Remediation of depression through computer-implemented interactive behavioral training

• US 6,165,126 A
• Filed: 09/15/1998
• Issued: 12/26/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Scientific Learning Corp. (Carnegie Learning, Inc.), Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Original Assignee: Scientific Learning Corp. (Carnegie Learning, Inc.), Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Inventors: Merzenich, Michael M., Blake, David T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gilbert, Samuel G.
• Application Number:
  US09/153,568
• Time in Patent Office: 833 Days
• Field of Search: 600/300, 600/301, 600/544, 600/545, 128/904, 128/905, 128/920-924
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/165 Evaluating the state of mind, e.g. depression, anxiety
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/20 for electronic clinical trials or questionnaires
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/70 relating to mental therapies, e.g. psychological therapy or autogenous training
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 70/60 relating to pathologies

Abstract

A computer-implemented technique for remediating depression in a person which includes assessing, using a computer-implemented interactive behavioral assessment regime, a depression index for the person. If the depression index is above a predefined benchmark, the computer-implemented technique includes periodically reassessing the depression index by waiting for at least a predefined period of time, and performing the above assessing step after the predefined period of time expires. If the depression index is below the predefined benchmark, treating the person by administering computer-implemented interactive behavioral training to the person. The computer-implemented interactive behavioral training is sufficiently intensive during each training day to create a permanent change in modulatory functions of neurotransmitters of one of norepinephrine and serotonin in the person.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for remediating depression in a person, comprising:

(a) assessing, using a computer-implemented interactive behavioral assessment regime, a depression index for said person;

(b) if said depression index is above a predefined benchmark, periodically reassessing said depression index by

waiting for at least a predefined period of time, and

performing (a) after said predefined period of time expires; and

(c) if said depression index is below said predefined benchmark, treating said person by administering computer-implemented interactive behavioral training to said person, said computer-implemented interactive behavioral training being sufficiently intensive during each training day to create an enduring change in modulatory functions of neurotransmitters of at least one of norepinephrine and serotonin in said person.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein said computer-implemented interactive behavioral training is configured to permit said person to be correct in at least 50% of the training administered.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2 wherein said computer-implemented interactive behavioral training is configured to permit said person to be correct in at least 80% of the training administered.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein administering said computer-implemented interactive behavioral training includes administering a set of computer-implemented exercises.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 4 further including adjusting said set of computer-implemented exercises.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5 further including adjusting said set of computer-implemented exercises based on a correction staircase.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 5 further including adjusting said set of computer-implemented exercises such that the person is required to respond with progressively faster reaction speed.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 4 wherein the number of exercises in said set of computer-implemented exercises is sufficient to change the expression of a neurotransmitter which underlies depression.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 8 wherein administering said computer-implemented interactive behavioral training includes at least one hundred exercises during each training day.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 4 wherein said set of computer-implemented exercises includes a vigilance task.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 4 wherein said set of computer-implemented exercises includes a novelty task.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 4 wherein said set of computer-implemented exercises includes a short-term memory task.

13. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein administering said computer-implemented interactive behavioral training is on a daily basis.

14. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein administering said computer-implemented interactive behavioral training is performed for at least one hour per day.

15. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further including providing feedback to said person.

16. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein said computer-implemented interactive behavioral training is further directed to upregulate modulatory functions of dopamine and acetylcholine.

17. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein said computer-implemented interactive behavioral training is further directed to include substantial novelty and surprise.

18. The computer-implemented method of claim 17 wherein said computer-implemented interactive behavioral training is further directed to include calming said person.

19. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein said computer-implemented interactive behavioral training is further directed to enliven the cerebral cortex to improve its level of arousal.

20. The computer-implemented method of claim 19 wherein said computer-implemented interactive behavioral training is further directed to improve ability to respond to stimuli with vigilance.

21. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein administering said computer-implemented interactive behavioral training is performed prophylactically.

22. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein administering said computer-implemented interactive behavioral training is performed in as an adjunct to a pharmacological approach to remediating depression.

23. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further including rewarding, using said computer-implemented approach, said person.

24. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein administering said training is performed using one of a LAN, a WAN or the Internet.

25. A computer-implemented method for assessing depression for person said method comprising:

(a) administering, using said computer-implemented approach, a set of behavioral assessment exercises to said person, said set of behavioral assessment exercises being / configured to determine a depression index for said person;

(b) comparing said depression index against a predefined benchmark; and

(c) repeating (a)-(b) periodically.

26. The computer-implemented method of claim 25 further including reporting said depression index to a health professional.

27. The computer-implemented method of claim 26 wherein reporting said depression index to said health professional uses the Internet.

28. The computer-implemented method of claim 25 wherein administering said set of behavioral assessment exercises is done in conjunction with a treatment for depression.

29. The computer-implemented method of claim 28 wherein said treatment for depression is biochemically based.

30. The computer-implemented method of claim 25 wherein said person has suffered from depression in the past.

31. The computer-implemented method of claim 25 wherein said set of behavioral assessment exercises include one of assessing the person'"'"'s response to novel stimuli, vigilance stimuli, and fear-inducing stimuli.

32. The computer-implemented method of claim 25 wherein said set of behavioral assessment exercises is designed to assess the person'"'"'s short-term memory.

33. A computer readable medium including instructions for remediating depression in a person, said computer-implemented medium comprising:

(a) instructions for assessing, using a computer-implemented interactive behavioral assessment regime, a depression index for said person;

(b) instructions for if said depression index is above a predefined benchmark, periodically reassessing said depression index by

waiting for at least a predefined period of time, and

performing (a) after said predefined period of time expires; and

(c) instructions for, if said depression index is below said predefined benchmark, treating said person by administering computer-implemented interactive behavioral training to said person, said computer-implemented interactive behavioral training being sufficiently intensive during each training day to create a permanent change in modulatory functions of neurotransmitters of at least one of norepinephrine and serotonin in said person.

34. A computer implemented method for delivering computer readable instructions for remediating depression in a person, said computer-implemented method comprising:

(a) transmitting, over a signal transmission medium, signals representative of instructions for assessing, using a computer-implemented interactive behavioral assessment regime, a depression index for said person;

(b) transmitting, over a signal transmission medium, signals representative of instructions for if said depression index is above a predefined benchmark, periodically reassessing said depression index by

waiting for at least a predefined period of time, and

performing (a) after said predefined period of time expires; and

(c) transmitting, over a signal transmission medium, signals representative of instructions for, if said depression index is below said predefined benchmark, treating said person by administering computer-implemented interactive behavioral training to said person, said computer-implemented interactive behavioral training being sufficiently intensive during each training day to create an enduring change in modulatory functions of neurotransmitters of at least one of norepinephrine and serotonin in said person.

35. A computer-implemented method for reducing the effects of depression for a human subject, said computer-implemented method comprising:

administering, using said computer-implemented approach, a training regime including at least one behavioral test to said human subject, said training regime being configured to substantially augment the behaviorally appropriate release of modulatory neuotransmitters associated with at least one of remediating depression and the clinical symptoms of depression;

obtaining, using said computer-implemented approach, a performance response of said human subject in said at least one behavioral test; and

altering, using said computer-implemented approach, testing parameters pertaining to said at least one behavioral test, wherein said altering of said testing parameters facilitates substantially augmenting the behaviorally appropriate release of modulatory neuotransmitters associated with at least one of remediating depression and the clinical symptoms of depression.

36. The computer-implemented method of claim 35 wherein the at least one behavioral test calms the subject.

37. The computer-implemented method of claim 35 wherein the behaviorally appropriate release of modulatory neuotransmitters includes the behaviorally appropriate release of at least one of seratonin, norepinephrine, doparine and acetycholine.