US20230320647A1 — Cognitive health assessment for core cognitive functions

Assignee: McMaster University · Inventors: John Francis Connolly, Kyle Ingram Ruiter, Rober Boshra Filed: 2019-07-16 (US16/513,469; PCT/CA2019/050982) · Published: 2023-10-12 · Status: Active (US); WO ceased; continuation US19/248,349 pending (filed 2025-06-24)

Abstract

An improved system for assessing cognitive function that uses tracked electrical activity of the brain (EEG) in response to a specific sequence of stimuli. Data sets include tracked response types at different times and amplitudes, including event-related potential (ERP) signal components. Brainwave features are tracked in relation to both pre-attentive brain responses and consciously controlled attention responses.

Key technical features

• Brain recording: YES — EEG with electrodes on the head; ERP extraction (P300, MMN, CVMT)
• Species: Human (patient) — 306 mentions of “patient”; 13 “human”; 0 animal/rodent/primate
• Stimuli: Intermixed/repeated sensory stimuli (auditory tones, vibrations, olfactory, visual)
• ERP components: P300 (attention/concentration), MMN (auditory mismatch negativity), CVMT (working memory)
• Classification: A61B5/369 (EEG), A61B5/377 (EEG evoked responses), A61B5/16 (psychotechnics), A61B5/165 (depression/anxiety), G06N20/00 (machine learning)
• Machine learning: Neural network classifier for cognitive health assessment

Claims (selected)

• Claim 20: System with sensor apparatus (EEG electrodes), sensory output devices, stimulus presentation mechanism, waveform feature extractor (ERP extraction), and processor comparing ERP data to neurophysiological assessment.
• Claim 21: ERP data includes P300 responses.
• Claim 22: P300 + auditory MMN for attention/concentration.
• Claim 23: Auditory MMN for information processing.
• Claim 24: P300 + CVMT for working memory.
• Claim 25: Stimuli include auditory tones, vibrations, olfactory, or visual stimuli.

Significance

This is an EEG-based cognitive assessment system — it combines behavioural stimuli with brain recording (ERP/P300/MMN) for cognitive health assessment. The McMaster/Connolly group is known for passive-attention ERP paradigms (MMN) that probe pre-attentive sensory processing without requiring active behavioural responses, making them applicable to non-communicative patients.