Electronic device for predicting degree of risk of cognitive decline, and operating method thereof

Abstract

An electronic device for predicting the degree of risk of cognitive decline, and an operating method thereof are disclosed. The operating method of the electronic device may comprise the operations of: examining the olfactory function of a subject on the basis of functional brain imaging for a plurality of olfactory stimuli; measuring brain structure abnormalities of the subject on the basis of structural brain imaging for brain regions involved in the olfactory function; evaluating general olfactory function for a preset number of olfactory stimuli recognizable by the subject; identifying general medical information about the subject on the basis of the presence or absence of a disease according to the characteristics of the subject; and determining the degree of risk of cognitive decline of the subject on the basis of the olfactory function examination result, the brain structure abnormality measurement result, the general olfactory function evaluation result, and the general medical information identification result.

Description

Electronic device for predicting the risk of cognitive decline and its operating method

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device for predicting the risk of cognitive decline and a method of operating the same.

[0002] As medical technology advances and human lifespans increase, the incidence of degenerative brain diseases like dementia is steadily increasing. Despite significant investment in research and development to treat these diseases, a clear solution has yet to be found. Consequently, prevention and early detection are becoming increasingly important, rather than simply developing treatment technologies.

[0003] Existing methods for managing cognitive decline have focused on assessing current cognitive function and assessing it as normal or abnormal, and preventing cognitive decline through consistent health management guidelines. In other words, there has been no method for predicting the risk of future cognitive decline beyond measuring current cognitive function.

[0004] The sense of smell is one of the brain's sensory functions. Beyond simply recognizing odors, it is also linked to memory and emotion. In particular, individuals with cognitive impairment, such as dementia, have been reported to experience a loss of olfactory function, and this loss is also frequently observed in mild cognitive impairment, a precursor to dementia.

[0005] The present invention can provide a device and method for predicting the risk of cognitive decline by using the correlation between olfaction and cognitive decline.

[0006] The present invention can provide a device and method for predicting the risk of cognitive decline in an individual by analyzing the individual's brain response to olfactory stimulation and inputting it into an olfactory brain map.

[0007] However, technical challenges are not limited to the technical challenges described above, and other technical challenges may exist.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, an electronic device includes one or more processors; and a memory including one or more storage media storing instructions, wherein the instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the one or more processors, cause the electronic device to: examine an olfactory function of a subject based on functional brain imaging for a plurality of olfactory stimuli; measure an abnormality in brain structure of the subject based on structural brain imaging for a brain region involved in the olfactory function; evaluate a general olfactory function for a preset number of olfactory stimuli that the subject can recognize; identify general medical information of the subject based on whether or not the subject has a disease according to the characteristics of the subject; and determine a risk of cognitive decline of the subject based on the results of the olfactory function test, the results of the brain structural abnormality measurement, the results of the general olfactory function evaluation, and the results of the general medical information identification.

[0009] The above instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the one or more processors, may cause the electronic device to acquire a functional brain image of the subject for a plurality of olfactory stimuli classified into different types of emotions, compare the identified functional brain image of the subject with a functional brain image of a comparison group having similar characteristics to the subject, identify brain activity of the subject compared to the comparison group, and apply a weight according to the type of emotion of the olfactory stimulus that causes the brain activity to the identified brain activity of the subject to quantify the result of the olfactory function test of the subject.

[0010] The instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the one or more processors, may cause the electronic device to: obtain a functional brain image of the subject; obtain a functional brain image observed from the subject when an olfactory stimulus having a lowest concentration that the subject can recognize is presented; and obtain a functional brain image observed from the subject when an olfactory stimulus having a threshold concentration that people in the comparison group can recognize is presented.

[0011] The above instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the one or more processors, may cause the electronic device to apply a high weight to the brain activity of the identified test subject in the following order: an olfactory stimulus that is neutral to the emotion, an olfactory stimulus that induces a positive emotion, and an olfactory stimulus that induces a negative emotion.

[0012] The above instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the one or more processors, may cause the electronic device to measure the volume or the thickness of gray matter of a brain region involved in the olfactory function, and compare the measured volume or the thickness of gray matter of the brain region with the volume or the thickness of gray matter of a brain region of a comparison group having similar characteristics to the subject, thereby quantifying the result of measuring abnormalities in the brain structure of the subject compared to the comparison group.

[0013] The above instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the one or more processors, may cause the electronic device to quantify the results of the general olfactory function evaluation of the subject based on the task of recognizing the olfactory stimulus of the preset number of olfactory stimuli by the subject, the task of measuring the lowest concentration that the subject can recognize, and the task of distinguishing the olfactory stimuli of the preset number.

[0014] The above instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the one or more processors, may cause the electronic device to digitize the result of identifying general medical information of the subject based on the internal medical disease, surgical disease, and psychiatric disease of the subject.

[0015] The above instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the one or more processors, may cause the electronic device to identify numerical values ​​corresponding to the olfactory function test result, the brain structure abnormality measurement result, the general olfactory function evaluation result, and the general medical information identification result, and determine the risk of cognitive function decline of the subject based on the sum result of the identified numerical values.

[0016] An operating method of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention may include an operation of examining an olfactory function of a subject based on functional brain images for a plurality of olfactory stimuli; an operation of measuring a brain structural abnormality of the subject based on structural brain images for a brain region involved in the olfactory function; an operation of evaluating a general olfactory function for a preset number of olfactory stimuli that the subject can recognize; an operation of identifying general medical information of the subject based on whether or not the subject has a disease according to the characteristics of the subject; and an operation of determining a risk of cognitive decline of the subject based on the olfactory function test results, the brain structural abnormality measurement results, the general olfactory function evaluation results, and the general medical information identification results.

[0017] The above-described operation of examining the olfactory function may include an operation of acquiring a functional brain image of the subject for a plurality of olfactory stimuli classified by different types of emotions; an operation of comparing the identified functional brain image of the subject with a functional brain image of a comparison group having similar characteristics to the subject to identify brain activity of the subject compared to the comparison group; and an operation of applying a weight according to the type of emotion of the olfactory stimulus that causes the brain activity to the identified brain activity of the subject to quantify the result of the olfactory function test of the subject.

[0018] The operation of acquiring a functional brain image of the subject may include an operation of acquiring a functional brain image observed from the subject when an olfactory stimulus of the lowest concentration that the subject can recognize is presented; and an operation of acquiring a functional brain image observed from the subject when an olfactory stimulus of a threshold concentration that people included in the comparison group can recognize is presented.

[0019] The action of quantifying the results of the olfactory function test of the above-mentioned subject can apply a high weight to the brain activity of the above-mentioned subject in the order of the olfactory stimulus that is neutral to the emotion, the olfactory stimulus that induces positive emotion, and the olfactory stimulus that induces negative emotion.

[0020] The operation of measuring the brain structure abnormality of the subject may include an operation of measuring the volume or the thickness of gray matter of a brain region involved in the olfactory function; and an operation of comparing the measured volume or the thickness of gray matter of the brain region with the volume or the thickness of gray matter of the brain region of a comparison group having similar characteristics to the subject, and quantifying the result of measuring the brain structure abnormality of the subject compared to the comparison group.

[0021] The operation of evaluating the general olfactory function of the subject may include an operation of quantifying the result of the general olfactory function evaluation of the subject based on a task of the subject recognizing the olfactory stimulus of the preset number of olfactory stimuli, a task of measuring the lowest concentration that the subject can recognize, and a task of distinguishing the olfactory stimuli of the preset number.

[0022] The operation of identifying the general medical information of the subject may include an operation of quantifying the result of identifying the general medical information of the subject based on the internal medical disease, surgical disease, and psychiatric disease of the subject.

[0023] The operation of determining the risk of cognitive decline of the subject may include an operation of identifying numerical values ​​corresponding to the results of the olfactory function test, the results of the brain structure abnormality measurement, the results of the general olfactory function evaluation, and the results of the general medical information identification; and an operation of determining the risk of cognitive decline of the subject based on the result of the sum of the identified numerical values.

[0024] An operating method of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention may include: a step of measuring a cognitive function of a subject through a cognitive function evaluation; an operation of examining the olfactory function of the subject based on functional brain images for a plurality of olfactory stimuli when the measured cognitive function of the subject is evaluated to be at a normal level; an operation of measuring a brain structural abnormality of the subject based on structural brain images for a brain region involved in the olfactory function; an operation of evaluating a general olfactory function for a preset number of olfactory stimuli that the subject can recognize; an operation of identifying general medical information of the subject based on whether or not the subject has a disease according to the characteristics of the subject; and an operation of determining a risk of cognitive function decline of the subject based on the olfactory function test results, the brain structural abnormality measurement results, the general olfactory function evaluation results, and the general medical information identification results.

[0025] The above-described operation of examining the olfactory function may include an operation of acquiring a functional brain image of the subject for a plurality of olfactory stimuli classified by different types of emotions; an operation of comparing the identified functional brain image of the subject with a functional brain image of a comparison group having similar characteristics to the subject to identify brain activity of the subject compared to the comparison group; and an operation of applying a weight according to the type of emotion of the olfactory stimulus that causes the brain activity to the identified brain activity of the subject to quantify the result of the olfactory function test of the subject.

[0026] The operation of measuring the brain structure abnormality of the subject may include an operation of measuring the volume or the thickness of gray matter of a brain region involved in the olfactory function; and an operation of comparing the measured volume or the thickness of gray matter of the brain region with the volume or the thickness of gray matter of the brain region of a comparison group having similar characteristics to the subject, and quantifying the result of measuring the brain structure abnormality of the subject compared to the comparison group.

[0027] The operation of evaluating the general olfactory function of the subject may include an operation of quantifying the result of the general olfactory function evaluation of the subject based on a task of the subject recognizing the olfactory stimulus of the preset number of olfactory stimuli, a task of measuring the lowest concentration that the subject can recognize, and a task of distinguishing the olfactory stimuli of the preset number, and the operation of identifying the general medical information of the subject may include an operation of quantifying the result of identifying the general medical information of the subject based on the internal medical diseases, surgical diseases, and psychiatric diseases of the subject.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the risk of cognitive decline can be predicted using the correlation between the sense of smell and cognitive decline.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the risk of cognitive decline of an individual can be quantitatively assessed by analyzing the individual's brain response to olfactory stimulation and inputting it into an olfactory brain map.

[0030] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 2 is a drawing showing an operating method of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an olfactory function test using an olfactory brain map according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the difference between cognitive function and olfactory function through the results of an olfactory function test according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Specific structural or functional descriptions of the embodiments are disclosed for illustrative purposes only and may be modified and implemented in various forms. Therefore, the actual implementation is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and the scope of this specification includes modifications, equivalents, or alternatives within the technical concepts described in the embodiments.

[0035] Although terms such as "first" or "second" may be used to describe various components, these terms should be interpreted solely to distinguish one component from another. For example, a first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, a second component may also be referred to as a first component.

[0036] When it is said that a component is "connected" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, but there may also be other components in between.

[0037] Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this document, phrases such as "A or B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B", "A, B, or C", "at least one of A, B, and C", and "at least one of A, B, or C" can each include any one of the items listed together in that phrase, or all possible combinations thereof. In this specification, it should be understood that the terms "comprises" or "has" and the like are intended to specify the presence of a described feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0038] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted to have a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined herein.

[0039] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In the description with reference to the attached drawings, identical components are assigned the same reference numerals regardless of the drawing numbers, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0040]

[0041] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the electronic device (100) may include one or more processors (110) and a memory (120) for loading or storing a program (130) executed by the processors (110). The components included in the electronic device (100) of FIG. 1 are merely examples, and a person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will recognize that other general components may be included in addition to the components illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0043] The processor (110) controls the overall operation of each component of the electronic device (100). The processor (110) may be configured to include at least one of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processor Unit), an MCU (Micro Controller Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an NPU (Neural Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), or any other type of processor well known in the art of the present invention. In addition, the processor (110) may perform operations for at least one application or program for executing methods / operations according to various embodiments of the present invention. The electronic device (100) may include one or more processors.

[0044] The memory (120) stores one or more combinations of various data, commands, and information used by components (e.g., processor (110)) included in the electronic device (100). The memory (120) may include volatile memory and / or non-volatile memory.

[0045] The program (130) may include one or more actions in which methods / operations according to various embodiments of the present invention are implemented, and may be stored in the memory (120) in the form of software. Here, the actions correspond to commands realized in the program (130). For example, the program (130) may include instructions for performing an action of examining the olfactory function of a subject based on functional brain imaging for a plurality of olfactory stimuli, an action of measuring brain structural abnormalities of a subject based on structural brain imaging for a brain region involved in olfactory function, an action of evaluating general olfactory function for a preset number of olfactory stimuli that the subject can recognize, an action of identifying general medical information of the subject based on whether or not the subject has a disease according to the characteristics of the subject, and an action of determining the risk of cognitive decline of the subject based on the olfactory function test results, the brain structural abnormality measurement results, the general olfactory function evaluation results, and the general medical information identification results.

[0046] When the program (130) is loaded into the memory (120), the processor (110) can perform methods / operations according to various embodiments of the present invention by executing a plurality of operations to implement the program (130).

[0047] The execution screen of the program (130) can be displayed through the display (140). In the case of FIG. 1, the display (140) is represented as a separate device connected to the electronic device (100). However, in the case of an electronic device (100) such as a terminal that a user can carry, such as a smartphone or tablet, the display (140) can be a component of the electronic device (100). The screen displayed on the display (140) can be before inputting information into the program or the result of the program's execution.

[0048]

[0049] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an operating method of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, at least one of the operations in FIG. 2 may be performed simultaneously or in parallel with other operations, and the order of the operations may be changed. In addition, at least one of the operations may be omitted, and other operations may be additionally performed. The operations illustrated in FIG. 2 may be performed by a processor (e.g., the processor (110) of FIG. 1) of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (100) of FIG. 1).

[0050] Referring to FIG. 2, the processor may perform a cognitive function assessment on a subject whose risk of cognitive decline is to be predicted in operation (210). For example, the processor may use CDR (clinical dementia rating), MMSE-KC (mini mental state examination in the Korean version of the CERAD assessment packet), and CANTAB (Cambridge neuropsychological test automated battery), which are known as dementia diagnostic tests, to assess the subject's attention, memory, and executive ability.

[0051] In operation (220), the processor can determine whether the subject's cognitive function has declined through a cognitive function assessment. More specifically, the processor can determine whether the subject's cognitive function has declined by comparing the results of the cognitive function assessment with the results of a comparison group with similar characteristics to the subject.

[0052] For example, the processor can set a comparison group of people with similar age and gender to the subject and normal cognitive function, and compare the cognitive function assessment results of the comparison group with the subject's cognitive function assessment results to determine whether the subject's cognitive function has declined. However, the above method of setting the comparison group is merely an example and is not limited to the above example.

[0053] If the cognitive function assessment confirms that the subject's cognitive function is lower than that of the control group, the processor may not proceed with an additional cognitive function decline risk measurement step because the predictive effectiveness of the olfactory stimulation for cognitive function decline is low. In other words, the processor may determine that the subject's cognitive function decline has already begun and terminate the system by providing treatment to slow down the rate of cognitive function decline through early intervention in operation (230).

[0054] In contrast, if the cognitive function of the subject is confirmed to be at a normal level similar to that of the comparison group through a cognitive function evaluation, the predictive effectiveness of the risk of cognitive function decline through olfactory stimulation is significant, and therefore the processor can enter the cognitive function decline risk measurement stage in operation (240).

[0055] First, the processor can determine indicators for assessing the risk of cognitive decline by utilizing the subject's brain imaging results and olfactory brain map. The subject's brain imaging results can be obtained through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The processor can examine the subject's olfactory function based on functional brain imaging in response to multiple olfactory stimuli. More specifically, the processor can measure changes in brain activity before and after a preset number of olfactory stimuli through functional brain imaging.

[0056] At this time, olfactory stimuli for functional brain imaging can be categorized into different types of emotions. More specifically, olfactory stimuli can be categorized into emotion-neutral olfactory stimuli (scents), olfactory stimuli that induce positive emotions, and olfactory stimuli that induce negative emotions. For example, referring to Figure 3, emotion-neutral olfactory stimuli may include leather, soap, ketchup, curry, and herbal medicine. Furthermore, olfactory stimuli that induce positive emotions may include peanut butter, coffee, roses, pineapple, and banana. Furthermore, olfactory stimuli that induce negative emotions may include n-butanol, paint, vinegar, cigarettes, and shoe polish. However, the types of olfactory stimuli for each emotion are merely examples and are not limited to the above examples.

[0057] The processor can observe functional changes (e.g., brain activity, etc.) in the brain of the subject when an olfactory stimulus of the lowest concentration that the subject can recognize is presented to examine the subject's olfactory function based on functional brain imaging, and can observe functional changes in the brain of the subject when an olfactory stimulus of a concentration level that can be recognized by a group with normal cognitive function is presented.

[0058] For example, the threshold concentration level for olfactory stimuli that can be recognized by a group with normal cognitive function can be established based on the results of an olfactory function test conducted on 600 normal adults without cognitive impairment. These 600 normal adults may each be comprised of 100 men and women in their 40s, 100 men and women in their 50s, and 100 men and women in their 60s. However, the total number of normal adults included in this group with normal cognitive function and the characteristics used to distinguish them are merely examples and are not limited to the above example.

[0059] By inputting the subject's functional brain images of such olfactory stimuli into an olfactory brain map, the processor can determine the specific brain regions involved in the presented olfactory stimuli.

[0060] The processor can determine indicators for predicting the risk of cognitive decline by assigning different weights to the emotional characteristics of olfactory stimuli provided to assess the subject's olfactory function. For example, the processor can assign higher weights to brain activity in brain regions involved in olfactory stimuli identified through functional brain imaging, in the following order: emotionally neutral olfactory stimuli, positively eliciting olfactory stimuli, and negatively eliciting olfactory stimuli.

[0061] In general, olfactory stimuli associated with emotions promote functional activity in the hippocampus and amygdala, memory centers, leading to longer-lasting memories compared to neutral scents. Accordingly, it can be assumed that responses to olfactory stimuli associated with emotions will decline later in the age-related decline in olfactory function.

[0062] Therefore, it is presumed that over time, olfactory function declines first in response to emotion-neutral olfactory stimuli, followed by decline in response to emotion-inducing olfactory stimuli. At this time, negatively eliciting olfactory stimuli, more than positively eliciting olfactory stimuli, may play a role in detecting danger, which is directly related to survival, and thus olfactory function is presumed to decline last.

[0063] Accordingly, the processor may set the highest weight to an olfactory stimulus that is neutral to the emotion, which is expected to cause a decline in the olfactory function first, and may set the lowest weight to an olfactory stimulus that induces a negative emotion, which is expected to cause a decline in the olfactory function last. For example, referring to Fig. 3, the processor may set a weight of 50 to an olfactory stimulus that is neutral to the emotion, a weight of 30 to an olfactory stimulus that induces a positive emotion, and a weight of 20 to an olfactory stimulus that induces a negative emotion. However, the weight setting values ​​of the olfactory stimulus according to the type of emotion are merely an example and are not limited to the above example.

[0064] The processor can quantify the results of the olfactory function test of the subject by comparing them with the results of the olfactory function test of a control group of similar age and gender to the subject. For example, if the subject showed 50% of the brain activity of the control group when smelling an emotionally neutral leather scent, the processor can convert the brain activity of the control group to 1, calculate the subject's brain activity to 0.5, and convert the weight corresponding to neutrality, 50, to a ratio of 10 to calculate it as 5. Afterwards, the processor can multiply the calculated brain activity value of 0.5 by the calculated weight value of 5 to calculate an index value of 2.5 for the results of the olfactory function test. In the same way, if the subject showed 80% of the brain activity compared to the brain activity of the control group when smelling the peanut butter scent that induces positive emotions, the processor can calculate the subject's brain activity as 0.8, calculate the weight value corresponding to positivity as 3, and multiply the two values ​​to calculate the index value for the olfactory function test result as 2.4 points. Therefore, the index value according to the result of the olfactory function test can be converted to a minimum of 0 points and a maximum of 50 points, and a higher index value can mean that the brain activity is at a similar level to the control group.

[0065] For example, Figure 4 illustrates the differences between cognitive and olfactory functions based on olfactory function test results. Referring to Figure 4, olfactory function decline can be detected in dementia patients even when their cognitive function does not differ significantly from that of the comparison group (normal aging). The present invention can provide a method for preventing degenerative diseases such as dementia by detecting such olfactory function decline early and predicting the risk of cognitive decline.

[0066] Meanwhile, the processor can measure brain structural abnormalities of the subject based on structural brain imaging of brain regions involved in olfactory function. More specifically, the processor can measure brain structural abnormalities of the subject through the volume or gray matter thickness of brain regions involved in olfactory function. At this time, the brain regions involved in olfactory function may include a total of 10 brain structures, including the left and right entorhinal cortex, left and right amygdala, left and right hippocampus, ventral diencephalon, orbitofrontal cortex, and left and right insula.

[0067] The processor can measure the volume and gray matter thickness of each of these brain structures, and compare the brain structure abnormality measurement results according to the volume and gray matter thickness of each measured brain structure with the brain structure abnormality measurement results of a comparison group of similar age and gender to the subject, and quantify them. For example, if the volume of the subject's left hippocampus is measured to be 80% of that of the comparison group, the processor can calculate the index value of the brain structure abnormality measurement result for the volume of the left hippocampus as 0.8 points.

[0068] In the same way, if the gray matter thickness of the ventral diencephalon of the examinee is measured to be 70% of that of the control group, the processor can calculate an index value of 0.7 points for the brain structure abnormality measurement result for the gray matter thickness of the ventral diencephalon. Therefore, the index value of the brain structure abnormality measurement result is calculated from a minimum of 0 points to a maximum of 20 points by 10 brain structures, and a higher index value can mean that the major brain regions involved in the olfactory function are at a similar level to the control group.

[0069] The processor can evaluate the general olfactory function of the subject for a preset number of recognizable olfactory stimuli. More specifically, the processor can quantify the results of the general olfactory function evaluation of the subject based on a task of recognizing the preset number of olfactory stimuli, a task of measuring the lowest concentration that the subject can recognize, and a task of discriminating the preset number of olfactory stimuli. In this case, the olfactory stimuli for evaluating the general olfactory function must be familiar to the subject so that the subject can discriminate the olfactory stimuli.

[0070] For example, olfactory stimuli for assessing general olfactory function may include banana, chocolate, cinnamon, pineapple, and soap scents. However, the types of olfactory stimuli for assessing general olfactory function are merely examples and are not limited to the above examples.

[0071] At this time, the processor awards 0 or 1 point depending on whether the subject recognizes the presented olfactory stimulus, awards 0 to 1 point by calculating the lowest concentration that the subject can recognize for the presented olfactory stimulus as a percentage by comparing it with the comparison group, and awards 0 or 1 point depending on whether the subject can distinguish the presented olfactory stimulus, thereby calculating an index value for the general olfactory function evaluation result. Therefore, the index value according to the general olfactory function evaluation result can be converted to a minimum of 0 point and a maximum of 15 points, and a higher index value can mean that the olfactory function is at a similar level to the comparison group.

[0072] The processor can identify general medical information about the subject based on the presence or absence of specific medical conditions. More specifically, the processor can use characteristics such as age and gender, which are closely related to cognitive function, as indicators for measuring the risk of cognitive decline. Furthermore, the processor can also use the presence of internal medical conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, surgical conditions such as traumatic brain injury, and psychiatric conditions such as depression and anxiety disorders, all of which are closely related to cognitive function, as indicators for measuring the risk of cognitive decline.

[0073] The processor can assign a score of 0 to 5 to internal medical conditions such as hypertension and diabetes based on characteristics such as the subject's age and gender, by evaluating the type of disease, year of first diagnosis, whether treatment was received, and medication history. For example, the processor can assign a higher score to a subject in their 30s with hypertension or diabetes than to a subject in their 60s. At this time, the processor can also evaluate whether blood pressure or blood sugar is normally managed with prescription medication or other therapeutic methods and assign a score. In addition, the processor can assign a score of 0 to 5 to surgical conditions such as traumatic brain injury based on characteristics such as the subject's age and gender, by evaluating the presence and severity of brain damage. Similarly, the processor can assign a score of 0 to 5 to psychiatric conditions such as depression and anxiety disorder based on characteristics such as the subject's age and gender, by evaluating the type of disease, year of first diagnosis, whether the disease persists, and medication history.

[0074] The processor can calculate an index value for the general medical information identification result of the subject based on the subject's internal medical, surgical, and psychiatric conditions, along with other characteristics such as age and gender. The index value for the general medical information identification result can be converted to a score ranging from 0 to 15, with a higher index value indicating a lower risk of cognitive decline.

[0075]

[0076] Cognitive function decline risk index Total score range Results of olfactory function test using functional brain imaging (A) 0~50 Results of brain structure abnormality measurement using structural brain imaging (B) 0~20 Results of general olfactory function evaluation (C) 0~15 Results of general medical information identification (D) 0~15

[0077] The processor can determine the subject's risk of cognitive decline based on the indicator values ​​of the cognitive decline risk indicator measured in this manner. More specifically, the processor can evaluate the subject's risk of cognitive decline as shown in Equation 1 below by adding the results of the olfactory function test through functional brain imaging (A), the results of the brain structure abnormality measurement through structural brain imaging (B), the results of the general olfactory function evaluation (C), and the results of the general medical information identification (D).

[0078]

[0079] <Formula 1>

[0080] Risk of cognitive decline = 100 - (A + B + C + D) (%)

[0081] For example, if the index value of the result of the olfactory function test through functional brain imaging (A) is 30 points, the index value of the result of the brain structure abnormality measurement through structural brain imaging (B) is 10 points, the index value of the result of the general olfactory function evaluation (C) is 5 points, and the index value of the result of the general medical information identification (D) is 10 points, the processor can calculate the risk of cognitive function decline of the subject as 100 - (30 + 10 + 5 + 10) = 45 (%) according to Equation 1.

[0082] If the risk of cognitive decline of the subject calculated in operation (240) is determined to be safe because it is above a preset standard, the processor can terminate the cognitive decline risk measurement system.

[0083] In contrast, if the risk of cognitive decline of the subject calculated in operation (240) is determined to be dangerous because it is below a preset standard, the processor can generate a report for managing the risk of cognitive decline of the subject in operation (250) and provide it to the user.

[0084]

[0085] The embodiments described above may be implemented using hardware components, software components, and / or a combination of hardware components and software components. For example, the devices, methods, and components described in the embodiments may be implemented using a general-purpose computer or a special-purpose computer, such as, for example, a processor, a controller, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic unit (PLU), a microprocessor, or any other device capable of executing instructions and responding to them. The processing device may execute an operating system (OS) and software applications running on the operating system. Furthermore, the processing device may access, store, manipulate, process, and generate data in response to the execution of the software. For ease of understanding, the processing device is sometimes described as being used alone; however, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the processing device may include multiple processing elements and / or multiple types of processing elements. For example, a processing unit may include multiple processors, or a processor and a controller. Other processing configurations, such as parallel processors, are also possible.

[0086] Software may include a computer program, code, instructions, or a combination of one or more of these, and may configure a processing device to perform a desired operation or, independently or collectively, command the processing device. The software and / or data may be stored in any type of machine, component, physical device, virtual equipment, computer storage medium, or device for interpretation by the processing device or for providing instructions or data to the processing device. The software may also be distributed over networked computer systems and stored or executed in a distributed manner. The software and data may be stored on a computer-readable recording medium.

[0087] The method according to the embodiment may be implemented in the form of program commands that can be executed through various computer means and recorded on a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium may store program commands, data files, data structures, etc., alone or in combination, and the program commands recorded on the medium may be those specially designed and configured for the embodiment or may be known and available to those skilled in the art of computer software. Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tapes, optical media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs, magneto-optical media such as floptical disks, and hardware devices specially configured to store and execute program commands, such as ROMs, RAMs, and flash memories. Examples of program commands include not only machine language codes such as those generated by a compiler, but also high-level language codes that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter, etc.

[0088] The hardware devices described above may be configured to operate as one or more software modules to perform the operations of the embodiments, and vice versa.

[0089] Although the embodiments described above have been described with limited drawings, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various technical modifications and variations can be applied based on the described embodiments. For example, appropriate results can still be achieved even if the described techniques are performed in a different order than described, and / or components of the described systems, structures, devices, circuits, etc. are combined or combined in a different manner than described, or are replaced or substituted with other components or equivalents.

[0090] Therefore, other implementations, other embodiments, and equivalents to the claims also fall within the scope of the claims described below.

Claims

1. In electronic devices, one or more processors; and A memory comprising one or more storage media for storing instructions, The above instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the one or more processors, cause the electronic device to: The olfactory function of the subject was examined based on functional brain imaging in response to multiple olfactory stimuli. Based on structural brain imaging of the brain region involved in the above olfactory function, the brain structural abnormality of the subject is measured, The above test subject evaluates general olfactory function for a preset number of recognizable olfactory stimuli, An operation of identifying general medical information of the subject based on whether the subject has a disease according to the characteristics of the subject; and Based on the results of the above olfactory function test, brain structure abnormality measurement, general olfactory function evaluation, and general medical information identification, the risk of cognitive decline of the subject is determined. Electronic devices.

2. In paragraph 1, The above instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the one or more processors, cause the electronic device to: Obtain functional brain images of the subject in response to multiple olfactory stimuli distinguished by different types of emotions, By comparing the functional brain image of the identified subject with the functional brain image of a comparison group having similar characteristics to the subject, the brain activity of the subject is identified compared to the comparison group. To quantify the results of the olfactory function test of the above-mentioned subject by applying a weight according to the emotional type of the olfactory stimulus that causes the brain activity of the above-mentioned subject to the brain activity of the above-mentioned subject. Electronic devices.

3. In paragraph 2, The above instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the one or more processors, cause the electronic device to: Obtaining functional brain images observed from the subject when the lowest concentration of olfactory stimulus that the subject can recognize is presented, To obtain functional brain images observed from the subject when an olfactory stimulus of a concentration at a threshold level that can be recognized by the people included in the above comparison group is presented. Electronic devices.

4. In paragraph 2, The above instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the one or more processors, cause the electronic device to: Applying a high weight to the brain activity of the identified test subject in the order of the olfactory stimulus that is neutral to the above emotion, the olfactory stimulus that induces positive emotion, and the olfactory stimulus that induces negative emotion. Electronic devices.

5. In paragraph 1, The above instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the one or more processors, cause the electronic device to: Measure the volume or thickness of gray matter in the brain region involved in the above olfactory function, Comparing the volume or thickness of gray matter of the measured brain region with the volume or thickness of gray matter of the brain region of a comparison group having similar characteristics to the subject, and quantifying the results of measuring abnormalities in the brain structure of the subject compared to the comparison group. Electronic devices.

6. In paragraph 1, The above instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the one or more processors, cause the electronic device to: The results of the general olfactory function evaluation of the subject are quantified based on the task of recognizing the olfactory stimulus of the preset number of olfactory stimuli, the task of measuring the lowest concentration that the subject can recognize, and the task of distinguishing the olfactory stimulus of the preset number of olfactory stimuli. Electronic devices.

7. In paragraph 1, The above instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the one or more processors, cause the electronic device to: To quantify the results of identifying the general medical information of the subject based on the subject's internal medical diseases, surgical diseases, and psychiatric diseases. Electronic devices.

8. In paragraph 1, The above instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the one or more processors, cause the electronic device to: Identify numerical values corresponding to the above olfactory function test results, brain structure abnormality measurement results, general olfactory function evaluation results, and general medical information identification results, To determine the risk of cognitive decline of the subject based on the sum of the numerical values identified above. Electronic devices.

9. In the method of operating an electronic device, An action to examine the olfactory function of a subject based on functional brain imaging in response to multiple olfactory stimuli; An action of measuring brain structural abnormalities of the subject based on structural brain imaging of the brain region involved in the above olfactory function; An action to assess general olfactory function for a preset number of recognizable olfactory stimuli by the subject; An operation of identifying general medical information of the subject based on whether the subject has a disease according to the characteristics of the subject; and An operation to determine the risk of cognitive decline of the subject based on the results of the above olfactory function test, brain structure abnormality measurement, general olfactory function evaluation, and general medical information identification. A method of operation including:

10. In paragraph 9, The action of examining the above olfactory function is: An action of acquiring functional brain images of the subject in response to multiple olfactory stimuli distinguished by different types of emotions; An operation of comparing the functional brain image of the identified subject with the functional brain image of a comparison group having similar characteristics to the subject and identifying the brain activity of the subject compared to the comparison group; and An operation of quantifying the results of an olfactory function test of the above-identified test subject by applying a weight according to the emotional type of the olfactory stimulus that causes the brain activity of the above-identified test subject. A method of operation including:

11. In paragraph 10, The action of obtaining functional brain images of the above subject is An operation of obtaining a functional brain image observed from the subject when the subject is presented with an olfactory stimulus of the lowest concentration that the subject can perceive; and An action of obtaining functional brain images observed from the subject when an olfactory stimulus of a concentration at a threshold level that can be recognized by people included in the above comparison group is presented. A method of operation including:

12. In paragraph 10, The action of quantifying the results of the olfactory function test of the above subject is as follows: A method of applying a high weight to the brain activity of the identified test subject in the order of an olfactory stimulus that is neutral to the above emotion, an olfactory stimulus that induces a positive emotion, and an olfactory stimulus that induces a negative emotion.

13. In paragraph 9, The action of measuring the brain structure abnormality of the above subject is, An action to measure the volume or thickness of gray matter in the brain region involved in the above olfactory function; and An operation of comparing the volume or thickness of gray matter of the measured brain region with the volume or thickness of gray matter of the brain region of a comparison group having similar characteristics to the subject, and quantifying the results of measuring abnormalities in the brain structure of the subject compared to the comparison group. A method of operation including:

14. In paragraph 9, The above actions to evaluate the general olfactory function of the subject are: An operation of quantifying the results of the general olfactory function evaluation of the subject based on a task of recognizing the olfactory stimulus of the preset number of olfactory stimuli, a task of measuring the lowest concentration that the subject can recognize, and a task of distinguishing the olfactory stimulus of the preset number of olfactory stimuli. A method of operation including:

15. In paragraph 9, The action of identifying the general medical information of the above subject is: An operation of digitizing the results of identifying the general medical information of the subject based on the subject's internal medical diseases, surgical diseases, and psychiatric diseases. A method of operation including:

16. In paragraph 9, The action to determine the risk of cognitive decline in the above-mentioned subject is: An operation of identifying numerical values corresponding to the results of the above olfactory function test, brain structure abnormality measurement, general olfactory function evaluation, and general medical information identification; and An operation to determine the risk of cognitive decline of the subject based on the sum of the numerical values identified above. A method of operation including:

17. In the method of operating an electronic device, A step of measuring the cognitive function of the examinee through a cognitive function assessment; An operation of examining the olfactory function of the subject based on functional brain imaging for multiple olfactory stimuli, when the cognitive function of the subject measured above is evaluated to be at a normal level; An action of measuring brain structural abnormalities of the subject based on structural brain imaging of the brain region involved in the above olfactory function; An action to assess general olfactory function for a preset number of recognizable olfactory stimuli by the subject; An operation of identifying general medical information of the subject based on whether the subject has a disease according to the characteristics of the subject; and An operation to determine the risk of cognitive decline of the subject based on the results of the above olfactory function test, brain structure abnormality measurement, general olfactory function evaluation, and general medical information identification. A method of operation including:

18. In paragraph 17, The action of examining the above olfactory function is: An action of acquiring functional brain images of the subject in response to multiple olfactory stimuli distinguished by different types of emotions; An operation of comparing the functional brain image of the identified subject with the functional brain image of a comparison group having similar characteristics to the subject and identifying the brain activity of the subject compared to the comparison group; and An operation of quantifying the results of an olfactory function test of the above-identified test subject by applying a weight according to the emotional type of the olfactory stimulus that causes the brain activity of the above-identified test subject. A method of operation including:

19. In paragraph 17, The action of measuring the brain structure abnormality of the above subject is, An action to measure the volume or thickness of gray matter in the brain region involved in the above olfactory function; and An operation of comparing the volume or thickness of gray matter of the measured brain region with the volume or thickness of gray matter of the brain region of a comparison group having similar characteristics to the subject, and quantifying the results of measuring abnormalities in the brain structure of the subject compared to the comparison group. A method of operation including:

20. In paragraph 17, The above actions to evaluate the general olfactory function of the subject are: An operation of quantifying the results of the general olfactory function evaluation of the subject based on a task of recognizing the olfactory stimulus of the preset number of olfactory stimuli, a task of measuring the lowest concentration that the subject can recognize, and a task of distinguishing the olfactory stimulus of the preset number of olfactory stimuli. Including, The action of identifying the general medical information of the above subject is: An operation of digitizing the results of identifying the general medical information of the subject based on the subject's internal medical diseases, surgical diseases, and psychiatric diseases. A method of operation including:

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