Method, apparatus and computer program product for assessment of attentional impairments

• US 8,340,752 B2
• Filed: 06/16/2008
• Issued: 12/25/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of Virginia Patent Foundation (University of Virginia)
• Original Assignee: University of Virginia Patent Foundation (University of Virginia)
• Inventors: Cox, Daniel J., Kovatchev, Boris P., Robeva, Rayna S., Penberthy, Jennifer Kim
• Primary Examiner(s): Natnithithadha, Navin
• Application Number:
  US12/139,976
• Publication Number:
  US 20090156954A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,653 Days
• Field of Search: 600/544, 600/545
• US Class Current: 600/544
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/168 Evaluating attention deficit, hyperactivity
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/374 Detecting the frequency distribution of signals, e.g. detecting delta, theta, alpha, beta or gamma waves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/378 Visual stimuli
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4088 Diagnosing of monitoring cognitive diseases, e.g. Alzheimer, prion diseases or dementia
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7203 for noise prevention, reduction or removal
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7257 using Fourier transforms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/726 using Wavelet transforms

Abstract

A method, apparatus, and computer useable medium that provides, among other things, a standardized test protocol for screening and evaluation of attentional impairment using EEG data. Further, the method, apparatus, and computer program product enhances existing psychological, behavioral, and physiological EEG data acquisition systems by introducing a sequential stochastic model procedure, and an intelligent data interpretation component capable of assessing EEG inconsistencies associated attentional impairments. Potential users of this product will be any person or organization that diagnoses or treats persons with attentional or cognitive impairments. The method can be used for initial screening and diagnosis of disorders associated with impaired attention, such as ADHD, as well as for treatment and evaluation of the effects of treatments, such as medication or additional therapies.

Claims

1. A method for assessing individuals for disorders associated with attentional impairments of the individuals, said method comprising:

a) placing at least one electrode at a respective cranial site on an individual;

b) obtaining digitized EEG data at epochs of alpha frequency, said EEG data collected from at least one sequence of a first cognitive task period, a rest period, and a second cognitive task period, wherein;

the individual performs predetermined tasks during said first and second cognitive task periods, and the individual rests during said rest period;

c) processing said EEG data to determine electrophysical power (pW) for a sequence of alpha powers (α

₁, α

₂, . . . α

_k) obtained from at least one said first cognitive task period, said reset period, and said second cognitive task period;

d) calculating an Alpha Blockade Index (ABI) for said determined alpha powers (α

₁, α

₂, . . . α

_k); and

e) comparing said ABI to a control group database to provide the assessment of individual.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein calculating said ABI in step (d) is calculated using the following formula:

3. The method of claim 1, wherein:

said first cognitive task period has a duration within a range of about 1 minute to about 2 minutes;

said rest period has a duration of about 1 minute; and

said second cognitive task period has a duration within a range of about 1 minute to about 2 minutes.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the individual during said first and second cognitive task periods participate in an activity selected from the group consisting of:

reading, performing math, viewing video, tracking on a computer screen, and listening.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said Alpha frequency ranges from about 8 to about 14 Hz.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein number of electrodes range from 1 to 15.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the disorders include at least one of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in individuals with pre-dementia, dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, Alzheimer'"'"'s Disease, traumatic brain injury, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and cognitive/attentional declines associated with chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and HIV infection.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein said Consistency Index assessment is based on the calculated Consistency Index of step (g) of claim 1.

8. A method for assessing individuals for disorders associated with attentional impairments of the individuals, said method comprising:

a) assigning an individual a probability of attentional impairment for demographic assessment;

b) assigning an individual a probability of attentional impairment for psychometric assessment;

c) assigning an individual a probability of attentional impairment for Consistency Index;

d) assigning an individual a probability of attentional impairment for Alpha Blockade Index (ABI);

e) calculating conditional probabilities of assigned attentional impairment for at least one of steps (a) through (d), whereby said calculated conditional probability account for an assigned probability of an alternative step, and wherein said conditional probabilities providing an overall probability or range of probability for the individual; and

f) comparing said overall conditional probability or range of conditional probability to a control group database to provide the assessment of the individual.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said demographic assessment is based on factors including at least one of gender, age, presence of co-morbid psychological or learning disorders, and first degree relative diagnosed with attentional impairment.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein said psychometric assessment is based on factors including at least one of mini-mental status examination, the Assessment of Cognitive Transition Difficulty (ACTD), Continuous Performance Tests (CPT), and disorder-specific rating scale.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein said Alpha Blockade Index assessment is based on the following formula:

13. A method for assessing the treatment that individuals receive for disorders associated with attentional impairments of the individuals, said method comprising:

a) assigning an individual a probability of attentional impairment for Consistency Index;

b) assigning an individual a probability of attentional impairment for Alpha Blockade Index (ABI);

c) calculating conditional probabilities of assigned attentional impairment for at least one of steps (a) through (b), whereby said calculated conditional probability account for an assigned probability of an alternative step, and wherein said conditional probabilities providing an overall probability or range of probability for the individual; and

d) repeat steps (a) through (c) a desired number of times over a select duration to compare the success or efficacy of treatment.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the duration for which steps (a) through (c) are repeated can be at least one of hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, and any fraction or multiple thereof.

15. An apparatus for assessing individuals for disorders associated with attentional impairments of the individuals, said apparatus comprising:

an EEG device having at least one electrode adaptive for attachment at a respective cranial site on an individual, said EEG device obtaining digitized EEG data at epochs of a plurality of frequency bands, said EEG data collected from a first cognitive task period, a rest period, and a second cognitive task period, wherein;

the individual performs predetermined tasks during said first and second cognitive task periods, and the individual rests during said rest period;

a processor programmed to;

a) processing said EEG data to determine electrophysical power (pW) for a sequence of alpha powers (α

₁, α

₂, . . . α

_k) obtained from at least one said first cognitive task period, said reset period, and said second cognitive task period;

b) calculating an Alpha Blockade Index (ABI) for said determined alpha powers (α

₁, α

₂, . . . α

_k); and

c) comparing said ABI to a control group database to provide the assessment of individual.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein calculating said ABI in step (c) is calculated using the following formula:

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein:

said first cognitive task period has a duration within a range of about 1 minute to about 2 minutes;

said rest period has a duration of about 1 minute; and

said second cognitive task period has a duration within a range of about 1 minute to about 2 minutes.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the individual during said first and second cognitive task periods participate in an activity selected from the group consisting of:

reading, performing math, viewing video, tracking on a computer screen, and listening.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said Alpha frequency ranges from about 8 to about 14 Hz.

20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein number of electrodes range from 1 to 15.

21. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the disorders include at least one of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in individuals with pre-dementia, dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, Alzheimer'"'"'s Disease, traumatic brain injury, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and cognitive/attentional declines associated with chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and HIV infection.

25. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said Alpha Blockade Index assessment is based on the calculated ABI of step (b) of claim 15.

22. An apparatus for assessing individuals for disorders associated with attentional impairments of the individuals, said apparatus comprising:

a) means for assigning an individual a probability of attentional impairment for demographic assessment;

b) means for assigning an individual a probability of attentional impairment for psychometric assessment;

c) means for assigning an individual a probability of attentional impairment for Consistency Index;

d) means for assigning an individual a probability of attentional impairment for Alpha Blockade Index (ABI);

e) means for calculating conditional probabilities of assigned attentional impairment for at least one of steps (a) through (d), whereby said calculated conditional probability account for an assigned probability of an alternative step, and wherein said conditional probabilities providing an overall probability or range of probability for the individual; and

f) means for comparing said overall conditional probability or range of conditional probability to a control group database to provide the assessment of the individual.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said demographic assessment is based on factors including at least one of gender, age, presence of co-morbid psychological or learning disorders, and first degree relative diagnosed with attentional impairment.

24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said psychometric assessment is based on factors including at least one of mini-mental status examination, the Assessment of Cognitive Transition Difficulty (ACTD), Continuous Performance Tests (CPT), and disorder-specific rating scale.

26. An apparatus for assessing the treatment that individuals receive for disorders associated with attentional impairments of the individuals, said apparatus comprising:

a) means for assigning an individual a probability of attentional impairment for Consistency Index;

b) means for assigning an individual a probability of attentional impairment for Alpha Blockade Index (ABI);

c) means for calculating conditional probabilities of assigned attentional impairment for at least one of steps (a) through (b), whereby said calculated conditional probability account for an assigned probability of an alternative step, and wherein said conditional probabilities providing an overall probability or range of probability for the individual; and

d) means for repeat steps (a) through (c) a desired number of times over a select duration to compare the success or efficacy of treatment.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the duration for which steps (a) through (c) are repeated can be at least one of hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, and any fraction or multiple thereof.

28. A computer program product comprising computer useable medium having computer program logic for enabling at least one processor in a computer system to assess individuals for disorders associated with attentional impairments based on digitized EEG data, said digitized EEG data obtained at epochs of a plurality of frequency bands from an individual, said EEG data collected from a first cognitive task period, a rest period, and a second cognitive task period, wherein the individual performs predetermined tasks during said first and second cognitive task periods, and the individual rests during said rest period, said computer logic comprising:

a) processing said EEG data to determine electrophysical power (pW) for a sequence of alpha powers (α

₁, α

₂, . . . α

_k) obtained from at least one said first cognitive task period, said reset period, and said second cognitive task period;

b) calculating an Alpha Blockade Index (ABI) for said determined alpha powers (α

₁, α

₂, . . . α

_k); and

c) comparing said ABI to a control group database to provide the assessment of individual.

29. A computer program product comprising computer useable medium having computer program logic for enabling at least one processor in a computer system to assess individuals for disorders associated with attentional impairments based on digitized EEG data, said digitized EEG data obtained at epochs of a plurality of frequency bands from an individual, said EEG data collected from a first cognitive task period, a rest period, and a second cognitive task period, wherein the individual performs predetermined tasks during said first and second cognitive task periods, and the individual rests during said rest period, said computer logic comprising:

a) assigning an individual a probability of attentional impairment for demographic assessment;

b) assigning an individual a probability of attentional impairment for psychometric assessment;

c) assigning an individual a probability of attentional impairment for Consistency Index;

d) assigning an individual a probability of attentional impairment for Alpha Blockade Index (ABI);

e) calculating conditional probabilities of assigned attentional impairment for at least one of steps (a) through (d), whereby said calculated conditional probability account for an assigned probability of an alternative step, and wherein said conditional probabilities providing an overall probability or range of probability for the individual; and

f) comparing said overall conditional probability or range of conditional probability to a control group database to provide the assessment of the individual.

30. A computer program product comprising computer useable medium having computer program logic for enabling at least one processor in a computer system to assess the treatment that individuals receive for disorders associated with attentional impairments based on digitized EEG data, said digitized EEG data obtained at epochs of a plurality of frequency bands from an individual, said EEG data collected from a first cognitive task period, a rest period, and a second cognitive task period, wherein the individual performs predetermined tasks during said first and second cognitive task periods, and the individual rests during said rest period, said computer logic comprising:

a) assigning an individual a probability of attentional impairment for Consistency Index;

b) assigning an individual a probability of attentional impairment for Alpha Blockade Index (ABI);

c) calculating conditional probabilities of assigned attentional impairment for at least one of steps (a) through (b), whereby said calculated conditional probability account for an assigned probability of an alternative step, and wherein said conditional probabilities providing an overall probability or range of probability for the individual; and

d) repeat steps (a) through (c) a desired number of times over a select duration to compare the success or efficacy of treatment.