Object recognition testing tools and techniques for measuring cognitive ability and cognitive impairment

Abstract

Techniques and tools for measuring cognitive ability and/or detecting cognitive impairment or decline. For example, techniques and tools are described that can be used to diagnose or test susceptibility to cognitive impairments in children or in elderly people (such as cognitive impairments associated with Alzheimer's Disease). Techniques and tools are described that can be used to evaluate treatment effects and/or measure cognitive decline over time.

1 . A method comprising:
 receiving input from a user as the user takes a test in which the user identifies novel images, if any, among plural images presented to the user and identifies novel locations, if any, among the plural images presented to the user;   measuring performance of the user in the test based at least in part upon the received input; and   using the measured performance of the user on the test in analysis of cognitive status.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the test includes
 presenting a first set of images organized by location to the user; and   presenting a second set of images organized by location to the user, wherein one or more images of the second set of images differs in image content and/or image location relative to the first set of images.   
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the measured performance includes a novel location score indicating performance of the user in identifying changes in locations of images. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the measured performance includes a novel image score indicating performance of the user in identifying new images in a second set of one or more images relative to a first set of one or more images. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the measured performance includes a no change score indicating performance of the user in identifying situations with no change in image content or image location for a second set of one or more images relative to a first set of one or more images. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the measured performance includes:
 immediate performance results indicating performance of the user in a first round of the test, the first round occurring a first delay period after reviewing a training set of one or more images for the test; and   delayed performance results indicating performance of the user in a second round of the test, the second round occurring a second delay period after the first round of the test.   
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the first delay period is less than one minute and the second delay period is approximately five minutes. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the second delay period is set to measure memory retention performance of the user. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 measuring neural activity of the user with a magnetic resonance imaging tool as the user takes the test, wherein the analysis of cognitive status is also based at least in part on the measured neural activity.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 measuring neural activity of the user with a functional magnetic resonance imaging tool as the user takes the test, wherein the analysis of cognitive status is based at least in part on the measured neural activity.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein software implements the test, coordinates presentation of the test to the user, and coordinates receipt of the input from the user. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a personal computer system presents the test to the user. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein a server computer system provides the test to the personal computer system over a network connection. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the input includes keyboard input, touchpad input, or voice input. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the input is an indication of no change, change in image or change in location between a second set of one or more images and a first set of or more images. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the analysis of cognitive status is used to detect presence or extent of age-related cognitive decline. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the age-related cognitive decline is a decline in memory performance or learning performance. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the analysis of cognitive status is used to detect presence or extent of pediatric cognitive disability. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pediatric cognitive disability is a memory performance problem or learning performance problem. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the analysis of cognitive status is used to detect presence or extent of progression of Alzheimer's disease. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the analysis of cognitive status is used to detect presence of a characteristic of pre-clinical Alzheimer's disease. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the analysis of cognitive status is used to measure responsiveness of the user to treatment of Alzheimer's disease. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 setting or adjusting a treatment regimen for the user based at least in part on the analysis of cognitive status.   
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 comparing the analysis of cognitive status to one or more prior analyses of cognitive status to assess change in cognitive status of the user.   
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the analysis comprises adjusting for effects of sex and/or age on the measured performance. 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the analysis comprises adjusting for effects of learning the test on the measured performance. 
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein analysis of cognitive status further comprises analysis of a response of the user to a therapeutic intervention to treat cognitive decline. 
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the therapeutic intervention comprises a drug therapy. 
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the analysis of a response of the user further comprises determining a therapeutic dose of the drug therapy. 
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the therapeutic intervention is a proposed intervention that is being studied for efficacy. 
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the therapeutic intervention is an APOE ε3 or APOE ε2 mimetic, a cholinesterase inhibitor, an N-methyl-aspartate receptor antagonist, hormone therapy, or a vitamin. 
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the analysis is performed by a software tool that includes pattern recognition or other artificial intelligence aspects. 
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the analysis and the measuring performance are performed by an integrated software tool. 
   
   
       34 . A method comprising:
 receiving input from a user as the user takes a test in which the user identifies novel images, if any, among plural images presented to the user and identifies novel locations, if any, among the plural images presented to the user;   measuring performance of the user in the test based at least in part upon the received input; and   using the measured performance of the user on the test in analysis of cognitive status;   wherein the measured performance includes one or more of a novel location score indicating performance of the user in identifying changes in locations of images, a novel image score indicating performance of the user in identifying new images in a second set of one or more images relative to a first set of one or more images, and a no change score indicating performance of the user in identifying situations with no change in image content or image location for a second set of one or more images relative to a first set of one or more images.   
   
   
       35 . A method comprising:
 receiving input from a user known to have a first genotype as the user takes a test in which the user identifies novel images, if any, among plural images presented to the user and identifies novel locations, if any, among the plural images presented to the user;   measuring performance of the user in the test based at least in part upon the received input; and   comparing the measured performance of the user on the test to measured performances for a user group for the first genotype.   
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 35  wherein the first genotype is an APOE genotype.