Self-scoring method and apparatus for early self-screening of neurological disease

Abstract

A self-administered and self-scoring test kit and method for early self-screening of neurological disease, by detection of diminished olfactory function. The test kit is comprised of a plurality of pages; attached to each page ( 28 ) via adhesive is a microencapsulated strip ( 36 ) that, when scratched, releases a different, distinct odor. The test kit has instructions that provide for self-administration ( 33 ) and self-scoring ( 46 ) of the test, and identification of a threshold score ( 48 ) as a self-screening method for possible neurological disease and need to consult a physician.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An olfactory test for self-screening of a neurological disease, comprising: 
 a booklet including a plurality of pages;    an odor-containing source on one page of the plurality of pages;    a plurality of labels providing choices of possible identity of the odor-containing source;    an answer key on one page of the plurality of pages correctly identifying the odor-containing source; and    an instruction on one page of the plurality of pages for self-scoring the olfactory test from the answer key to determine a number of incorrect answers that indicate a positive result of the olfactory test.    
     
     
         2 . The olfactory test of  claim 1 , further including a first instruction to take further action regarding the neurological disease upon self-scoring the positive result of the olfactory test.  
     
     
         3 . The olfactory test of  claim 1 , wherein the instruction includes: 
 a first instruction to compare a selected label from the plurality of labels to the answer key;    a second instruction to indicate an incorrect answer; and    a third instruction to ascertain the number of incorrect answers.    
     
     
         4 . The olfactory test of  claim 1 , further including a first instruction to take further action upon a negative result of the olfactory test yet experiencing symptoms of the neurological disease.  
     
     
         5 . The olfactory test of  claim 1 , wherein the answer key includes a correct answer for each odor-containing source such that incorrect answers can be indicated.  
     
     
         6 . The olfactory test of  claim 1 , further including an area to record the number of incorrect answers.  
     
     
         7 . The olfactory test of  claim 1 , further including a cover over the answer key.  
     
     
         8 . The olfactory test of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of labels selected for the odor-containing source are distinctly different from one another.  
     
     
         9 . The olfactory test of  claim 1 , wherein the odor-containing source has a unique distinguishing visual feature.  
     
     
         10 . The olfactory test of  claim 1 , wherein the neurological disease is Alzheimer's disease.  
     
     
         11 . An olfactory test booklet, comprising: 
 a first page including an instruction for use of an olfactory test;    a plurality of second pages each including an odor-containing source;    a plurality of labels providing choices of possible identity for each odor-containing source;    a third page including an answer key correctly identifying each odor-containing source; and    a fourth page including an instruction for self-scoring the olfactory test from the answer key to determine a number of incorrect answers that indicate a positive result of the olfactory test.    
     
     
         12 . The olfactory test booklet of  claim 11 , further including: 
 a first page including, 
 (a) a first instruction to compare a selected label from the plurality of labels to the answer key;  
 (b) a second instruction to indicate an incorrect answer; and  
 (c) a third instruction to ascertain the number of incorrect answers.  
   
     
     
         13 . The olfactory test booklet of  claim 11 , wherein the answer key includes a correct answer for each odor-containing source such that incorrect answers can be indicated;  
     
     
         14 . The olfactory test booklet of  claim 11 , further including a first page with an area to record the number of incorrect answers.  
     
     
         15 . The olfactory test booklet of  claim 11 , further including a cover over the answer key.  
     
     
         16 . The olfactory test booklet of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of labels selected for the odor-containing source are distinctly different from one another.  
     
     
         17 . The olfactory test booklet of  claim 11 , wherein four labels are selected for each odor-containing source.  
     
     
         18 . The olfactory test booklet of  claim 11 , wherein the odor-containing source has a unique distinguishing visual feature.  
     
     
         19 . A method of self-screening of a neurological disease, comprising: 
 providing an odor-containing source capable of releasing an odor;    providing a plurality of labels as choices of possible identity of the odor-containing source;    providing an answer key which correctly identifies the odor-containing source to compare against a selected label from the plurality of labels; and    providing an instruction for self-scoring using the answer key to determine a number of incorrectly selected labels that indicate a positive result.    
     
     
         20 . The method of self-screening in  claim 19 , further including providing a first instruction to take further action regarding the neurological disease upon the positive result.  
     
     
         21 . The method of self-screening in  claim 19 , further including providing a first instruction to take further action upon a negative result yet experiencing symptoms of the neurological disease.  
     
     
         22 . The method of self-screening in  claim 19 , further including providing a cover over the answer key.  
     
     
         23 . The method of self-screening in  claim 19 , further including selecting a plurality of labels for the odor-containing source that are distinctly different from one another.  
     
     
         24 . A method of manufacturing an olfactory test booklet, comprising: 
 assembling the olfactory test booklet including a plurality of pages;    printing a first page including an instruction for use of an olfactory test;    printing a second page and applying an odor-containing source to the second page;    printing a plurality of labels providing choices of possible identity for each odor-containing source;    printing a third page including an answer key correctly identifying each odor-containing source; and    printing a fourth page including an instruction for self-scoring the olfactory test from the answer key to determine a number of incorrect answers that indicate a positive result of the olfactory test.    
     
     
         25 . The method of manufacturing in  claim 24 , further including printing a plurality of second pages and applying one odor-containing source to each page of the plurality of second pages.  
     
     
         26 . The method of manufacturing in  claim 24 , further including assembling a cover over the answer key.  
     
     
         27 . The method of manufacturing in  claim 24 , further including printing a first page including an area to record the number of incorrect answers.  
     
     
         28 . An olfactory test kit for self-screening of a neurological disease, comprising: 
 an odor-containing source capable of releasing an odor;    an area for recording possible identity of the odor;    an answer key correctly identifying the odor; and    an instruction for self-scoring the olfactory test from the answer key to determine a number of incorrect answers that indicate a positive result.    
     
     
         29 . The olfactory test kit in  claim 28 , wherein the area for recording the possible identity of the odor includes a plurality of labels providing choices of the possible identity of the odor.  
     
     
         30 . The olfactory test kit in  claim 28 , wherein the olfactory test is a booklet.  
     
     
         31 . The olfactory test kit in  claim 28 , further including a first sheet with an instruction for use of the olfactory test.  
     
     
         32 . The olfactory test kit in  claim 28 , further including a first sheet with an instruction about the olfactory test for a healthcare professional.  
     
     
         33 . The olfactory test kit in  claim 28 , further including an instrument for releasing the odor from the odor-containing source.  
     
     
         34 . The olfactory test kit in  claim 28 , further including a cover over the answer key.  
     
     
         35 . The olfactory test kit in  claim 28 , further including an area to record the number of incorrect answers.  
     
     
         36 . The olfactory test kit in  claim 28 , further including an instrument for recording the possible identity of the odor-containing source.  
     
     
         37 . The olfactory test kit in  claim 28 , further including an instrument for self-scoring the olfactory test.