Concussion eye tracking test
For computerized assessment of neurocognitive function, ImPACT (Immediate Post-concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) is a widely used FDA-approved tool that provides baseline and post-injury assessment of visual memory, verbal memory, reaction time, and processing speed ( 7– 9).
Prior work in developing concussion screening technologies has primarily focused on active task-oriented protocols, such as cognitive tests and target-based eye tracking. Over time, repeated subconcussive blows to the head during sports may also have cumulative and long-lasting neurological effects ( 5, 6). An athlete with an undiagnosed concussion who is not removed from the field may experience subsequent repetitive head impacts during play, with even mild mechanical head impacts exacerbating the original injury and complicating recovery ( 4). At the same time, immediate removal from activity after concussion is associated with less time away from activity, a shorter symptomatic period, and better clinical outcomes ( 4). In many cases overt symptoms of concussion may be fleeting or may only emerge over a period of several days following the insult ( 2, 3). Mild concussions may not meet criteria for concussion with sufficient clarity to justify removing the individual from activity. With ongoing diagnostic challenges in concussion screening assessment, medical professionals face difficult real-time decisions about whether or not it is safe for athletes or Soldiers to continue performing after experiencing head impacts during play or on the battlefield. Over the past decade, awareness and concern regarding the adverse effects of subconcussive head injuries has grown, particularly in the areas of sport and the military ( 1). These results indicate the potential to predict cognitive performance from passive monitoring of fine motor movements and brain activity, offering initial support for future application in detection of performance deficits associated with subconcussive events. Within-subject changes over time were predicted with r = 0.34. The predictions correlated with the true latent factor with r = 0.71. Based on a regression model, the complexity features were combined across sensor modalities and used to predict the latent factor on out-of-sample subjects. Strong correlations, ranging between r = 0.26 and r = 0.49, were found between this latent factor and complexity features derived from each sensor modality. This latent factor was positively correlated with four of the ImPACT composites: verbal memory, visual memory, visual motor speed and reaction speed. The first principal component of the six ImPACT composite scores was used as a latent factor that represents cognitive functioning. Hypotheses were that (1) measures of complexity of fine motor coordination and of resting state brain activity are predictive of cognitive functioning measured by the ImPACT test, and (2) within-subject changes in these measures over the course of a sports season are predictive of changes in ImPACT scores. Thirty-one high school American football and soccer athletes were tracked through the course of a sports season. The focus of the present study is to investigate the potential for using passive measurements of fine motor movements (smooth pursuit eye tracking and read speech) and resting state brain activity (measured using fMRI) to complement existing diagnostic tools, such as the Immediate Post-concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT), that are used for this purpose. Unobtrusive measurement and tracking of cognitive functioning is needed to enable preventative interventions for people at elevated risk of concussive injury. Repeated subconcussive blows to the head during sports or other contact activities may have a cumulative and long lasting effect on cognitive functioning. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA, United States 4Electrical and Computer Engineering/Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States.3Advanced RF Techniques & Systems, MIT Lincoln Laboratory, Lexington, MA, United States.2Counter-WMD Systems, MIT Lincoln Laboratory, Lexington, MA, United States.1Human Health and Performance Systems, MIT Lincoln Laboratory, Lexington, MA, United States.Shenk 3, Sophia Yuditskaya 1, Hrishikesh M.
Williamson 1 *, Doug Sturim 1 *, Trina Vian 2, Joseph Lacirignola 2, Trey E.