A method to compare processing speed and oculomotor function using a modified SDMT.

Abstract

While a body of literature relating cognition and oculomotor performance exists, a better understanding of these processes would help facilitate the development of effective treatments for patients suffering various neurological disorders, such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Huntington's Disease, or a traumatic brain injury. To examine the relationship between the two, we sought to measure cognition and oculomotor functioning simultaneously, through a modification of a commonly used neuropsychological test, the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT). Measurement includes monitoring of eye movements in two dimensions with the aid of infrared tracking. This paper presents preliminary data and an overview of analytical methods to be performed in the future on patients with neurological disorders. Correlations between eye movements and the mSDMT were verified using signal characterization. Furthermore, saccadic velocity was shown to remain relatively constant in healthy controls.