Fostering advances to neuropsychological assessment based on the Research Domain Criteria: The bridge between cognitive functioning and physiology

Abstract

Objectives: The current review aimed to explore the advances in neuropsychological assessment in light of a recent research framework designed to improve our knowledge on mental health the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC). Methods: RDoC proposals on neuropsychological tests were reviewed across the RDoC cognitive systems domain. The focus is on the physiological unit of analysis and the potential applications are illustrated given the functional relevance of RDoC constructs to psychopathological and neurological conditions. Results: The advances in neuropsychology anchored in RDoC are not observable in terms of innovative paradigms, but rather in the neurobiological correlates that may be obtained from the classical neuropsychological tasks. The behavior unit of analysis may be integrated with physiological outcomes while mapping distinct cognitive constructs simultaneously. Conclusions: Under the aegis of RDoC, the integration of multiple levels of analysis allows to obtain a more detailed and complete neuropsychological characterization with high potential to be translated into better intervention strategies.

Empirically supported interventions in psychology: contributions of Research Domain Criteria

“…TARA and Engage did not take advantage of this novel approach to measure efficacy and have not included biological or other units of analysis, although they used neuroscientific evidence to consubstantiate their interventions. Using the RDoC' units of analysis to search for evidence of validity is a promising new venue, even if including assessment measures from several research fields requires the interplay between areas of knowledge, multidisciplinary teams, and longer assessment procedures, making this a costly and demanding endeavor (Geraldo et al, 2018). As such, it is not clear how it will be achieved in mainstream intervention studies.…”

“…The domains and constructs are not designed to be independent, but rather promote comprehensive and tailored interventions (Clark et al, 2017). In other words, it is not intended to isolate specific constructs to intervention, but rather consider multiple RDoC constructs of interest while defining a unique profile of intervention (Alexopoulos & Arean, 2014;Geraldo, Azeredo, Pasion, Dores, & Barbosa, 2018). Despite the focus on positive valence system-the core system to explain depression in later-life-the Engage program also includes additional constructs that may moderate the efficacy in intervention, namely loss, arousal, and cognitive control (Alexopoulos et al, 2015(Alexopoulos et al, , 2016(Alexopoulos et al, , 2017Alexopoulos & Arean, 2014).…”

“…How to reframe psychological interventions based on the constructs of the RDoC matrix and on its transdiagnostic basic mechanisms, rather than on previous clinical diagnosis, represents an innovative postulate that may foster optimally matched treatments for mental disorders by settling specific profiles for intervention from the differential combination of RDoC constructs as targets (Geraldo et al, 2018).…”

Pre-existing long-term memory facilitates the formation of visual short-term memory

“…Compromised VSTM is often seen in aging, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, and depression (e.g., Norton et al, 2020;Xie et al, 2019;Xie, Cappiello, et al, 2018;Xie, Li, et al, 2018). The functional integrity of VSTM has therefore been proposed as a transdiagnostic indicator of overall mental health (Geraldo et al, 2019).…”

Pre-existing long-term memory facilitates the formation of visual short-term memory

“…Compromised VSTM is often seen in aging, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, and depression (e.g., Norton et al, 2020;Xie, Berry, Lustig, Deldin, & Zhang, 2019;Xie, Cappiello, et al, 2018;Xie, Li, Zou, Sun, & Shi, 2018). The functional integrity of VSTM has therefore been proposed as a transdiagnostic indicator of overall mental health (Geraldo, Azeredo, Pasion, Dores, & Barbosa, 2019).…”