Standardized medical cognitive assessment tool

• US 7,294,107 B2
• Filed: 10/25/2004
• Issued: 11/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Neuro TRAX Corporation
• Original Assignee: Neuro TRAX Corporation
• Inventors: Doniger, Glen M., Simon, Ely S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg; Max F
• Assistant Examiner(s): Astorino; Michael C
• Application Number:
  US10/971,067
• Publication Number:
  US 20050187436A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,114 Days
• Field of Search: 600300-301, 600544-545, 434236-238, 128/920
• 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 5/16 Devices for psychotechnics using teaching or educational appliances G09B1/00 - G09B7/00; Testing reaction times ; Devices for evaluating the psychological state
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/162 Testing reaction times
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/168 Evaluating attention deficit, hyperactivity
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4088 Diagnosing of monitoring cognitive diseases, e.g. Alzheimer, prion diseases or dementia
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/92 Computer assisted medical diagnostics

Abstract

A testing system and method for evaluation of neurological function are provided. Specifically, the system and method can be used to differentiate between normal and pathological function for motor skills, logic, reasoning, coordination, verbal function, memory, and various other skills. In addition, it is designed to provide a package to a clinician, including a recommended battery of tests and a results report. The system and method described herein is designed to reduce bias due to the human nature of the tester, while still maintaining versatility, individualized attention and depth of analysis in testing.

Claims

1. A method for processing data for a neurological parameter, the method comprising:

defining multiple performance zones, said defining multiple cutoff values calculated by comparing classifications of data from computerized cognitive tests with an independent classification;

calculating a number of false positives and false negatives from said comparison; and

choosing a first cutoff value based on a first cutoff criterion for numbers of false positives or false negatives and a second cutoff value based on a second cutoff criterion for numbers of false positives or false negatives;

providing a computerized cognitive test to a user;

collecting data from said computerized cognitive test;

calculating a score for said neurological parameter based on said collected data; and

placing said calculated score in one of said defined multiple performance zones.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a report showing said defined multiple performance zones and said placed calculated score.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said multiple performance zones include a normal zone, an abnormal zone, and at least one additional zone in between said normal zone and said abnormal zone.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said multiple performance zones are based on at least one of:

a 10 point scale, a z-scale, an IQ scale or a linear transformaton thereof.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said multiple performance zones are based on a 10 point scale and wherein a first cutoff value is between 6 and 9 and a second cutoff value is between 1 and 4.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein said multiple performance zones are based on a z-scale and wherein said multiple cutoff values are numbers between −

1 and 1.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said defining multiple performance zones further comprises choosing a third cutoff value based on a third cutoff criterion for numbers of false positives or false negatives.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising normalizing said collected data to a reference population and standardizing said collected data to a standard scale, and wherein said calculating a score comprises calculating a score based on said normalized and standardized collected data.