Multi-Modal Neurodiagnostic Tool for Exploration Missions

NASA has a critical requirement for a neurodiagnostic tool that can be used to monitor the behavioral health of the crew during long duration exploration missions. The device should unobtrusively monitor and classify neurophysiological markers associated with decrements in behavioral state and cognition. The neurodiagnostic monitor should be lightweight and compact and should require minimal time or effort for the crew to use. The device should be unobtrusive enough to allow mission operations to be performed during monitoring. In Phase 1 of the program, we were able to successfully monitor cortical activity using multi-parameter sensor modules. In addition to electroencephalography (EEG) and functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) signals that provided the electrophysiological and cortical oxygenation information, we were able to obtain photoplethysmography (PPG) and electrooculography (EOG) signals to compute the heart rate and frequency of eye movement. In Phase 1 we also demonstrated the functionality of an algorithm that automatically classifies the varying degrees of cognitive loading based on the measured physiological parameters. In the proposed Phase 2 program, we will develop a flight-capable neurodiagnostic device that can be unobtrusively worn on the head. Based on the neuro and non-neurophysiological parameters obtained from the multi-modality sensors, we will detect and classify neurophysiological markers associated with decrements in behavioral state and cognition. We will develop an automated algorithm that can recognize and identify key decrements in behavioral state.

Crewmembers on long duration missions must remain productive in confined and crowded environments in which workloads are heavy, sleep is difficult, and where there is isolation from family and friends. Developing methods that allow crewmembers to deal with stress and other psychological challenges of long voyages will be critical to successful missions. The proposed neurodiagnostic device can be used to monitor and classify neurophysiological markers associated with decrements in behavioral state of the crew during exploration missions. The proposed device will be unobtrusive enough to allow mission operations to be performed during monitoring. The neurodiagnostic tool will allow autonomous operation, allowing crewmembers to operate the device without direction from the ground. The device will provide meaningful and actionable feedback to the crew. The system will also allow the ground-based medical staff to monitor the crew's behavioral health status during exploration missions.

In addition to monitoring the behavioral health of the crew during space missions, the proposed device can be used to diagnose and treat various neurologic diseases and psychiatric illnesses. The multi-modal neurodiagnostic monitor can be produced at costs that are only about 50% higher than existing EEG but can provide significantly more meaningful diagnostic information. Some of the clinical applications for the device include: sleep monitoring, head injury and post-surgery evaluations, diagnosis of tumors and brain abscesses, diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, long-term epilepsy monitoring and psychiatric illness evaluations. In addition, the device, for the first time, allows ambulatory, multi-modality functional imaging of cortical activity. The system can be designed as ambulatory units for use in both clinical and non-clinical settings.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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