DETECT
The signs and symptoms of concussions are often very subtle and difficult to detect. Accurate diagnosis is further confounded because many cases of concussions are overshadowed by other injuries or by the events surrounding the injury. Short questionnaires have been created to give coaches and trainers tools to quickly test memory and concentration, but distractions on the sideline, variation in testing methods, and lack of clinical validation make these tools non-reliable. The clinical gold standard for diagnosing concussions is neuropsychological testing. Such testing however, requires a quiet room void of distractions and the presence of trained personnel to administer, score, and interpret the results. In addition, these tests may require several hours to perform. In situations such as sideline assessment of concussion in sports, these requirements make standard neuropsychological testing impractical. The need for rapid, simple and convenient diagnostic testing for early detection of concussions is immense.

DETECT is a self-contained, easily portable system that provides a real-time assessment of concussion in environments that have traditionally been non-conducive for neuropsychological testing. The DETECT technology comprises both hardware and software. The hardware consists of a headset that immerses the athlete in an environment that attenuates ambient light and noise. The user interfaces with the test via a handheld input device (much like a video game controller). The software component of the DETECT system consists of abbreviated neuropsychological tests displayed through the headset and a database for recording and archiving test results. DETECT brings the clinically standard neuropsychological evaluation to the sideline as an additional tool in deciding whether or not it is safe to return to play.