Qualimetric Biomarkers for Information Processing Speed Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for assessing information processing speed, such as the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), fail to accurately dissect the different stages of this process, leading to potential false assessments and diagnoses of neurological disorders due to compensations between impaired and non-impaired steps.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that determines qualimetric activity parameters for sensory transmission, cognition, and motoric output by analyzing preexisting datasets of cognitive oculomotor activity measurements, allowing for a detailed assessment of information processing speed through a mobile device or system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing assessment methods like SDMT are used, then the assessment process is simple and quick, but the measurement precision is insufficient due to inability to dissect different stages of information processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the information processing assessment into three distinct stages: sensorial transmission (measured by reaction time in baseline task), cognitive processing (measured by substitution time in symbol-digit task), and motoric output (measured by response time). This segmentation allows each stage to be measured separately with dedicated parameters, resolving the contradiction by improving measurement precision through stage-specific metrics while managing complexity through a structured multi-task approach.
2Measurement precision
If comprehensive assessment of all information processing stages is performed, then the measurement precision improves, but the loss of time increases due to multiple measurement tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple assessment functions into a unified testing framework where two tasks (baseline digit matching and symbol-digit substitution) are administered sequentially to the same subject. This combining approach allows comprehensive measurement of all three information processing stages without requiring separate testing sessions, thereby improving measurement precision while minimizing time loss through efficient task integration.
3Reliability
If traditional assessment methods are used, then the ease of operation is high, but the reliability is reduced due to compensations between impaired and non-impaired steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent improves reliability by segmenting the assessment into stage-specific measurements that prevent compensation effects. By measuring reaction time (sensorial), substitution time (cognitive), and response time (motoric) separately through distinct task components, the system identifies impairments at specific stages rather than allowing compensated overall performance to mask underlying deficits, thereby enhancing assessment reliability.
4Measurement precision
If detailed qualimetric parameters are determined for each stage, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases due to multiple parameter calculations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using a single mobile computing device to perform multiple functions: presenting visual stimuli, recording timing data, calculating qualimetric parameters (reaction time, substitution time, response time), and generating assessments. This multi-functional approach improves measurement precision through comprehensive parameter calculation while containing system complexity by consolidating all functions into one universal platform rather than requiring separate specialized devices.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to the field of neurological assessments and, in particular, to the assessment of Information Processing Speed in the context of drug research and development, diagnostics and patient and health care management. More specifically, it pertains to a computer-implemented method for automatically assessing information processing speed in a test subject comprising the steps of determining at least one first qualimetric activity parameter for sensorial transmission, cognition and motoric output activity and at least one second qualimetric activity parameter for sensorial transmission and motoric output activity in a preexisting dataset of cognitive oculomotor activity measurements obtained from said test subject, determining at least one third qualimetric activity parameter for cognition by comparing the said first and the said second qualimetric activity parameter to each other, and assessing the information processing speed in a subject based on the at least one first, second and third qualimetric activity parameter. The present invention further contemplates a method for determining cognitive impairment in a subject suspected to suffer therefrom comprising determining information processing speed, and determining the cognitive impairment based on the determined information processing speed. The invention also provides for a mobile device or system for carrying out the methods of the invention as well as the use of said mobile device or system for assessing information processing speed and/or cognitive impairment.