Method and apparatus employing motor measures for early diagnosis and staging of dementia

• US 6,067,986 A
• Filed: 10/29/1993
• Issued: 05/30/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Alan Kluger, Barry Reisberg, John Gianutsos
• Original Assignee: Alan Kluger, Barry Reisberg, John Gianutsos
• Inventors: Reisberg, Barry, Gianutsos, John, Kluger, Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): HINDENBURG, MAX F
• Application Number:
  US08/145,984
• Time in Patent Office: 2,405 Days
• Field of Search: 128/745, 128/774, 128/782
• US Class Current: 600/595
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1036 Measuring load distribution, e.g. podologic studies
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1071 measuring angles, e.g. using goniometers A61B5/1123 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1124 Determining motor skills
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/389 Electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4088 Diagnosing of monitoring cognitive diseases, e.g. Alzheimer, prion diseases or dementia
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4528 Joints A61B5/4533, A61B5/4538 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence

Abstract

A method for differentiating cognitively normal elderly individuals from mildly demented patients with Alzheimer'"'"'s disease by monitoring motor/psychomotor test results by the use of various computer monitored transducer apparatus attached to the individual while the individual undergoes testing. Head tracking ability, head steadiness, EMG-Arm extension tracking, and joint position matching are measured parameters used in the method.

Claims

1. A method for differentiating cognitively normal elderly individuals from mildly demented patients with Alzheimer'"'"'s disease comprising

placing head tilt monitoring means on the individual and facing the individual towards a video monitor;

positioning on said video monitor a target frame and cursor, said cursor position controlled by the head tilt of the individual;

monitoring head tilt by the individual by detecting signals from said head tilt monitoring means said signals being indicative of said cursor position;

converting signals obtained during said monitoring step into measures of ability to maintain said cursor within said target frame.

2. The method for differentiating cognitively normal elderly individuals from mildly demented patients with Alzheimer'"'"'s disease of claim 1, wherein said individual attempts to hold its head steady.

3. A method for creating measures of motor/psych-motor performance comprising

placing head tilt monitoring means on the individual and facing the individual towards a video monitor;

positioning on said video monitor a target frame and cursor, said cursor position controlled by the head tilt of the individual;

monitoring head tilt by the individual by detecting signals from said head tilt monitoring means, said signals being indicative of said cursor position;

converting signals obtained during said monitoring step into measures of ability to maintain said cursor within said target frame.

4. A method for creating measures of motor/psych-motor performance of claim 3, wherein said individual attempts to hold its head steady.