JP2010017419A - Higher-order brain function measuring apparatus and its program - Google Patents

Abstract

A high-order brain function measurement can be performed with higher accuracy.
A primary image P1 to a primary image P3 are sequentially displayed for a subject, and a primary sound A1 to a primary sound are displayed during the display of each of the primary image P1 to the primary image P3. Each of A3 is reproduced. Thereafter, the secondary images Q1 to Q3 are sequentially displayed to the subject, and the secondary sounds B1 to B3 are displayed while the secondary images Q1 to Q3 are being displayed. Each is played. Then, the primary image P1 to the primary image P3 inputted by the subject and the answer as to whether or not the secondary image Q1 to the secondary image Q3 are the same image, and the primary speech A1 to the primary speech A3. Based on the answer to whether or not the secondary voices B1 to B3 are the same voice, the activity of the subject's higher brain is evaluated. The present invention can be applied to a higher brain function measuring device.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a higher brain function measuring apparatus and program.

  Among higher-order brain function measurements for human subjects, non-invasive, so-called test-form higher-order brain function measurements are easily devised and implemented. In particular, a test for the detection of dementia in the elderly, represented by the Hasegawa test, is widely known.

  Such high-order brain function measurements are often in the form of answering questions based on text sentences or hearings, and some of them include tasks that draw simple diagrams (such as five-cog tests), but actively use photographic images. Although there were few used, the method introduced in Patent Document 1 is a high-level brain function measurement test that is easy to understand and tackle for the elderly by actively using the memory of the subject position in the photographic image Is realized.

  In this method, after a photographic image (primary image) is presented, a gaze area is designated, and voice narration is further urged to encourage memorization of the subject in the gaze area. In the same manner, a plurality of gaze areas are designated for one photograph. After the time that the stored information about the presented photographic image enters the recent storage area of the brain has passed, the primary image and the background are the same, but the subject in the gaze area may be the same or different A certain photographic image (secondary image) is presented. Then, the difference between the primary image and the primary image is questioned by voice narration for each subject in the gaze area of the secondary image. When the subject is determined to be the same, the button is pressed. The degree of higher brain activity of the subject is determined based on the correctness of the judgment.

JP 2005-192637 A

  Considering that dementia is an example of high-level brain function attenuation that has progressed to a high level, the establishment of a technology that accurately and indexally evaluates higher-order brain function is the urgent task of Japanese society with the world's highest aging rate. It is clearer than looking at the fire.

  Here, the higher brain function is a very wide brain function. Therefore, in order to measure higher brain functions, the current level is to measure the activity level of a specific higher brain function and estimate the activity level of the higher brain function.

  The higher brain function measuring method described in Patent Document 1 takes into account the functional characteristic of the spatial cognitive function of the hippocampus, which is the main brain region responsible for recent memory, and allows multiple subjects in a single photo space to be captured. The higher brain function is measured by skillfully guiding the location of the brain so that the spatial memory can be evaluated.

  An object of the present invention is to accurately measure the activity level of core higher-order brain functions represented by recent memory and its memory capacity, as well as attention distribution and concentration.

  The high-order brain function measuring apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention sequentially presents a plurality of different primary images and sequentially reproduces primary sounds corresponding to the primary images together with the presentation of the primary images. A presentation reproduction means and secondary images that are the same or different from the primary image are sequentially presented corresponding to the primary images, respectively, and secondary images that are the same or different from the primary audio in accordance with the presentation of the secondary images. A second presentation reproduction means for sequentially reproducing audio corresponding to each of the primary audio; and presentation of the secondary image after a lapse of a predetermined time after completion of presentation of the primary image and reproduction of the primary audio. Time control means for controlling the time until the secondary sound is reproduced, the difference between the primary image and the secondary image corresponding to each of the primary images, and the primary sound and the 1 Next voice Input means for inputting the difference between the second audio corresponding to the Re respectively, characterized by comprising a result output means for outputting the results for higher brain functions from the input information by the input means.

  The program of the present invention presents a plurality of different primary images sequentially, and a first presentation reproduction step of sequentially reproducing primary sounds corresponding to each of the primary images together with the presentation of the primary images, The primary image is sequentially presented with the same or different secondary image corresponding to each of the primary images, and the same or different secondary speech is given to the primary speech along with the presentation of each of the secondary images. A second presentation reproduction step for sequentially reproducing each corresponding to the audio; and after the predetermined time has elapsed after the presentation of the primary image and the reproduction of the primary audio are completed, the presentation of the secondary image and the secondary audio A time control step for controlling the time until playback of the image, the difference between the primary image and the secondary image corresponding to each of the primary image, the primary sound and the primary Causing the computer to execute a process including an input step of inputting the difference between the secondary speech corresponding to each voice and a result output step of outputting a result relating to a higher brain function from the input information input in the input step It is characterized by that.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to accurately measure a higher brain function of a subject.

  Embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  First, brain function measurement performed by a higher brain function measuring apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described. In brain function measurement, a subject is asked a memory task related to images and sounds, and the activity of the subject's higher brain is evaluated.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of images P1 to P3 (hereinafter referred to as primary images) and sounds A1 to A3 (hereinafter referred to as primary sounds) related to these primary images. Are presented to the subject in turn. Then, after a predetermined time has elapsed after the presentation of the primary image and the primary sound, the plurality of images Q1 to Q3 (hereinafter referred to as secondary images) and the secondary images are related. The voices B1 to B3 (hereinafter referred to as secondary voice) are sequentially presented to the subject. In FIG. 1, the vertical direction indicates time.

  That is, in the brain function measurement, the primary image P1 is first displayed and the primary sound A1 is reproduced. Here, the primary image P1 is an image in which an old woman is selling rice cakes, and the primary audio A1 is a voice that explains the contents of the primary image P1 “the grandmother is selling rice cakes”. .

  Subsequently, the primary image P2 is displayed, the primary sound A2 is reproduced, the primary image P3 is further displayed, and the primary sound A3 is reproduced. In FIG. 1, the primary image P2 is an image in which smoke is emitted from the chimney, and the primary audio A2 is an audio “smoke is emitted from the chimney” explaining the content of the primary image P2. Further, the primary image P3 is an image in which water flows from the dam, and the primary audio A3 is an audio “water is flowing from the dam” explaining the content of the primary image P3.

  When a predetermined time elapses after the presentation of the primary image and the primary sound in this way, the secondary image that is the same as or different from the presented primary image, and the same or different sound as the primary sound. Presentation of a certain secondary voice is started.

  That is, the secondary image Q1 for the primary image P1 is displayed and the secondary sound B1 for the primary sound A1 is reproduced. Here, the secondary image Q1 is the same image as the primary image P1, and the secondary voice B1 is different from the primary voice A1 as “a grandmother is eating porridge”.

  When the secondary image Q1 and the secondary sound B1 are presented, the subject determines whether the primary image P1 and the secondary image Q1 are the same image, and the primary sound A1 and the secondary sound B1 are the same sound. Answer whether or not. That is, in brain function measurement, a question that asks whether or not the primary image and the secondary image match and a question that asks whether or not the primary speech and the secondary speech match are asked. Answer those questions.

  The question as to whether or not the primary voice and the secondary voice coincide with each other is a question of the words of the primary voice and the secondary voice.

  When the display of the secondary image Q1 is completed, the secondary image Q2 for the primary image P2 is subsequently displayed and the secondary sound B2 for the primary sound A2 is reproduced. The secondary image Q2 is an image in which smoke is emitted from the chimney, and is similar to the primary image P2, but the smoke portion is different from the primary image P2. The secondary voice B2 is the same voice as the primary voice A2 "Smoke is coming from the chimney". Even in this case, the subject answers whether or not the primary image P2 and the secondary image Q2 are the same image and whether or not the primary sound A2 and the secondary sound B2 are the same sound.

  Further, after that, the secondary image Q3 for the primary image P3 is displayed and the secondary sound B3 for the primary sound A3 is reproduced, and whether the subject has the same image as the primary image P3 and the secondary image Q3. An answer is made as to whether or not the primary voice A3 and the secondary voice B3 are the same voice. In the example of FIG. 1, the secondary image Q3 and the secondary sound B3 are the same image and sound as the primary image P3 and the primary sound A3, respectively.

  In this way, when answers from the subject are obtained from the test subject regarding the match / mismatch of the primary image and the secondary image and the match / mismatch of the primary sound and the secondary sound, the correctness of the obtained answer is determined. Based on this, the degree of memory by the subject's higher brain is presented to the subject.

  More specifically, a combination of the primary image and the primary sound presented at the same time, and the secondary image and the secondary sound corresponding to the primary image and the primary sound is referred to as one memory task set. For example, 60 memory task sets are prepared in one brain function measurement. These 60 memory task sets are presented to the subject as follows. Hereinafter, the primary image and the primary sound included in the storage task set are also referred to as a primary storage task, and the secondary image and the secondary sound included in the storage task set are also referred to as a secondary storage task.

  First, the primary image of one primary storage task is displayed for 8 seconds, and the corresponding primary sound is also reproduced while the primary image is displayed. For example, the primary image is projected and displayed by a projector on a 1.5 m long and 2 m wide screen, and the subject views the primary image displayed from a position 3 m to 8 m away from the screen.

  In the presentation of the memory task, a task of combination of image presentation and sound is presented. The presentation of the primary storage task is presented for 8 seconds for one task consisting of an image and sound, and then switches to the next task. This task is provided with an interval for every 10 tasks presented. In this interval, for example, a countdown number from 10 to 1 is displayed. This presentation is repeated 6 times, and a total of 60 sets are presented.

  Then, when all 60 sets of primary storage tasks are presented sequentially, the secondary storage tasks are presented in the same manner as described above after 30 minutes.

  Here, the presentation time of the secondary memory task is longer by 2 seconds than the presentation time of the primary memory task, which indicates whether the subject matches the primary memory task and the secondary memory task. This is because the time to answer the question is taken into consideration. Thus, the subject can make an answer without panic by making the presentation time of the secondary memory task at least one second longer than the presentation time of the primary memory task.

  Hereinafter, the question of whether the images (primary image and secondary image) for the subject match will be referred to as an image task, and the question of whether the sounds (primary sound and secondary sound) will match. Is also referred to as a voice task.

  When the subject's answer is obtained for these 60 memory task sets, one point is scored for one correct answer of an image task, and one point is scored for one correct answer of one voice task. A score for the subject's memory task is obtained with a maximum score of 120 points.

  The score obtained in this way has an average value and variance according to the age of the subject statistically tabulated, and the relative brain age of the subject can be estimated by this score. In addition, by performing brain function measurement for a specific subject at regular time intervals, it can be expected to predict acceleration of attenuation of higher brain function from the background of the score.

  In the specific example described above, it has been described that 60 storage task sets are prepared. More specifically, for example, a storage task set of a combination of the following images and sounds is prepared. That is, as 60 memory task sets, 12 sets of memory task sets in which images are matched and voices are matched, 18 sets of memory task sets in which images are matched and voices are not matched, and images are matched. In addition, 12 sets of storage task sets in which voices match and 18 sets of storage task sets in which images and sounds do not match are prepared.

  Here, the reason why the number of storage task sets in which the voices do not match is larger is that the correct answer rate of a voice task in which the sounds do not match generally tends to be lower than the correct answer rate of other tasks. . In other words, it is possible to obtain a certain distribution of the scores of the subjects by asking many more difficult tasks.

  If the length of time from when the display of the primary image (secondary image) is started until the next primary image (secondary image) is displayed is referred to as task presentation time, task presentation The time is preferably between 3 and 20 seconds.

  In brain function measurement, since a plurality of primary images (or secondary images) are presented, a certain amount of time is required for presenting the task. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the subject's image from being overlooked by setting the task presentation time to a minimum of 3 seconds, and by setting the task presentation time to within 20 seconds, the task presentation time becomes unnecessarily long. Can be prevented.

  Moreover, although the example in which the memory task set is 60 sets has been described, the number of memory task sets is not necessarily 60 sets. However, in brain function measurement, since it is necessary to score an answer to a memory task (image task and voice task), it is necessary to present a plurality of memory tasks. In particular, when the number of memory task sets is 20 sets or more and 120 sets or less, the degree of memory can be sufficiently evaluated from the final test subject score.

  Furthermore, if the length of time from the end of the presentation of the primary memory task to the start of the presentation of the secondary memory task is called a memory fixing interval, in the example described above, the memory fixing interval is Although described as 30 minutes, it may not be 30 minutes in particular. That is, this memory fixing interval is provided because a certain amount of time is required until the memory of the subject's primary memory task is fixed as the recent memory.

  Next, the configuration of a higher-order brain function measuring apparatus that executes the brain function measurement described above will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a higher brain function measuring apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

  The higher brain function measuring apparatus 11 includes a recording unit 21, an operation unit 22, a control unit 23, a display control unit 24, a display unit 25, a reproduction control unit 26, and an audio output unit 27.

  The recording unit 21 records various data and information such as a storage task set used for brain function measurement, a guidance image, and subject information that is information about the subject.

  Here, the subject information includes information related to the subject such as the age of the subject, personal ID (Identification) for specifying the subject, measurement result information indicating the brain function measurement result of the subject, and the like. Further, the measurement result information includes information related to the one-time brain function measurement performed, and the subject information includes the same number of measurement result information as the number of times the subject has received the brain function measurement. Yes. For example, the measurement result information includes the date and time of brain function measurement, the memory task set used for brain function measurement, the subject's answer, the subject's score, the higher brain activity obtained from the score, and the memory fixation interval It contains information indicating the time and so on.

  The operation unit 22 includes, for example, a mouse, a keyboard, buttons, and the like, and is operated by a user (such as a subject). The operation unit 22 supplies an operation signal corresponding to a user operation to the control unit 23.

  The control unit 23 controls the overall operation of the higher brain function measuring apparatus 11. For example, the control unit 23 instructs the display control unit 24 to display an image in response to an operation signal from the operation unit 22, and instructs the reproduction control unit 26 to reproduce sound. The control unit 23 includes an acquisition unit 41, a time measurement unit 42, a totalization processing unit 43, and an activity calculation unit 44.

  The acquisition unit 41 receives a user input, for example, an input of a test subject's answer, and acquires information corresponding to the user operation from the operation unit 22, that is, an operation signal. The timer 42 measures the presentation time of the primary storage task and the secondary storage task. The tabulation processing unit 43 performs tabulation processing and obtains the score of the subject from the answers to the subject's image task and voice task. The activity calculation unit 44 calculates the activity based on the score of the subject.

  The display control unit 24 causes the display unit 25 to display the image acquired from the recording unit 21 in response to an instruction from the control unit 23. The display unit 25 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display or a projector, and displays an image supplied from the display control unit 24.

  For example, when the display unit 25 is composed of a display device such as a liquid crystal display, the display unit 25 has an angle between the display surface of the display unit 25 on which an image is displayed and the line of sight of the subject within a range of 10 degrees to 90 degrees. It is installed so that it may become the angle. As a result, a viewing environment is obtained in which the entire image displayed by the subject can be viewed without difficulty.

  When brain function measurement of a subject is performed in the presence of the examiner, for example, a display for the examiner and a display for the subject may be provided as the display unit 25.

  The reproduction control unit 26 causes the audio output unit 27 to output the audio acquired from the recording unit 21 in response to an instruction from the control unit 23. The audio output unit 27 includes, for example, a speaker and reproduces the audio supplied from the reproduction control unit 26.

  By the way, when the higher brain function measuring device 11 is operated by the subject or the like and the measurement of the brain function of the subject is instructed, the higher brain function measuring device 11 performs the brain function measurement of the subject according to the instruction. Start the function measurement process.

  Hereinafter, the flow of the brain function measurement process performed by the higher brain function measuring apparatus 11 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S11, the higher brain function measuring apparatus 11 presents brain function measurement guidance to the subject. For example, the recording unit 21 records an image (image data) and sound (sound data) for explaining the contents of brain function measurement and the flow of the test to be performed. The control unit 23 instructs the display control unit 24 and the reproduction control unit 26 to present guidance images and sounds. Then, in response to an instruction from the control unit 23, the display control unit 24 acquires a guidance image from the recording unit 21, supplies the guidance image to the display unit 25, and displays the image. Further, the playback control unit 26 acquires guidance voice from the recording unit 21 in response to an instruction from the control unit 23, supplies the guidance voice to the voice output unit 27, and plays back the voice.

  By reproducing images and audio in this way and providing guidance to the subject, the subject can be made to accurately grasp the evaluation method and implementation procedure of the brain function measurement, and the brain function measurement can be performed correctly. It becomes like this.

  When guidance is provided and the contents and flow of brain function measurement are explained, the subject operates the operation unit 22 to input a personal ID for identifying himself / herself. Here, the personal ID is, for example, a predetermined number consisting of the date of birth of the subject, an arbitrary code, and the like.

  In step S <b> 12, the acquisition unit 41 acquires the personal ID input by the subject from the operation unit 22. Moreover, the totalization process part 43 produces | generates the test subject's new measurement result information specified by the acquired personal ID containing the present date and time (implementation date and time), supplies it to the recording part 21, and records it. The recording unit 21 measures the measurement result information so that the measurement result information supplied from the totalization processing unit 43 is included in the subject information specified by the personal ID specified by the totalization processing unit 43 (including the personal ID). Record information. Note that the measurement result information does not include information indicating a memory task or a subject's score at the present time, and is updated as necessary to include such information.

  In step S13, the control unit 23 performs a setting process. That is, the control unit 23 selects the image (image data) used as the primary image and the secondary image this time and the audio used as the primary sound and the secondary sound from the images and sounds recorded in the recording unit 21. Select (Audio data). Further, the control unit 23 refers to the subject information specified by the acquired personal ID recorded in the recording unit 21, and the last day when the subject specified by the personal ID took the brain function measurement ( The storage fixing interval is determined based on the execution date and time and the score at the time of execution.

  For example, if the previous implementation date and time of brain function measurement is several tens of minutes before the current date and time, the memory task (image memory task or voice memory task) presented this time includes the memory task that was presented last time The memory task may remain in the subject's memory. For this reason, when the time from the previous execution date and time to the current execution date and time is shorter than the predetermined time, the storage and fixing interval is set to a time longer than the normally set time. On the other hand, when the previous implementation date is several months ago, the storage fixing interval is set to a normally set time, for example, 30 minutes.

  In this way, by setting the time of the memory fixation interval based on the previous execution date and time and the previous score, it is possible to stabilize the evaluation result of the higher brain activity of the subject regardless of the interval of the brain function measurement. Can be improved.

  Further, when the storage task set to be presented this time and the time of the storage fixing interval are determined, the aggregation processing unit 43 updates the measurement result information for the current brain function measurement recorded in the recording unit 21. That is, the measurement result information is updated so that information indicating the determined storage task set and information indicating the storage fixing interval time are included.

  In step S14, the display unit 25 displays the primary image. That is, the control unit 23 designates a primary image to be displayed and instructs the display control unit 24 to display the primary image. Then, in response to an instruction from the control unit 23, the display control unit 24 acquires the designated primary image from the recording unit 21, supplies the designated primary image to the display unit 25, and causes the display unit 25 to display the primary image.

  In step S15, the audio output unit 27 outputs primary audio. That is, the control unit 23 designates the primary sound to be reproduced, and instructs the reproduction control unit 26 to reproduce the primary sound. Then, in response to an instruction from the control unit 23, the reproduction control unit 26 acquires the designated primary sound from the recording unit 21, supplies it to the sound output unit 27, and reproduces the primary sound on the sound output unit 27. Let

  As a result, the primary image is displayed to the subject, and the primary sound corresponding to the displayed primary image is reproduced while the primary image is being displayed.

  In step S16, the control unit 23 determines whether or not to end the presentation of the primary storage task. For example, when the presentation of all the primary images and the primary audio selected as the primary storage task is finished, it is determined that the presentation of the primary storage task is finished.

  If it is determined in step S16 that the presentation of the primary storage task is not terminated, the process returns to step S14, and the next primary image and primary audio are presented. For example, after one primary image is displayed for 8 seconds, the next primary image is displayed for 8 seconds. In this case, the timer 42 measures the display time of the primary image, and the controller 23 instructs the display controller 24 to control the display of the primary image based on the time measured by the timer 42. .

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S16 that the presentation of the primary memory task is to be terminated, in step S17, the higher-order brain function measuring device 11 makes an announcement to start presenting the secondary memory task.

  That is, when the presentation of the primary storage task ends, the timing unit 42 counts time until the presentation start time of the secondary storage task is reached. In addition, an image and a sound for notifying the subject of the start of the presentation of the secondary storage task are recorded in the recording unit 21 in advance.

  The control unit 23 then announces to the display control unit 24 and the reproduction control unit 26, for example, three minutes before the start of presentation of the secondary storage task based on the time counted by the time counting unit 42. Instruct the presentation of images and audio.

  Then, in response to an instruction from the control unit 23, the display control unit 24 acquires the designated announcement image from the recording unit 21, supplies it to the display unit 25, and causes the display unit 25 to display the image. Further, the playback control unit 26 acquires the designated announcement sound from the recording unit 21 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 23, supplies the sound to the audio output unit 27, and causes the audio output unit 27 to reproduce the audio. . As a result, an image notifying the subject that it is three minutes before the start of presentation of the secondary memory task is displayed, and a sound to that effect is output.

  Further, based on the time counted by the time counting unit 42, the control unit 23 notifies the display control unit 24 and the reproduction control unit 26 for announcements, for example, 30 seconds before the start of presentation of the secondary storage task. Instruct the presentation of images and audio. Then, the display control unit 24 and the reproduction control unit 26 acquire the designated announcement image and sound from the recording unit 21 and reproduce them on the display unit 25 and the sound output unit 27 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 23. Let As a result, an image notifying the subject that it is 30 seconds before the start of the presentation of the secondary memory task is displayed, and a sound to that effect is output.

  In this way, when the presentation start time of the secondary memory task is near, an announcement to that effect is made to the subject, and an announcement is made to the subject again immediately before the start time. It can be prevented that the presentation is started and the subject is frustrated. Note that the first announcement may be made immediately after the presentation of the primary memory task is completed, and the subject may be notified how many minutes later the presentation of the secondary memory task is started.

  Further, the acquisition unit 41 does not accept an operation by the subject during the storage fixing interval. Thereby, even if an unnecessary operation is performed by the subject, the brain function measurement is not performed correctly.

  When the presentation start of the secondary storage task is announced and the presentation start time of the secondary storage task is reached, the display unit 25 displays the secondary image in step S18. That is, the control unit 23 designates a secondary image to be displayed while referring to the time counted by the time counting unit 42 and instructs the display control unit 24 to display the secondary image. In response to an instruction from the control unit 23, the display control unit 24 acquires the designated secondary image from the recording unit 21 and supplies it to the display unit 25. For example, the display control unit 24 stores the secondary image on the display unit 25 for 10 seconds. Display an image.

  In step S19, the audio output unit 27 outputs secondary audio. That is, the control unit 23 designates secondary sound to be reproduced and instructs the reproduction control unit 26 to reproduce the secondary sound. In response to an instruction from the control unit 23, the reproduction control unit 26 acquires the designated secondary sound from the recording unit 21, supplies it to the sound output unit 27, and causes the sound output unit 27 to reproduce the secondary sound.

  When the secondary image is displayed on the display unit 25 and the secondary audio is output from the audio output unit 27, the subject operates the operation unit 22 to obtain the primary image and the secondary image based on his / her memory. An answer is given as to whether they match, and whether the primary voice and the secondary voice match.

  In step S <b> 20, the acquisition unit 41 receives input of an answer to the subject's image task and voice task, and acquires an operation signal from the operation unit 22, thereby acquiring an answer to the subject's image task and an answer to the voice task. .

  In step S21, the control unit 23 determines whether or not to end the presentation of the secondary storage task. For example, when the presentation of all the secondary images and secondary sounds selected as the secondary storage task ends, it is determined that the presentation of the secondary storage task ends.

  If it is determined in step S21 that the presentation of the secondary storage task is not terminated, the process returns to step S18, and the next secondary image and secondary sound are presented. For example, after one secondary image is displayed for 10 seconds, the next secondary image is displayed for 10 seconds. Even in this case, the control unit 23 instructs the display control unit 24 to control the display of the secondary image while referring to the time measured by the time measuring unit 42.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S21 that the presentation of the secondary storage task is to be terminated, the aggregation processing unit 43 performs aggregation processing in step S22.

  That is, the totalization processing unit 43 is based on the answer to each image task and the voice task of the subject acquired by the acquisition unit 41 and the measurement result information for the current brain function measurement recorded in the recording unit 21. The subject's score is calculated.

  For example, when the primary image and the secondary image of the focused image task indicated by the current measurement result information are the same image and the answer of the subject is “match”, the totalization processing unit 43 focuses on the focus. Assuming that the subject correctly answers the image task being performed, one point is added to the score of the subject. In this way, the totalization processing unit 43 determines whether or not the test subject's answer is correct for each image task and audio task, and obtains the final test subject score.

  In step S <b> 23, the activity calculation unit 44 calculates the activity of the higher brain of the subject based on the score of the subject obtained by the aggregation processing unit 43. For example, the activity calculation unit 44 compares the obtained score with the age of the subject indicated by the subject information, and obtains the activity of the higher brain of the subject from the relationship between the predetermined score and age. .

  In addition, the activity calculation unit 44 refers to the measurement result information included in the subject information specified by the input personal ID, emphasizes the transition of scores for a certain period, The degree of activity may be obtained by comparing the score of the test subject several times. In this case, for example, the higher brain activity is evaluated so that any change in brain function is suspected when the current score is rapidly reduced as compared to the previous several scores.

  When the degree of activity is obtained in this way, the totalization processing unit 43 obtains the information indicating the answer of the subject, the information indicating the score, and the information indicating the degree of activity as measurement result information for the current brain function measurement of the subject. The measurement result information in the recording unit 21 is updated so as to be included in the final measurement result information. Thus, for each subject, by recording measurement result information including the implementation date, score, activity, etc. for each performed brain function measurement, the transition of the activity of each subject can be known. become. As a result, the activity of the subject can be evaluated with higher accuracy.

  In step S24, the higher brain function measuring device 11 presents the obtained higher brain activity of the subject, and the brain function measuring process ends.

  That is, the control unit 23 instructs the display control unit 24 to display the higher brain activity, and the display control unit 24 supplies an image corresponding to the instruction from the control unit 23 to the display unit 25. The activity of the subject's higher brain is displayed. In addition, the control unit 23 instructs the reproduction control unit 26 to reproduce the voice for notifying the activity level of the subject as necessary, and the reproduction control unit 26 outputs the voice corresponding to the instruction from the control unit 23 to the voice output unit 27. To output.

  In addition, when the activity of the higher brain is presented to the subject, the activity of the higher brain is not notified to the subject as to whether or not the subject has correctly answered each image task and voice task. The presentation of is controlled. In this way, by controlling the presentation of the degree of activity so that the subject does not specify the correct answer or the incorrect answer to the task, it is possible to avoid that the subject is strongly impressed with the specific image task and voice task. Therefore, in the next implementation of the brain function measurement, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the measurement accuracy of the brain function measurement due to the same image task or sound task as this time. That is, the same image task or sound task can be reused.

  As described above, the higher-order brain function measuring apparatus 11 presents the primary image and the primary sound in the Fujita method, and then presents the secondary image and the secondary sound, and responds to the image task by the subject. The activity of the higher brain is obtained based on the score obtained from the answer and the answer to the voice task.

  In this way, by presenting images and sounds and presenting visual tasks related to vision and auditory tasks related to hearing, it is possible to improve the range of difficulty setting of the memory task and the variety of tasks. . Accordingly, it is possible to set a memory task that can obtain a more appropriate score distribution. As a result, it is possible to obtain an execution condition and a trial environment effective for brain function measurement, and to perform brain function measurement with higher accuracy.

  In other words, in the Fujita method, not only image tasks but also voice tasks can be used to diversify the tasks compared to the conventional image tasks alone, and the score distribution of subjects is constant. Dispersion is obtained. As a result, it is possible to easily obtain a score difference by age or individual.

  For example, in the case of a question with only an image task, the answer by the subject is two in total, image matching and mismatching. However, when an image task and a voice task are presented, the image matching and mismatching, The combination of coincidence and disagreement gives a total of 4 answers for the test subject.

  In general, people often view images, particularly still images, for enjoyment. Therefore, by performing brain function measurement with an image task, the subject's attention can be attracted and the subject can be motivated to measure brain function, and the activation of the subject's brain can be measured.

  Furthermore, in the brain function measurement by the higher brain function measuring device 11, since the subject views the image and listens to the sound with the attention increased, the information obtained from the image and the sound tends to remain in the subject's memory. Therefore, according to the higher brain function measuring apparatus 11, it can be expected that the memory is regressed by the image task and the sound task depending on the way of selecting the image and the sound.

  When brain function measurement is performed, the presentation time of the primary image and the secondary image, the task presentation time, and the like may be changed as appropriate according to the past score of the subject and the implementation date and time.

  In the above description, it has been described that the test subject directly inputs the answer to the image task and the voice task by operating the operation unit 22. However, the test subject may fill in the answer sheet of paper with a writing instrument.

  In such a case, for example, the subject puts in each column of the answer sheet a symbol “◯” indicating a match between images or sounds, a symbol “X” indicating a mismatch, and a symbol “—” indicating that the judgment cannot be made. Or blank). In this way, by inputting the answer on the paper answer sheet, entry of the answer of the subject becomes easy. In this case, for example, when an inspector or the like operates the operation unit 22, the answer written in the answer sheet is input, and thereafter, the control unit 23 performs an aggregation process of the answer.

  Further, the primary image and the secondary image may be a still image made of digital information or a moving image. By using an image composed of digital information, an image can be easily displayed by a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), a liquid crystal display, or a projector as the display unit 25 when the image is presented.

  The series of processes described above can be executed by hardware or can be executed by software. When a series of processing is executed by software, a program constituting the software may execute various functions by installing a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware or various programs. For example, it is installed from a program recording medium in a general-purpose personal computer or the like.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a computer that executes the above-described series of processes using a program.

  In a computer, a central processing unit (CPU) 201, a read only memory (ROM) 202, and a random access memory (RAM) 203 are connected to each other by a bus 204.

  An input / output interface 205 is further connected to the bus 204. The input / output interface 205 includes an input unit 206 including a keyboard, a mouse, and a microphone, an output unit 207 including a display and a speaker, a recording unit 208 including a hard disk and nonvolatile memory, and a communication unit 209 including a network interface. A drive 210 for driving a removable medium 211 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory is connected.

  In the computer configured as described above, the CPU 201 loads, for example, the program recorded in the recording unit 208 to the RAM 203 via the input / output interface 205 and the bus 204, and executes the program. Is performed.

  The program executed by the computer (CPU 201) is, for example, a magnetic disk (including a flexible disk), an optical disk (CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), etc.), a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor. The program is recorded on a removable medium 211 that is a package medium composed of a memory or the like, or provided via a wired or wireless transmission medium such as a local area network, the Internet, or digital satellite broadcasting.

  The program can be installed in the recording unit 208 via the input / output interface 205 by attaching the removable medium 211 to the drive 210. Further, the program can be received by the communication unit 209 via a wired or wireless transmission medium and installed in the recording unit 208. In addition, the program can be installed in the ROM 202 or the recording unit 208 in advance.

  The program executed by the computer may be a program that is processed in time series in the order described in this specification, or in parallel or at a necessary timing such as when a call is made. It may be a program for processing.

  The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

It is a figure for demonstrating the outline | summary of a brain function measurement process. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the higher brain function measuring device to which this invention is applied. It is a flowchart explaining a brain function measurement process. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of a computer.

Explanation of symbols

  11 high-order brain function measuring device, 21 recording unit, 22 operation unit, 23 control unit, 24 display control unit, 25 display unit, 26 playback control unit, 27 audio output unit, 41 acquisition unit, 43 totalization processing unit, 44 activity Degree calculation part

Claims (5)

First presentation reproduction means for sequentially presenting a plurality of different primary images and reproducing primary sounds corresponding to the respective primary images in combination with the presentation of the primary images;
The primary image is sequentially presented with the same or different secondary image corresponding to each of the primary images, and the same or different secondary speech is given to the primary speech along with the presentation of each of the secondary images. Second presentation reproduction means for sequentially reproducing each corresponding to the sound;
A time control means for controlling a time until the secondary image is presented and the secondary sound is reproduced after a predetermined time has elapsed after the presentation of the primary image and the reproduction of the primary sound is completed;
Input means for inputting the difference between the primary image and the secondary image corresponding to each of the primary images and the difference between the primary sound and the secondary sound corresponding to each of the primary sounds;
A higher-order brain function measuring apparatus comprising: a result output unit that outputs a result related to higher-order brain function from input information by the input unit. The higher-order brain function measuring device according to claim 1, further comprising: an activity evaluation unit that evaluates and outputs an activity of a higher brain based on a result output by the result output unit. The higher-order brain function measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the primary speech and the secondary speech are more different than the same. The higher-order brain function measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the time control means changes the length of time to be controlled according to the output of the result output means. A first presentation reproduction step of sequentially presenting a plurality of different primary images and sequentially reproducing primary audio corresponding to each of the primary images together with the presentation of the primary images;
The primary image is sequentially presented with the same or different secondary image corresponding to each of the primary images, and the same or different secondary speech is given to the primary speech along with the presentation of each of the secondary images. A second presentation playback step for sequentially playing back each corresponding to the voice;
A time control step for controlling the time until the secondary image is presented and the secondary sound is reproduced after a predetermined time has elapsed after the presentation of the primary image and the reproduction of the primary sound is completed;
An input step of inputting the difference between the primary image and the secondary image corresponding to each of the primary images and the difference between the primary sound and the secondary sound corresponding to each of the primary sounds;
A program causing a computer to execute a process including: a result output step of outputting a result relating to a higher brain function from the input information input in the input step.

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