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Review
. 2011 Aug;25(6):1029-41.
doi: 10.1080/13854046.2011.585142. Epub 2011 Sep 9.

Challenges and opportunities for genomic developmental neuropsychology: examples from the Penn-Drexel collaborative battery

Ruben C Gur  1 , Farzin Irani, Sarah Seligman, Monica E Calkins, Jan Richard, Raquel E Gur
Affiliations
Review

Challenges and opportunities for genomic developmental neuropsychology: examples from the Penn-Drexel collaborative battery

Ruben C Gur et al. Clin Neuropsychol. 2011 Aug.

Abstract

Genomics has been revolutionizing medicine over the past decade by offering mechanistic insights into disease processes and engendering the age of "individualized medicine." Because of the sheer number of measures generated by gene sequencing methods, genomics requires "Big Science" where large datasets on genes are analyzed in reference to electronic medical record data. This revolution has largely bypassed the behavioral neurosciences, mainly because of the paucity of behavioral data in medical records and the labor-intensity of available neuropsychological assessment methods. We describe the development and implementation of an efficient neuroscience-based computerized battery, coupled with a computerized clinical assessment procedure. This assessment package has been applied to a genomic study of 10,000 children aged 8-21, of whom 1000 also undergo neuroimaging. Results from the first 3000 participants indicate sensitivity to neurodevelopmental trajectories. Sex differences were evident, with females outperforming males in memory and social cognition domains, while for spatial processing males were more accurate and faster, and they were faster on simple motor tasks. The study illustrates what will hopefully become a major component of the work of clinical and research neuropsychologists as invaluable participants in the dawning age of Big Science neuropsychological genomics.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Results from the traditional neuropsychological battery: Sex differences. ABF=Abstraction and Mental Flexibility; ATT= Attention; VMEM= Verbal Memory; SMEM=Spatial Memory; LAN=Language; SPA=Spatial Processing; SEN=Sensory; MOT=Motor.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Results from the traditional neuropsychological battery: Effects of schizophrenia, before and after treatment. ABF=Abstraction and Mental Flexibility; ATT= Attention; VMEM= Verbal Memory; SMEM=Spatial Memory; LAN=Language; SPA=Spatial Processing; SEN=Sensory; MOT=Motor; NP=Neuropsychological.
Figure 3
Figure 3. The current version of the Penn Computerized Neurocognitive Battery: Examples of stimuli
Figure 4
Figure 4. The Penn Computerized Neurocognitive Battery: Results in a normative sample and in patients with schizophrenia
ABF=Abstraction and Mental Flexibility; ATT= Attention; VMEM= Verbal Memory; SMEM=Spatial Memory; LAN=Language; SPA=Spatial Processing; SM=Sensory-Motor; CNT=Control; SCH=Schizophrenia patient.
Figure 5
Figure 5. Example of the Computerized Clinical Interview (GOASSESS)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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