Psychometric properties of the Penn Computerized Neurocognitive Battery.

Abstract

Objective The Penn Computerized Neurocognitive Battery (CNB) was designed to measure performance accuracy and speed on specific neurobehavioral domains using tests that were previously validated with functional neuroimaging. A crucial step in determining whether the CNB has attained its objective is to assess its factor structure. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the neuropsychological theory used to construct the CNB by confirming the factor structure of the tests composing it. Method In a large community sample (N = 9138; age range 8-21), we performed a correlated-traits confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and multiple exploratory factor analyses (EFA’s) on the twelve CNB measures of Efficiency (which combine Accuracy and Speed). To further explore the measures contributing to Efficiency, we then performed EFA’s of the Accuracy and Speed measures separately. Finally, we performed a confirmatory bifactor analysis of the Efficiency scores. All analyses were performed with Mplus using maximum likelihood estimation. Results Results strongly support the a priori theory used to construct the CNB, showing that tests designed to measure executive, episodic memory, complex cognition and social cognition aggregate their loadings within these domains. When Accuracy and Speed were analyzed separately, Accuracy produced three reliable factors: executive and complex cognition, episodic memory and social cognition, while speed produced two factors: tests that require fast responses and those where each item requires deliberation. The interpretability and statistical “Fit” of almost all models described above was acceptable (usually excellent). Conclusions Based on the well powered analysis from these large scale data, the CNB offers an effective means for measuring the integrity of intended neurocognitive domains in about one hour of testing and is thus suitable for large-scale clinical and genomic studies.

Practice effects distort translational validity estimates for a Neurocognitive Battery

“…It has acceptable construct validity (R. C. Gur et al, 2010) and psychometric properties (Moore, Reise, Gur, Hakonarson, & Gur, 2014) and the well-documented cognitive impairments in schizophrenia are also detectable (R. C. Gur et al, 2001a; R.…”

Development of an abbreviated form of the Penn Line Orientation Test using large samples and computerized adaptive test simulation.

“…The Penn Computerized Neurocognitive Battery (Penn CNB; http://www.med.upenn.edu/bbl/) was designed to address this need (Gur et al, 2001, 2010) by offering a set of “neurobehavioral probes” (Gur, Erwin, & Gur, 1992) validated with functional neuroimaging (Roalf et al, 2014) and with established psychometric properties (Moore, Reise, Gur, Hakonarson, & Gur, 2014). Although the tests that compose the Penn CNB were often adapted from traditional neuropsychological assessments, they also have the advantage of being validated with functional neuroimaging as reflecting the recruitment of specific brain systems (e.g., R.…”

“…The test exhibits adequate psychometric properties (R. C. Gur et al, 2001, 2010; Moore, Reise, Gur, Hakonarson, & Gur, 2014) and has been used in large-scale genomic studies to examine associations with psychiatric disorders and brain structure and function (R. C. Gur et al, 2012; Iannacone et al, 2014; Van Essen et al, 2012).…”

Aplicabilidade da bateria neurocognitiva computadorizada da Universidade da Pensilvânia em adultos com transtorno bipolar

“…Estas oferecem execução padronizada e armazenagem automatizada dos dados gerados, reduzindo o tempo de aplicação e minimizando a interferência subjetiva do avaliador, o que as torna ideais para o estudo de grandes amostras (Gur et al, 2010 Cada um dos testes que a compõe a Penn-CNB foi validado em um estudo com 139 a 536 indivíduos saudáveis de ambos os sexos efaixa etária entre 18 e 84 anos (Gur et al, 2010). Recentemente, evidência adicional da validade de construto e confiabilidade das propriedades psicométricas da Penn-CNB foi obtida em um estudo avaliando 9.138 jovens (8 -21 anos) da comunidade (Moore et al, 2015). Nesta investigação, a análise fatorial das medidas obtidas (velocidade e precisão) demonstrou que os resultados agregaram-se em domínios cognitivos distintos, correspondentes aos testes da Penn-CNB (Moore et al, 2015).…”

“…Recentemente, evidência adicional da validade de construto e confiabilidade das propriedades psicométricas da Penn-CNB foi obtida em um estudo avaliando 9.138 jovens (8 -21 anos) da comunidade (Moore et al, 2015). Nesta investigação, a análise fatorial das medidas obtidas (velocidade e precisão) demonstrou que os resultados agregaram-se em domínios cognitivos distintos, correspondentes aos testes da Penn-CNB (Moore et al, 2015).…”