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Review
. 2020 Dec 16;22(12):e23777.
doi: 10.2196/23777.

Paradigm Shift Toward Digital Neuropsychology and High-Dimensional Neuropsychological Assessments: Review

Thomas Parsons  1 , Tyler Duffield  2
Affiliations
Review

Paradigm Shift Toward Digital Neuropsychology and High-Dimensional Neuropsychological Assessments: Review

Thomas Parsons et al. J Med Internet Res. .

Abstract

Neuropsychologists in the digital age have increasing access to emerging technologies. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) initiatives for behavioral and social sciences have emphasized these developing scientific and technological potentials (eg, novel sensors) for augmented characterization of neurocognitive, behavioral, affective, and social processes. Perhaps these innovative technologies will lead to a paradigm shift from disintegrated and data-poor behavioral science to cohesive and data-rich science that permits improved translation from bench to bedside. The 4 main advances influencing the scientific priorities of a recent NIH Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research strategic plan include the following: integration of neuroscience into behavioral and social sciences, transformational advances in measurement science, digital intervention platforms, and large-scale population cohorts and data integration. This paper reviews these opportunities for novel brain-behavior characterizations. Emphasis is placed on the increasing concern of neuropsychology with these topics and the need for development in these areas to maintain relevance as a scientific discipline and advance scientific developments. Furthermore, the effects of such advancements necessitate discussion and modification of training as well as ethical and legal mandates for neuropsychological research and praxes.

Keywords: big data; informatics; machine learning; mobile phone; neuropsychology; smartphone; technology; virtual reality.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
A Square cannot perceive his world as anything other than 2-dimensional. Reprinted with permission.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Proliferation of publications identified in the PubMed database over time. Search terms: “computer” by discipline (eg, “neuropsychology,” “neurology,” “neuroscience”).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Proliferation of publications identified in the PubMed database over time. Search terms: “technology” by discipline (eg, “neuropsychology,” “neurology,” “neuroscience”).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Proliferation of publications identified in the PubMed database over time. Search terms: “neuroimaging” by discipline (eg, “neuropsychology,” “neurology,” “neuroscience”).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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