title: Eye-Tracking Control to Assess Cognitive Functions in Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.
abstract: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder with pathological involvement of upper and lower motoneurons, subsequently leading to progressive loss of motor and speech abilities. In addition, cognitive functions are impaired in a subset of patients. To evaluate these potential deficits in severely physically impaired ALS patients, eye-tracking is a promising means to conduct cognitive tests. The present article focuses on how eye movements, an indirect means of communication for physically disabled patients, can be utilized to allow for detailed neuropsychological assessment. The requirements, in terms of oculomotor parameters that have to be met for sufficient eye-tracking in ALS patients are presented. The properties of stimuli, including type of neuropsychological tests and style of presentation, best suited to successfully assess cognitive functioning, are also described. Furthermore, recommendations regarding procedural requirements are provided. Overall, this methodology provides a reliable, easy to administer and fast approach for assessing cognitive deficits in patients who are unable to speak or write such as patients with severe ALS. The only confounding factor might be deficits in voluntary eye movement control in a subset of ALS patients.
authors: Department of Neurology, Ulm University.
authors: Jürgen
authors: J
authors: Keller
authors: Department of Neurology, Ulm University.
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Gorges
authors: Department of Neurology, Ulm University.
authors: Helena E A
authors: HE
authors: Aho-Özhan
authors: Department of Neurology, Ulm University.
authors: Ingo
authors: I
authors: Uttner
authors: Institute of Medical Technology, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg.
authors: Erich
authors: E
authors: Schneider
authors: Department of Neurology, Ulm University.
authors: Jan
authors: J
authors: Kassubek
authors: Department of Neurology, Ulm University.
authors: Elmar H
authors: EH
authors: Pinkhardt
authors: Department of Neurology, Ulm University.
authors: Albert C
authors: AC
authors: Ludolph
authors: Department of Neurology, Ulm University; dorothee.lule@uni-ulm.de.
authors: Dorothée
authors: D
authors: Lulé
mesh_terms: D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000150:complications*; D003071:Cognition; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D005133:Eye Movements; D006801:Humans; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests