The Four Mountains
Test (VR).
We partnered with Dr. Shuhan He (Massachusetts General Hospital / Harvard Medical School) and Conduct Science to develop the VR adaptation of the "Four Mountains Test"—a gold-standard tool for spatial memory assessment and Alzheimer's research.
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L
Shaped Route
AI
Neuro Analysis
A Diagnostic Tool for the Mind.
The Four Mountains Test was originally used to assess a person’s ability to recognize and recreate spatial layouts. In our VR version, participants are immersed in a virtual environment where they must walk a guided path and navigate back to the start from memory.
Research indicates that poor performance on this test correlates with declining Entorhinal Cortex volume, making it a valuable biomarker for early molecular neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease.
How It Works
An immersive setup providing a more dynamic evaluation than traditional paper tests.
1. Guided 'L' Route
The participant follows a guided ‘L’-shaped path to visit three distinct locations marked by inverted cones, experiencing different visual cues.
2. Spatial Recall
At the final location, the markers disappear. The participant must harness their spatial memory to navigate back to the exact starting coordinates.
3. Data Analysis
We compute the "Absolute Distance Error." Higher error rates can signal cognitive impairment linked to early-stage dementia.
Paper vs. VR
Traditional tests involved recognizing photos on paper. VR allows for controlled variations and machine learning analysis of movement patterns.