Perceived cognitive impairment is related to internalizing psychopathology but unrelated to objective cognitive performance among nongeriatric adults presenting for outpatient neuropsychological evaluation.

Objective: This study investigated the relationship between perceived cognitive impairment, objective cognitive performance, and intrapersonal variables thought to influence ratings of perceived cognitive impairment. Method: Study sample comprised 194 nongeriatric adults who were seen in a general outpatient neuropsychology clinic for a variety of referral questions. The cognition subscale score from the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule served as the measure of perceived cognitive impairment. Objective cognitive performance was indexed via a composite score derived from a comprehensive neuropsychological battery. Internalizing psychopathology was indexed via a composite score derived from anxiety and depression measures. Medical and neuropsychiatric comorbidities were indexed by the number of different ICD diagnostic categories documented in medical records. Demographics included age, sex, race, and years of education. Results: Objective cognitive performance was unrelated to subjective concerns, explaining <1% of the variance in perceived cognitive impairment ratings. Conversely, internalizing psychopathology was significantly predictive, explaining nearly one-third of the variance in perceived cognitive impairment ratings, even after accounting for test performance, demographics, and number of comorbidities. Internalizing psychopathology was also highly associated with a greater discrepancy between scores on perceived and objective cognitive measures among participants with greater cognitive concerns. Clinically significant somatic symptoms uniquely contributed to the explained variance in perceived cognitive impairment (by ∼13%) when analyzed in a model with internalizing symptoms. Conclusions: These findings suggest that perceived cognitive impairment may be more indicative of the extent of internalizing psychopathology and somatic concerns than cognitive ability.

Smartphone-derived Virtual Keyboard Dynamics Coupled with Accelerometer Data as a Window into Understanding Brain Health: Smartphone Keyboard and Accelerometer as Window into Brain Health.

We examine the feasibility of using accelerometer data exclusively collected during typing on a custom smartphone keyboard to study whether typing dynamics are associated with daily variations in mood and cognition. As part of an ongoing digital mental health study involving mood disorders, we collected data from a well-characterized clinical sample (N = 85) and classified accelerometer data per typing session into orientation (upright vs. not) and motion (active vs. not). The mood disorder group showed lower cognitive performance despite mild symptoms (depression/mania). There were also diurnal pattern differences with respect to cognitive performance: individuals with higher cognitive performance typed faster and were less sensitive to time of day. They also exhibited more well-defined diurnal patterns in smartphone keyboard usage: they engaged with the keyboard more during the day and tapered their usage more at night compared to those with lower cognitive performance, suggesting a healthier usage of their phone.

A scoping review of stereotype threat for BIPOC: Cognitive effects and intervention strategies for the field of neuropsychology.

OBJECTIVE: Abundant evidence documents stereotype threat's (ST) detrimental effect on test performance across identities and contexts (i.e., eliciting underperformance). Review of the literature shows varied aspects of both stereotyped identities and cognition are inconsistently explored across studies. Only a portion of the literature focuses on ST's impact on Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). It is important to understand and learn to mitigate ST, particularly for historically marginalized and systemically oppressed BIPOC patients. Relevance exists for neuropsychologists, who engage in activities (i.e., assessments) that may activate ST, and should be aware of additional factors impacting testing results and clinical decision making. METHOD: Using scoping review criteria (Peters et al., 2015) and Preferred Reporting Item for Systemic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, we reviewed literature across multiple databases (Google Scholar, PubMed, PsychINFO) on ST and cognition with a focus on BIPOC. RESULTS: The current literature suggests that race-based ST may be implicated in underperformance for executive functioning and separately working memory. There is limited research on the effects of ST for memory, language, attention, and visuospatial skills. CONCLUSION: Research on ST requires additional attention to establish interventions to mitigate negative effects in practice. These results provide 1) an overview of the cognitive implications of ST, 2) address the scope of this impact for BIPOC, and 3) provide possible intervention and training strategies for neuropsychologists and other clinicians to work to mitigate the effects of ST on BIPOC.