A COMPLEX CEREBROVASCULAR SCREENING SYSTEM (CERBERUS)

Stroke is unique among neurological diseases since it has a high incid ence rate, severe burden of illness, high economic cost, and it may be preventable [1]. Described here is a system for screening the cerebra l and vascular status of individuals to detect the initial stages of v ascular disorders. The computer based polygraphic system (CERBERUS) qu estions subjects about risk factors, stresses, neurologic symptoms and monitors impedance pulse waves of the head and extremities, EEG, and EGG. The system has been tested in 691 cases. Doppler control studies were carried out on approximately 300 of these cases. Additional somat ic measures and psychological tests related to stroke risk factors wer e carried out for wide biological basis of possible correlation of CER BERUS data base. The high incidence of cerebrovascular disturbance was established by CERBERUS data, further confirmed by additional data ga thered, and moreover was compared by traditional medical records. The polygraphic system is more sensitive at detecting physiological asymme tries of blood flow than even a Doppler measurements. This suggests th at it may be a significantly improved means for the differential diagn osis of neurological disease and the screening of subjects for arterio sclerosis, transient ischemic attack and stroke prevention to be offer ed at the lowest level of medical service.