Non-invasive systems and methods to detect cortical spreading depression for the detection and assessment of brain injury and concussion

Abstract

The present invention provides systems and methods for detection and diagnosis of concussion and/or acute neurologic injury comprising a portable headwear-based electrode array and computerized control system to automatically and accurately detect cortical spreading depression and acute neurological injury-based peri-infarct depolarization (CSD/PID). The portable headwear-based electrode system is applied to a patient or athlete, and is capable of performing an assessment automatically and with minimal user input. The user display indicates the presence of CSD/PID, gauges its severity and location, and stores the information for future use by medical professionals. The systems and methods of the invention use an instrumented DC-coupled electrode/amplifier array which performs real-time data analysis using unique algorithms to produce a voltage intensity-map revealing the temporally propagating wave depressed voltage across the scalp that originates from a CSD/PID on the brain surface.