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Di Libero T, Carissimo C, Cerro G, Abbatecola AM, Marino A, Miele G, Ferrigno L, Rodio A. An Overall Automated Architecture Based on the Tapping Test Measurement Protocol: Hand Dexterity Assessment through an Innovative Objective Method. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 24:4133. [PMID: 39000912 PMCID: PMC11244415 DOI: 10.3390/s24134133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
The present work focuses on the tapping test, which is a method that is commonly used in the literature to assess dexterity, speed, and motor coordination by repeatedly moving fingers, performing a tapping action on a flat surface. During the test, the activation of specific brain regions enhances fine motor abilities, improving motor control. The research also explores neuromuscular and biomechanical factors related to finger dexterity, revealing neuroplastic adaptation to repetitive movements. To give an objective evaluation of all cited physiological aspects, this work proposes a measurement architecture consisting of the following: (i) a novel measurement protocol to assess the coordinative and conditional capabilities of a population of participants; (ii) a suitable measurement platform, consisting of synchronized and non-invasive inertial sensors to be worn at finger level; (iii) a data analysis processing stage, able to provide the final user (medical doctor or training coach) with a plethora of useful information about the carried-out tests, going far beyond state-of-the-art results from classical tapping test examinations. Particularly, the proposed study underscores the importance interdigital autonomy for complex finger motions, despite the challenges posed by anatomical connections; this deepens our understanding of upper limb coordination and the impact of neuroplasticity, holding significance for motor abilities assessment, improvement, and therapeutic strategies to enhance finger precision. The proof-of-concept test is performed by considering a population of college students. The obtained results allow us to consider the proposed architecture to be valuable for many application scenarios, such as the ones related to neurodegenerative disease evolution monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tommaso Di Libero
- Department of Human, Social and Health Sciences, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, 03043 Cassino, Italy
| | - Chiara Carissimo
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences "Vincenzo Tiberio", University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
| | - Gianni Cerro
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences "Vincenzo Tiberio", University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
| | - Angela Marie Abbatecola
- Department of Human, Social and Health Sciences, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, 03043 Cassino, Italy
- Alzheimer's Disease Day Clinics, Azienda ria Locale, 03100 Frosinone, Italy
| | - Alessandro Marino
- Department of Electrical and Information Engineering, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, 03043 Cassino, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Miele
- Department of Electrical and Information Engineering, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, 03043 Cassino, Italy
| | - Luigi Ferrigno
- Department of Electrical and Information Engineering, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, 03043 Cassino, Italy
| | - Angelo Rodio
- Department of Human, Social and Health Sciences, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, 03043 Cassino, Italy
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Fattal J, Giljen M, Vargas T, Damme KSF, Calkins ME, Pinkham AE, Mittal VA. A Developmental Perspective on Early and Current Motor Abnormalities and Psychotic-Like Symptoms. Schizophr Bull 2024:sbae062. [PMID: 38728386 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbae062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS Psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) are prevalent in the general population and, because they represent a lower end of the psychosis vulnerability spectrum, may be useful in informing mechanistic understanding. Although it is well-understood that motor signs characterize formal psychotic disorders, the developmental trajectory of these features and their relationships with PLEs are less well-understood. STUDY DESIGN Data from 7559 adolescents and young adults (age 11-21) in the Philadelphia Neurodevelopmental Cohort were used to investigate whether early-life milestone-attainment delays relate to current adolescent sensorimotor functioning and positive and negative PLEs. Current sensorimotor functioning was assessed using the Computerized Finger Tapping task (assessing motor slowing) and Mouse Practice task (assessing sensorimotor planning). STUDY RESULTS Early developmental abnormalities were related to current adolescent-aged motor slowing (t(7415.3) = -7.74, corrected-P < .001) and impaired sensorimotor planning (t(7502.5) = 5.57, corrected-P < .001). There was a significant interaction between developmental delays and current sensorimotor functioning on positive and negative PLEs (t = 1.67-4.51), such that individuals with early developmental delays had a stronger positive relationship between sensorimotor dysfunction and PLEs. Importantly, interaction models were significantly better at explaining current PLEs than those treating early and current sensorimotor dysfunction independently (χ2 = 4.89-20.34). CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest a relationship between early developmental delays and current sensorimotor functioning in psychosis proneness and inform an understanding of heterotypic continuity as well as a neurodevelopmental perspective of motor circuits. Furthermore, results indicate that motor signs are a clear factor in the psychosis continuum, suggesting that they may represent a core feature of psychosis vulnerability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Fattal
- Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Maksim Giljen
- Department of Psychological Science, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Teresa Vargas
- Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Monica E Calkins
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Amy E Pinkham
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, USA
| | - Vijay A Mittal
- Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
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Hayden CD, Murphy BP, Hardiman O, Murray D. Measurement of upper limb function in ALS: a structure review of current methods and future directions. J Neurol 2022; 269:4089-4101. [PMID: 35612658 PMCID: PMC9293830 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-022-11179-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Measurement of upper limb function is critical for tracking clinical severity in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Rating Scale-revised (ALSFRS-r) is the primary outcome measure utilised in clinical trials and research in ALS. This scale is limited by floor and ceiling effects within subscales, such that clinically meaningful changes for subjects are often missed, impacting upon the evaluation of new drugs and treatments. Technology has the potential to provide sensitive, objective outcome measurement. This paper is a structured review of current methods and future trends in the measurement of upper limb function with a particular focus on ALS. Technologies that have the potential to radically change the upper limb measurement field and explore the limitations of current technological sensors and solutions in terms of costs and user suitability are discussed. The field is expanding but there remains an unmet need for simple, sensitive and clinically meaningful tests of upper limb function in ALS along with identifying consensus on the direction technology must take to meet this need.
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Affiliation(s)
- C D Hayden
- Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland. .,Department of Mechanical, Manufacturing and Biomedical Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland. .,Academic Unit of Neurology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse St, Dublin 2, D02 R590, Ireland.
| | - B P Murphy
- Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.,Department of Mechanical, Manufacturing and Biomedical Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.,Advanced Materials and Bioengineering Research Centre (AMBER), Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - O Hardiman
- Academic Unit of Neurology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse St, Dublin 2, D02 R590, Ireland.,Neurocent Directorate, Beaumont Hospital, Beaumont, Dublin 9, Ireland
| | - D Murray
- Academic Unit of Neurology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse St, Dublin 2, D02 R590, Ireland.,Neurocent Directorate, Beaumont Hospital, Beaumont, Dublin 9, Ireland
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Mittal VA, Ellman LM, Strauss GP, Walker EF, Corlett PR, Schiffman J, Woods SW, Powers AR, Silverstein SM, Waltz JA, Zinbarg R, Chen S, Williams T, Kenney J, Gold JM. Computerized Assessment of Psychosis Risk. JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY AND BRAIN SCIENCE 2021; 6:e210011. [PMID: 34307899 PMCID: PMC8302046 DOI: 10.20900/jpbs.20210011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Early detection and intervention with young people at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis is critical for prevention efforts focused on altering the trajectory of psychosis. Early CHR research largely focused on validating clinical interviews for detecting at-risk individuals; however, this approach has limitations related to: (1) specificity (i.e., only 20% of CHR individuals convert to psychosis) and (2) the expertise and training needed to administer these interviews is limited. The purpose of our study is to develop the computerized assessment of psychosis risk (CAPR) battery, consisting of behavioral tasks that require minimal training to administer, can be administered online, and are tied to the neurobiological systems and computational mechanisms implicated in psychosis. The aims of our study are as follows: (1A) to develop a psychosis-risk calculator through the application of machine learning (ML) methods to the measures from the CAPR battery, (1B) evaluate group differences on the risk calculator score and test the hypothesis that the risk calculator score of the CHR group will differ from help-seeking and healthy controls, (1C) evaluate how baseline CAPR battery performance relates to symptomatic outcome two years later (i.e., conversion and symptomatic worsening). These aims will be explored in 500 CHR participants, 500 help-seeking individuals, and 500 healthy controls across the study sites. This project will provide a next-generation CHR battery, tied to illness mechanisms and powered by cutting-edge computational methods that can be used to facilitate the earliest possible detection of psychosis risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijay A. Mittal
- Institutes for Policy Research (IPR) and Innovations in Developmental Sciences (DevSci), Departments of Psychology, Psychiatry, Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Lauren M. Ellman
- Department of Psychology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
| | - Gregory P. Strauss
- Departments of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Elaine F. Walker
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | | | - Jason Schiffman
- Department of Psychological Science, 4201 Social and Behavioral Sciences Gateway, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Scott W. Woods
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06519, USA
| | - Albert R. Powers
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06519, USA
| | - Steven M. Silverstein
- Center for Visual Science, Departments of Psychiatry, Neuroscience and Ophthalmology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - James A. Waltz
- Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21228, USA
| | - Richard Zinbarg
- Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- The Family Institute at Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Shuo Chen
- Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21228, USA
| | - Trevor Williams
- Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Joshua Kenney
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06519, USA
| | - James M. Gold
- Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21228, USA
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Detecting motor slowing in clinical high risk for psychosis in a computerized finger tapping model. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2020; 270:393-397. [PMID: 31432263 PMCID: PMC7031007 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-019-01059-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Finger tapping is sensitive to motor slowing and emerging symptoms in individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis (CHR). A sensitive, computerized finger tapping task would be beneficial in early psychosis screening batteries. The study included 41 CHR and 32 healthy volunteers, who completed a computerized finger tapping task and clinical interviews. This computerized finger tapping task was sensitive to slowing in the CHR group compared to healthy volunteers, and as expected negative but not positive symptoms related to motor slowing. Computerized finger tapping tasks may be an easily dispersible tool for early symptom detection battery relevant to emerging negative symptoms.
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Trajectories of brain system maturation from childhood to older adulthood: Implications for lifespan cognitive functioning. Neuroimage 2017; 163:125-149. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2017.09.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2016] [Revised: 08/31/2017] [Accepted: 09/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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Eng K, Rolin S, Fazio R, Biddle C, O'Grady M, Denney R. Finger Tapping: Why Can't We Alternate Hands? APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY-ADULT 2013; 20:187-191. [PMID: 23384032 DOI: 10.1080/09084282.2012.684114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this research was to determine if there is any need, as per the Halstead-Reitan instructions, to test each hand uninterruptedly on the Finger Oscillation Test (FoT). To the authors' knowledge, there is no widely available research addressing this issue. Enabling administration of the FoT using alternate hands would theoretically make the administration of the assessment more efficient. In this study, participants consisted of 49 graduate students. All were administered the FoT with standard instructions and using an alternating-hands method. The order of administration was counterbalanced to avoid practice effects, and subjects completed distractor tasks between administrations. Results indicated there was a difference between the two administration methods for both dominant, t(47) = -4.09, p < .001, and nondominant, t(48) = -4.17, p < .001, hands. Surprisingly, mean T-scores were significantly higher for both the dominant and nondominant hands in the alternative administration group when compared with the standard method score (50 vs. 44 and 51 vs. 44, respectively). The standard deviations for both hands were also lower using the alternative method. This study highlights the need for neuropsychologists to be aware of the established administration protocols for tests and to carefully consider how deviations from these methods could affect test scores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kari Eng
- a Department of Psychology , Forest Institute of Professional Psychology , Springfield , Missouri
| | - Summer Rolin
- a Department of Psychology , Forest Institute of Professional Psychology , Springfield , Missouri
| | - Rachel Fazio
- a Department of Psychology , Forest Institute of Professional Psychology , Springfield , Missouri
| | - Christine Biddle
- a Department of Psychology , Forest Institute of Professional Psychology , Springfield , Missouri
| | - Megan O'Grady
- a Department of Psychology , Forest Institute of Professional Psychology , Springfield , Missouri
| | - Robert Denney
- a Department of Psychology , Forest Institute of Professional Psychology , Springfield , Missouri
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8
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Gur RE, Gur RC. Gender differences in aging: cognition, emotions, and neuroimaging studies. DIALOGUES IN CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE 2012. [PMID: 22033483 PMCID: PMC3181676 DOI: 10.31887/dcns.2002.4.2/rgur] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Gender and aging moderate brain-behavior relationships. Advances in neuroscience enable integration of neurobehavioral, neuroanatomic, and neurophysiology measures. Here we present neurobehavioral studies thai examine cognitive and emotion processing in healthy men and women and highlight the effects of sex differences and aqinq. Neuroanatomic studies with maqnetic resonance imaging (MRI) indicate that the progressive decrease in brain volume affects froniotemporal brain regions in men more than in Vi/omen, Functional imaging methods suggest sex differences in rate of blood flow, pattern of glucose metabolism, and receptor activity. The role of ovarian hormones is important in elucidating the observed relationships. A life span perspective on gender differences through the integration of available methodologies will advance understanding healthy people and the effects of brain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel E Gur
- Neuropsychiatry Section, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pa, USA
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Da Silva FN, Irani F, Richard J, Brensinger CM, Bilker WB, Gur RE, Gur RC. More than just tapping: index finger-tapping measures procedural learning in schizophrenia. Schizophr Res 2012; 137:234-40. [PMID: 22341487 PMCID: PMC3351528 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2012.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2011] [Revised: 01/14/2012] [Accepted: 01/17/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Finger-tapping has been widely studied using behavioral and neuroimaging paradigms. Evidence supports the use of finger-tapping as an endophenotype in schizophrenia, but its relationship with motor procedural learning remains unexplored. To our knowledge, this study presents the first use of index finger-tapping to study procedural learning in individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (SCZ/SZA) as compared to healthy controls. METHODS A computerized index finger-tapping test was administered to 1169 SCZ/SZA patients (62% male, 88% right-handed), and 689 healthy controls (40% male, 93% right-handed). Number of taps per trial and learning slopes across trials for the dominant and non-dominant hands were examined for motor speed and procedural learning, respectively. RESULTS Both healthy controls and SCZ/SZA patients demonstrated procedural learning for their dominant hand but not for their non-dominant hand. In addition, patients showed a greater capacity for procedural learning even though they demonstrated more variability in procedural learning compared to healthy controls. Left-handers of both groups performed better than right-handers and had less variability in mean number of taps between non-dominant and dominant hands. Males also had less variability in mean tap count between dominant and non-dominant hands than females. As expected, patients had a lower mean number of taps than healthy controls, males outperformed females and dominant-hand trials had more mean taps than non-dominant hand trials in both groups. CONCLUSIONS The index finger-tapping test can measure both motor speed and procedural learning, and motor procedural learning may be intact in SCZ/SZA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe N. Da Silva
- Brain Behavior Laboratory, Section of Neuropsychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4283, United States
| | - Farzin Irani
- Brain Behavior Laboratory, Section of Neuropsychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4283, United States
| | - Jan Richard
- Brain Behavior Laboratory, Section of Neuropsychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4283, United States
| | - Colleen M. Brensinger
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4283, United States
| | - Warren B. Bilker
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4283, United States
| | - Raquel E. Gur
- Brain Behavior Laboratory, Section of Neuropsychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4283, United States
| | - Ruben C. Gur
- Brain Behavior Laboratory, Section of Neuropsychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4283, United States
- Philadelphia Veterans Administration Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4283, United States
- Corresponding author: Ruben C. Gur. Present/Permanent Address: Brain Behavior Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, 10th floor Gates Building, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce St., Philadelphia, PA, 19104-4283, United States. Tel.: +1 215 615 3604; fax: +1 215 662 7903.
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Gur RC, Richard J, Calkins ME, Chiavacci R, Hansen JA, Bilker WB, Loughead J, Connolly JJ, Qiu H, Mentch FD, Abou-Sleiman PM, Hakonarson H, Gur RE. Age group and sex differences in performance on a computerized neurocognitive battery in children age 8-21. Neuropsychology 2012; 26:251-265. [PMID: 22251308 PMCID: PMC3295891 DOI: 10.1037/a0026712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 353] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Examine age group effects and sex differences by applying a comprehensive computerized battery of identical behavioral measures linked to brain systems in youths that were already genotyped. Such information is needed to incorporate behavioral data as neuropsychological "biomarkers" in large-scale genomic studies. METHOD We developed and applied a brief computerized neurocognitive battery that provides measures of performance accuracy and response time for executive-control, episodic memory, complex cognition, social cognition, and sensorimotor speed domains. We tested a population-based sample of 3,500 genotyped youths ages 8-21 years. RESULTS Substantial improvement with age occurred for both accuracy and speed, but the rates varied by domain. The most pronounced improvement was noted in executive control functions, specifically attention, and in motor speed, with some effect sizes exceeding 1.8 standard deviation units. The least pronounced age group effect was in memory, where only face memory showed a large effect size on improved accuracy. Sex differences had much smaller effect sizes but were evident, with females outperforming males on attention, word and face memory, reasoning speed, and all social cognition tests and males outperforming females in spatial processing and sensorimotor and motor speed. These sex differences in most domains were seen already at the youngest age groups, and age group × sex interactions indicated divergence at the oldest groups with females becoming faster but less accurate than males. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that cognitive performance improves substantially in this age span, with large effect sizes that differ by domain. The more pronounced improvement for executive and reasoning domains than for memory suggests that memory capacities have reached their apex before age 8. Performance was sexually modulated and most sex differences were apparent by early adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben C. Gur
- Brain Behavior Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Jan Richard
- Brain Behavior Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Monica E. Calkins
- Brain Behavior Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Rosetta Chiavacci
- Center for Applied Genomics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, USA
| | - John A. Hansen
- Brain Behavior Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Warren B. Bilker
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA
| | - James Loughead
- Brain Behavior Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA
| | - John J. Connolly
- Center for Applied Genomics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Haijun Qiu
- Center for Applied Genomics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Frank D. Mentch
- Center for Applied Genomics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Patrick M. Abou-Sleiman
- Center for Applied Genomics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Hakon Hakonarson
- Center for Applied Genomics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Raquel E. Gur
- Brain Behavior Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA
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Gur RC, Richard J, Hughett P, Calkins ME, Macy L, Bilker WB, Brensinger C, Gur RE. A cognitive neuroscience-based computerized battery for efficient measurement of individual differences: standardization and initial construct validation. J Neurosci Methods 2009; 187:254-62. [PMID: 19945485 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2009.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 358] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2009] [Revised: 11/17/2009] [Accepted: 11/23/2009] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
There is increased need for efficient computerized methods to collect reliable data on a range of cognitive domains that can be linked to specific brain systems. Such need arises in functional neuroimaging studies, where individual differences in cognitive performance are variables of interest or serve as confounds. In genetic studies of complex behavior, which require particularly large samples, such trait measures can serve as endophenotypes. Traditional neuropsychological tests, based on clinical pathological correlations, are protracted, require extensive training in administration and scoring, and leave lengthy paper trails (double-entry for analysis). We present a computerized battery that takes an average of 1h and provides measures of accuracy and speed on 9 neurocognitive domains. They are cognitive neuroscience-based in that they have been linked experimentally to specific brain systems with functional neuroimaging studies. We describe the process of translating tasks used in functional neuroimaging to tests for assessing individual differences. Data are presented on each test with samples ranging from 139 (81 female) to 536 (311 female) of carefully screened healthy individuals ranging in age from 18 to 84. Item consistency was established with acceptable to high Cronbach alpha coefficients. Inter-item correlations were moderate to high within domain and low to nil across domains, indicating construct validity. Initial criterion validity was demonstrated by sensitivity to sex differences and the effects of age, education and parental education. These results encourage the use of this battery in studies needing an efficient assessment of major neurocognitive domains such as multi-site genetic studies and clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben C Gur
- Brain Behavior Laboratory, Section of Neuropsychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4283, United States.
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Reeves SJ, Grasby PM, Howard RJ, Bantick RA, Asselin MC, Mehta MA. A positron emission tomography (PET) investigation of the role of striatal dopamine (D2) receptor availability in spatial cognition. Neuroimage 2005; 28:216-26. [PMID: 15979345 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2005.05.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2005] [Revised: 04/26/2005] [Accepted: 05/19/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The functional significance of age-related changes in regional brain dopamine (DA) function is poorly understood in health. Two recent studies have reported positive linear associations between measures of striatal DA (D2) receptor availability (binding potential) and specific aspects of motor and cognitive performance, after controlling for the effects of age [(Volkow, N.D., Gur, R.C., Wang, G.-J., Fowler, J.S., Moberg, P.J., Ding, Y.-S., Hitzemann, R., Smith, G., Logan, J., 1998. Association between decline in brain dopamine activity with age and cognitive and motor impairment in healthy individuals. Am. J. Psychiatry 155 (3), 344-349; Backman, L., Ginovart, N., Dixon, R.A., Wahlin, T.-B.R., Wahlin, A., Halldin, C., Farde, L., 2000. Age-related cognitive deficits mediated by changes in the striatal dopamine system. Am. J. Psychiatry 157 (4), 635-637)]. We investigated the relationship between measures of striatal DA (D2) receptor availability and visuo-spatial cognitive performance in thirty healthy post-menopausal women aged 58-90 years. [(11)C] Raclopride (RAC) positron emission tomography (PET) was used to assess dopamine (D2) receptor availability. The CANTAB neuropsychological test battery was used to assess spatial span, spatial working memory (SWM) and planning ability. Age showed significant linear correlations with several of the CANTAB performance measures. After controlling for age effects, DA (D2) receptor measures in left-sided striatal regions (caudate and putamen) were significantly and positively correlated with 'perfect solution' scores--the measure of performance accuracy--on the Tower of London (TOL) test of spatial planning. When this relationship was examined in relation to task difficulty, only perfect scores for the most 'difficult' (4-move) problems were significantly correlated with BP measures in all striatal regions, most notably the right and left caudate nuclei. Paradoxically, individuals with higher DA (D2) receptor measures in the right caudate performed less accurately on the SWM task, exhibiting a higher number of errors within each search sequence. The relative contribution of striatal DA (D2) receptor availability to specific aspects of cognitive performance needs to be evaluated in larger mixed-sex samples to facilitate the meaningful investigation of the potential therapeutic benefits of DA (D2) agonists in later life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne J Reeves
- Section of Old Age Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, London, UK.
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