stimulus so as to evoke a steady state response, changes or differences in the steady state response being used as a measure of said electrical activity. The spatial distribution of the activity can be displayed as a topographical representation of the brain, which representation can be updated so as to provide a substantially real-time display. A neuro-psychiatric workstation incorporating such a display can be used for instance for various research purposes.
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Citations
45 Claims
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1. Apparatus for assessing electrical activity of a brain of a subject comprising:
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first stimulus means for generating and applying a repetitive stimulus to the brain; second stimulus means for generating and applying to the brain a time varying stimulus relating to a cognitive task; and detection means for distinguishing and detecting a steady state response of the brain to said first stimulus, and for detecting a change or changes in said response during a data acquisition period when the repetitive stimulus and a time varying cognitive task stimulus are simultaneously applied to the brain of the subject, wherein the detection means can detect time variations in brain activity of the subject which occur during the data acquisition period. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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- 14. A method of assessing brain activity of a subject comprising the steps of obtaining a steady state evoked potential of a subject, causing the subject to perform a time varying cognitive task and assessing time variations in the brain activity of the subject on the basis of changes in said potential which occur while said time varying task is being performed by the subject.
- 22. Apparatus for assessing brain activity of a subject comprising first means for obtaining a steady state evoked potential of a subject, second means for causing the subject to perform a time varying cognitive task and third means for assessing time variations in the brain activity of the subject on the basis of changes in said potential which occur while said time varying task is being performed by the subject.
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29. A method of assessing activity of a brain of a subject comprising the steps of:
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applying a periodic control signal having a preselected frequency to the brain of the subject; obtaining an electroencephalographic (EEG) signal from the subject while said control signal is being applied; and analyzing the EEG signal to determine the magnitude or phase of that component of the EEG signal which corresponds in frequency to said control signal; wherein said method further comprises the steps of applying said control signal and a cognitive task stimulus simultaneously to the subject during a data acquisition period; obtaining and analyzing the EEG signal to determine the magnitude or phase of said component during said data acquisition period; determining the change in the magnitude or phase of said component of the EEG signal during said data acquisition period; and assessing time variations in brain activity of the subject in accordance with said change. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. Apparatus for assessing the activity of a brain of a subject comprising:
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means for applying a periodic control signal having a predetermined frequency to the brain of the subject; applying means for applying a cognitive task stimulus to the brain of the subject; means for deriving the EEG signal from the subject during a data acquisition period in which the control signal and the cognitive task stimulus are simultaneously applied to the brain of the subject; and analyzing means for determining the change in magnitude or phase of that component of the EEG signal which is attributable to the periodic control signal from one state in which the brain of the subject has applied thereto only the control signal and another state when the brain of the subject has applied thereto both the control signal and the cognitive task stimulus, whereby the analyzing means can assess time variations of brain activity which occur during the data acquisition period. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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45. A method of assessing brain activity of a subject comprising the steps of obtaining a steady state evoked potential of a subject, causing the subject to perform a cognitive task and assessing time variations in the brain activity of the subject on the basis of changes in said potential which occur while said task is being performed by the subject.
Specification