Subjective significance evaluation tool, brain activity based

Abstract

A method and system for determining the subjective state of mind of a human subject presented with a test audible or visual stimulus. An electroencephalogram (EEG) recording unit is connected to the human subject, recording the subject's EEG when presented with one or more test stimuli. The recorded EEG signal is then transformed to a 3-D map in order to visualize the brain areas that were active when presenting the test stimuli. The given 3-D map of the test stimuli is then compared with reference 3-D maps of neutral and subjectively significant stimuli.

1 . A method for determining the subjective state of mind of a human subject: presented with a test stimulus comprising the steps of: 
 (i) connecting an electroencephalogram (EEG) recording unit to the human subject;    (ii) presenting human subject with one or more test stimuli;    (iii) recording the human subject's EEG;    (iv) performing a 3-D reconstruction of the recorded EEG signal in order to visualize the brain areas that were active when presenting said one or more test stimuli; and    (v) comparing human subject's reactions to test stimuli to reference data in order to determine if said one or more test stimuli are subjectively significant or not.    
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said reference data comprises 3-D reconstructions of EEG signals of subjectively significant stimuli and/or 3-D reconstructions of EEG signals of neutral stimuli.  
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein said 3-D reconstructions of EEG signals of neutral stimuli is obtained from reactions to neutral stimuli and/or from predetermined mapping of certain brain area known to be activated during different mind states.  
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein said 3-D reconstructions of EEG signals of neutral stimuli are obtained using the following steps: 
 (i) connecting an electroencephalogram (EEG) recording unit to the human subject;    (ii) preparing a list of significant and neutral reference stimuli;    (iii) providing reference stimuli to the subject and recording his ERP;    (iv) using a computer unit to receive the recorded EEG and perform 3-D reconstruction of the EEG signal; and    (v) performing analysis of subject mental reaction to reference stimuli.    
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said test stimuli are provided via earphones, a computer screen and/or television monitor.  
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 1 , further including the step of recording the human subject's Peripheral Arterial Tonometry (PAT).  
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 1 , for use in one or more of the following applications: a psychological evaluation tool; a tool for identification of subjectively significant response in comatose patients; a tool for identification of a specific response in demented patients; a tool for evaluation of psychological response in psychiatric patients; a tool for evaluation of psychological response in autistic children; a tool for evaluation of subjectively significant response in locked in syndrome patients; or a lie detector.  
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein neural sources are detected.  
   
   
       9 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein comparing human subject's reactions to test stimuli to reference data reveals specific brain responses.  
   
   
       10 . A system for determining the subjective state of mind of a human subject presented with a test stimulus comprising: 
 (i) an electroencephalogram (EEG) recording unit connected to the human subject;    (ii) means for providing stimuli to the human subject;    (iii) a computer unit adapted for receiving the recorded EEG signal and performing a 3-D reconstruction of the recorded EEG signal in order to visualize the brain areas that were active when presenting said test stimuli; and    (iv) means for comparing human subject's reactions to test stimuli to reference data.    
   
   
       11 . A system according to  claim 10 , wherein said reference data comprises 3-D reconstructions of EEG signals of subjectively significant stimuli and/or 3-D reconstructions of EEG signals of neutral stimuli.  
   
   
       12 . A system according to  claim 11 , wherein said 3-D reconstructions of EEG signals of neutral stimuli is obtained from reactions to neutral stimuli and/or from predetermined mapping of certain brain area known to be activated during different mind states.  
   
   
       13 . A system according to  claim 11 , wherein said 3-D reconstructions of EEG signals of neutral stimuli comprises: 
 (i) an electroencephalogram (EEG) recording unit connected to the human subject;    (ii) a list of significant and neutral reference stimuli;    (iii) means for providing reference stimuli to the subject and recording his ERP;    (iv) a computer unit adapted to receive the recorded EEG and perform 3-D reconstruction of the EEG signal; and    (v) means for performing analysis of subject mental reaction to reference stimuli.    
   
   
       14 . A system according to  claim 10 , wherein said test stimuli are provided via earphones, a computer screen and/or television monitor.  
   
   
       15 . A system according to  claim 10 , further comprising means for recording the human subject's Peripheral Arterial Tonometry (PAT).  
   
   
       16 . A system according to  claim 10 , for use in one or more of the following applications: a psychological evaluation tool; a tool for identification of subjectively significant response in comatose patients; a tool for identification of a specific response in demented patients; a tool for evaluation of psychological response in psychiatric patients; a tool for evaluation of psychological response in autistic children; a tool for evaluation of subjectively significant response in locked in syndrome patients; or a lie detector.  
   
   
       17 . A system according to  claim 10 , wherein neural sources are detected.  
   
   
       18 . A system according to  claim 10 , wherein comparing human subject's reactions to test stimuli to reference data reveals specific brain responses.