Methods Of Measuring Head, Neck, And Brain Function And Predicting And Diagnosing Memory Impairment

Abstract

A computer based method and system forms measurements of brain function and predictions of a likelihood for memory impairment via the use of cameras, including a near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopic device and a camera capturing images in the Red-Green-Blue (RGB) spectrum. The device acquires from a subject measurements of ions, molecules, or combinations thereof at more than one moment in time, as well as amplitude and timing of blood pulsations. Based on the measured molecule or ion concentration, flow, and so forth, a processor assesses the probability of a neuron to form an action potential. Formation of an action potential increases the probability that the subject individual will create a memory.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for predicting a likelihood for memory impairment in an individual, the method comprising:
 a) using a near infrared spectroscopic device on an individual at an anatomical region to be studied;   b) determining, with the device at the anatomical region, a first measurement of at least one amino acid at a first time;   c) determining, with the device at the anatomical region, a second measurement of the at least one amino acid at a second time;   d) comparing the first measurement to the second measurement; and   e) determining, based on the comparison of the first measurement to the second measurement, a probability for one or more neurons to generate an action potential, wherein the generation of an action potential increases the probability of forming a new memory;
 thereby predicting the likelihood for memory impairment in the individual. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first time is a first moment or a first time interval and the second time is a second moment or a second time interval. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising establishing a baseline from one or more measurements of the at least one amino acid at the first time, wherein the baseline represents a memory map of the individual. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising normalizing the memory map based on the individual's age, gender, or other characteristic. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one amino acid is tyrosine or phenylalanine. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one amino acid is a chemically-derivatized amino acid relating to dopamine. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the chemically-derivatized amino acid is L-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) or dopamine. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising measuring cerebral blood pressure, cerebral blood flow, cerebrospinal fluid pressure, cerebrospinal fluid flow, intracranial pressure, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the region comprises a forehead of the individual. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the region comprises a frontal, parietal, occipital, limbic, or temporal lobe of the individual. 
     
     
         11 . A computer system to predict a likelihood for memory impairment in an individual, the system comprising:
 a measuring module configured to determine a first measurement of at least one amino acid at a first time, and configured to determine a second measurement of the at least one amino acid at a second time;   a comparison module configured to receive and compare the first measurement to the second measurement; and   a probability module coupled to the comparison module and configured to determine a probability for one or more neurons to generate an action potential, wherein the generation of an action potential increases the probability of forming a new memory; from the determined probability, the probability module forming a prediction of the likelihood for memory impairment in the individual.   
     
     
         12 . The computer system of  claim 11 , wherein the first time is a first moment or a first time interval and the second time is a second moment or a second time interval. 
     
     
         13 . The computer system of  claim 11 , further comprising a baseline module responsive to the measuring module and configured to establish a baseline from one or more measurements of the at least one amino acid at the first time, wherein the baseline represents a memory map of the individual. 
     
     
         14 . The computer system of  claim 13 , further comprising a normalization module configured to normalize the memory map based on the individual's age, sex, or other characteristic. 
     
     
         15 . The computer system of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one amino acid is tyrosine or phenylalanine. 
     
     
         16 . The computer system of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one amino acid is a chemically-derivatized amino acid relating to dopamine. 
     
     
         17 . The computer system of  claim 16 , wherein the chemically-derivatized amino acid is L-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) or dopamine. 
     
     
         18 . The computer system of  claim 11 , further comprising a second measuring module configured to measure cerebral blood pressure, cerebral blood flow, cerebrospinal fluid pressure, cerebrospinal fluid flow, intracranial pressure, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The computer system of  claim 11 , further comprising a device module configured to operatively couple one or more infrared spectroscopic devices to the measuring module. 
     
     
         20 . The computer system of  claim 19 , wherein the infrared spectroscopic device is a portable device.