TABLE 5.
Assessment tools for neurological function1
| Assessment | Modality | Iron-dependent neurologic process | Behavior construct | Other nutrients | Applicability for field use | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sensory evoked response (ABR, VEP) | Electrophysiology | Myelination, synaptic efficacy | Speed of processing | Oxygen, iodine (infection) | No | Sensitive; rapid; need equipment |
| Event-related potentials | Electrophysiology | Myelination, hippocampal integrity, synaptic efficacy | Speed of processing; recognition memory; implicit memory | Glucose, protein, oxygen, zinc, iodine | No | Very sensitive, not portable |
| T2-weighted MRI | Neuroimaging | Iron content | None | None | No | Detects overload, but not ID |
| Standardized tests (e.g., Bayley scales) | Behavior | Myelination, synaptic efficacy, monoamine status | Global function (integration of effects of brain-wide iron deficiency) | Protein, fat, oxygen, glucose, iodine | Yes | Nonspecific; not sensitive |
| A, not B | Behavior | Synaptic efficacy; monoamines | Working memory | Zinc, iodine | Yes | Trained tester |
| Actigraph | Physiology | Monoamines | Spontaneous motor activity | Protein, copper, iodine | Yes | Trained interpreter |
| Social-emotional behavior scale | Behavior; survey | Monoamines | Frontal lobe | Copper, iodine | Yes | Trained interpreter |
| INFANIB | Physical exam | Myelination | Global | Oxygen, iodine (infection) | Yes | — |
| Peabody developmental motor scale | Behavior | Myelination monoamines | Gross and fine motor | Protein, fat, oxygen, glucose, iodine | Yes | Nonspecific |
| Optotrak | Behavior | Myelination monoamines | Motor response | Oxygen, iodine | No | Equipment and trained interpreter |
1ABR, auditory brainstem response; ID, iron deficiency; VEP, visual evoked potential.