Methods for continuous performance testing

• US 20030233032A1
• Filed: 02/20/2003
• Published: 12/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2002
• 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.
• Granted Patent: US 8,078,253 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1127 using markers
• 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: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/20 for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

Provided are methods for diagnosing the presence, type, or severity of a dementia in a human subject. The methods involve using a computer-based system to assess impairment of certain cognitive and motor functions that are indicative of Alzheimer'"'"'s disease and other forms of dementia.

Claims

1. A method of assigning as normal or abnormal results of a continuous performance test results of a subject, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) placing, in proximity to a subject, (i) a monitor that is connected to a computer, and (ii) a device that is controllable by said subject and that is also connected to said computer;

(b) presenting to said subject instructions with respect to activating said device in response to visual images on said monitor;

(c) presenting to said subject one or more of said visual images on said monitor;

(d) storing in said computer the instances of device activation by said subject;

(e) determining an accuracy parameter of device activation;

(f) determining a response time parameter of device activation; and

(g) calculating a test value based on (e) and (f) as follows;

T≡

(accuracy)−

[25+response time/10)],

wherein a positive value of t indicates a normal test result and a negative value of T indicates an abnormal test result.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the test value is calculated using data grouped by gender.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the test value is calculated using data grouped by age.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

(h) using a motion analysis device connected to said computer to record movements of said subject during presentation of said visual images;

(i) storing the record of said movements in said computer;

(j) analyzing said recorded movements for deviations from pre-determined norms; and

(k) using the analysis of step (j) together with the test value to diagnose ADHD or dementia.

13. The method of claim 10, 11 or 12, wherein said motion analysis device is a video camera.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said camera is an infrared camera capable of detecting an infrared reflective marker.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein at least one infrared reflective marker is placed onto said subject.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said marker is positioned on the head of said subject.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein at least three markers are placed onto said subject.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said markers are positioned on the head, elbow, and shoulders of said subject.

19. The method of claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein said computer is connected to a second computer via a network and said instructions or said images are conveyed to said subject across the network.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the network is selected from a global computer network, a local area network, a wide area network, an intranet, and an extranet.

21. The method of claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein said visual images are selected from the group consisting of symbols, numbers, letters, and shapes.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein said subject is instructed to activate said device when a specified image is displayed on said monitor.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein said visual images are stars.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein said visual images are five-pointed stars and eight-pointed stars.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein said subject is instructed to activate said device when a star having a specified number of points is displayed on said monitor.

2. A method of assigning as normal or abnormal results of a continuous performance test results of a subject, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) placing, in proximity to a subject, (i) a monitor that is connected to a computer, and (ii) a device that is controllable by said subject and that is also connected to said computer;

(b) presenting to said subject instructions with respect to activating said device in response to visual images on said monitor;

(c) presenting to said subject one or more of said visual images on said monitor;

(d) storing in said computer the instances of device activation by said subject;

(e) determining an accuracy parameter of device activation;

(f) determining a response time parameter of device activation; and

(g) calculating an Adjusted Latency as follows;

Adjusted Latency=(response time)−

10×

(accuracy−

Q),

where the value of Q is selected to represent a typical accuracy value, and wherein the adjusted latency discriminates between normal and abnormal continuous performance test results.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the Adjusted Latency is calculated using data grouped by gender.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein the Adjusted Latency is calculated using data grouped by age.

11. The method of claim 2, further comprising the steps of:

(h) using a motion analysis device connected to said computer to record movements of said subject during presentation of said visual images;

(i) storing the record of said movements in said computer;

(j) analyzing said recorded movements for deviations from pre-determined norms; and

(k) using the analysis of step (j) together with the Adjusted Latency to diagnose ADHD or dementia.

3. A method of assigning as normal or abnormal results of a continuous performance test results of a subject, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) placing, in proximity to a subject, (i) a monitor that is connected to a computer, and (ii) a device that is controllable by said subject and that is also connected to said computer;

(b) presenting to said subject instructions with respect to activating said device in response to visual images on said monitor;

(c) presenting to said subject one or more of said visual images on said monitor;

(d) storing in said computer the instances of device activation by said subject;

(e) determining an accuracy parameter of device activation;

(f) determining a response time parameter of device activation; and

(g) calculating an Adjusted Accuracy as follows;

Adjusted Accuracy=Accuracy+10×

(Latency−

R)

where the value of R is selected to represent a typical response time value, and wherein the adjusted accuracy discriminates between normal and abnormal continuous performance test results.

8. The method of claim 3, wherein the Adjusted Accuracy is calculated using data grouped by gender.

9. The method of claim 3, wherein the Adjusted Accuracy is calculated using data grouped by age.

12. The method of claim 3, further comprising the steps of:

(h) using a motion analysis device connected to said computer to record movements of said subject during presentation of said visual images;

(i) storing the record of said movements in said computer;

(j) analyzing said recorded movements for deviations from pre-determined norms; and

(k) using the analysis of step (j) together with the Adjusted Accuracy to diagnose ADHD or dementia.