SBIR/STTR Award attributes
The purpose of this proposal is to develop an automated Auditory Brainstem ResponseABRbased neurological screening device and software module that will enhance the early detection of autism and other neurological conditionsAutism Spectrum DisordersASDhave an incidence rate ofBased onmillion births in the United States innew cases of ASD will be diagnosed from that birth cohort aloneThe practice of early screening and identification of ASD is encouraged by the nationandapos s Healthy Peopleobjectives and the American Academy of PediatricsRecent publications have indicated ABR peak latency anomalies associated with ASDIn the United Statesapproximatelymillion babies per year are currently screened for hearing impairment with ABR technologyone million with Intelligent Hearing SystemsIHSequipment aloneCurrent screening protocols use moderate auditory stimulation levelsdB nHLto focus on hearing sensitivityA pilot study conducted by the investigators of this proposal showed a significant latency prolongation of ABR peak V in the left ear ofnewborns diagnosed with ASD when tested at birth during routine hearing screeningThe proposed system will add a high stimulation rate supra threshold testing level necessary for neurological evaluationand will introduce only one additional minute to the hearing screening processThis additional measure would provide important information regarding a newbornandapos s neurological status at almost no additional cost by capitalizing on current ABR hearing screening protocols and equipmentA special response analysis techniqueContinuous Loop Averaging DeconvolutionCLADand an automated peak identification algorithm will be implemented in the proposed deviceDuring Phase Ithe feasibility of the proposed technology will be evaluated by comparing ABR recordings fromASD children andage matched control childrenIn Phase IIa more comprehensive study will be conducted to optimize the proposed device and obtain normative data at high stimulation rates from a broad range of infants and children The implementation of the proposed neurological screening system and module with emphasis on ASD will greatly impact public healthat a minimum cost when performed as part of current ABR based hearing screening protocolsby providing early identification of infants at riskEarly intervention provides a significant opportunity to improve the outcomes of these individuals
