Validation of Computerized Cognitive Assessment in Cross-Cultural Populations
Abstract
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) has been referred to as the "signature injury" in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, and the Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics (ANAM4), a brief computerized battery of neurocognitive tests, was mandated as a pre-deployment tool in 2008 to help evaluate the effects of TBI. Despite preliminary support for ANAM's correlation with traditional neuropsychological tests, little is known about what constitutes "normal" performance on ANAM4 among cultural/ethnic minority populations, despite their disproportionate representation in the military, the risk of TBI and PTSD during deployment, and the fact that demographic/cultural factors are known to influence performance on many neurocognitive tests. Because of the central role of normative data in interpreting neurocognitive test results, it is important to know whether existing norms are applicable to individuals with different sociocultural backgrounds. The goals of this study are to 1) establish preliminary normative data for ANAM4 in samples of healthy African American, American Indian, and Hispanic American subjects, and 2) compare the ANAM4 test battery with traditional neuropsychological tests that tap similar cognitive abilities. Milestones for Year 1 included obtaining and setting up equipment, pilot testing, staff training, and setting up the database. Our recruitment goal for Year 1 was 90, and we have completed data collection on 94. Milestones for Year 2 such as recruitment, testing, data entry and analysis are in progress.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA554231
Entities
People
- Munro Cullum
Organizations
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center