Cross-Cultural Assessment of Neuropsychological Performance and Electrical Brain Function Measures: Additional Validation of an International Brain Database

Abstract

Previous studies have revealed significant differences in performance on nonlanguage dependent cognitive tests across international settings among younger individuals, with less pronounced differences evident among older individuals (>54 years of age). The present study examined a broad range of cognitive performance as well as electrophysiological indices of brain function in a multisite and international context. A total of 200 individuals in the United States, 233 individuals in Europe, and 829 individuals in Australia were administered a standardized computerized neuropsychological battery, and complementary electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings were completed. Results revealed no significant differences in cognitive function or electrophysiology across the three continents. Similarly, although there was a main effect for age, the interaction between age and continent was not significant in any of the omnibus analyses. These findings indicate a high degree of similarity in neurocognitive and electrophysiological function among individuals residing in developed Western cultures, consistent with a traitlike status and the high heritability of the EEG.

An integrative assessment of brain and body function ‘at rest’ in panic disorder: A combined quantitative EEG/autonomic function study

“…Additionally, the assessment start time was not the same for all participants. However, as the assessment time varied non-systematically in patients vs. controls, it is unlikely that the assessment time contributed significantly to the results (e.g., circadian effects); BRID data collected at different sites at pseudo-random times-of-day did not differ on any electrophysiological measure according to site (Paul et al 2007). Another possible limitation of the study, as previously indicated, is that the cross-sectional nature of the study precludes the possibility of determining whether the observed disturbances of CNS and ANS function in PD represent state, trait, or vulnerability markers for the disorder.…”

“…This author also contributed normative data to BRID. A recent international study by Paul et al (2007) compared data acquired in different BRID laboratories and found no significant effects for site on any electrophysiological measure.…”

EEG alpha asymmetry as a gender-specific predictor of outcome to acute treatment with different antidepressant medications in the randomized iSPOT-D study

“…Details of this procedure have been published elsewhere (Arns et al, 2008;Williams et al, 2011) and details of the reliability and across-site consistency of this EEG procedure have been published (Paul et al, 2007;Williams et al, 2005). In summary, participants were seated in a sound and light attenuated room that was controlled at an ambient temperature of 22°C.…”

In first presentation adolescent anorexia nervosa, do cognitive markers of underweight status change with weight gain following a refeeding intervention?

“…[22][23][24][25] Overall, retest reliability for the battery is 0.75. 26 Standardization norms have been established in over 1,000 healthy participants, including for the 12-18-year range relevant to this study, 24,25 and these norms are part of the Brain Resource International Database (BRID).…”