Portable eye-tracking in neurology: current uses and future perspectives in cognition

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Cognitive Science
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Eye tracking provides objective data on ocular motor function and cognition.
• Neurological conditions impact cognitive processes detectable through eye movements.
• Portable devices enhance accessibility for clinical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the applications and reliability of portable eye-tracking devices in clinical neurology.
• To evaluate the potential of these devices for diagnosing and monitoring cognitive disorders.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review following PRISMA guidelines.
• Inclusion of observational studies on portable eye-tracking in neurological patients.
• Assessment of study quality using the CASP checklist.

Main Results:

• Significant advancements in portable eye-tracker accessibility, sampling rates, and accuracy were identified.
• Devices like Neurolign DX 100 and Tobii demonstrated precision and clinical applicability.
• Eye movement patterns effectively detect subtle cognitive changes.

Conclusions:

• Portable eye-tracking devices are promising for detecting cognitive impairments in neurological conditions.
• Ease of use and portability facilitate widespread clinical adoption.
• These tools enhance early diagnosis and disease progression monitoring.