Enhanced diagnosis of psychiatric disorders with heartbeat data

• US 6,579,234 B2
• Filed: 10/26/2001
• Issued: 06/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mclean Hospital (Mass General Brigham, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Mclean Hospital (Mass General Brigham, Inc.)
• Inventors: Teicher, Martin H., Lowen, Steven B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nasser, Robert L.
• Application Number:
  US10/014,633
• Publication Number:
  US 20020151802A1
• Time in Patent Office: 599 Days
• Field of Search: 600/500, 600/300, 600/481, 600/509
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02405 Determining heart rate variability
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02416 using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation A61B5/14552 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0245 by using sensing means generating electric signals, i.e. ECG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1127 using markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/168 Evaluating attention deficit, hyperactivity
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/352 Detecting R peaks, e.g. for synchronising diagnostic apparatus; Estimating R-R interval
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4884 inducing physiological or psychological stress, e.g. applications for stress testing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6816 Ear lobe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6826 Finger
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6838 Clamps or clips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/726 using Wavelet transforms

Abstract

The invention provides methods for enhancing the differential diagnosis of attention deficit disorder (ADHD) versus anxiety disorder in a human patient undergoing testing for ADHD.

Claims

1. A method for enhancing the differential diagnosis of attention deficit disorder (ADHD) versus anxiety disorder in a human subject undergoing testing for ADHD, said method comprising, simultaneously with the conducting of said ADHD testing, detecting and analyzing the heartbeat pattern in said subject, wherein increased sympathetic activity and/or decreased parasympathetic activity indicates a differential diagnosis of anxiety disorder.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said testing for ADHD comprises measuring the movement and response to a visual stimulus of said subject.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said heartbeat pattern is detected using two or more sensors applied to said subject'"'"'s torso to detect electrical signals emanating from said subject'"'"'s heart.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said heartbeat pattern is detected by measuring light transmission through said subject'"'"'s body.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said light is infrared light.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein said light is a wavelength of light other than infrared light.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein said measuring is of a fluctuation in the light intensity at a single wavelength.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein said measuring is of a fluctuation in the ratio of light intensities at two different wavelengths.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein said measuring is of the ratio of infrared light of two different wavelengths.

10. The method of claim 4, wherein said light is transmitted through said subject'"'"'s finger.

11. The method of claim 4, wherein said light is transmitted through said subject'"'"'s earlobe.