Neuroinformatics For Neuropsychology

Bioinformatics involves specialized application of computer technology to investigative and conceptual problems in biology and medicine; neuroinformatics (NI) is the practice of bioinformatics in the neurosciences. Over the past two decades the biomedical sciences have been revolutionized by databases, data mining and data modeling techniques. The Human Genome Project, which depended on informatics methods, has been the most well recognized bioinformatics undertaking. Bioinformatics has since been applied all across biology and medicine, and has also transformed almost every avenue in neuroscience. Yet in neuropsychology, NI perspectives remain largely unrealized. Ironically, NI offers enormous potential to the essential praxis of neuropsychology - assessing cognitive behavior and relating cognition to neural systems. Neuroinformatics can be applied to neuropsychology as richly as it has been applied across the neurosciences. Neuroinformatics for Neuropsychology is the first book to explain the relevance and value of NI to neuropsychology. It systematically describes NI tools, applications and models that can enhance the efforts of neuropsychologists. It also describes the implications of NI for neuropsychology in the 21st century – fundamental shifts away from the conventional modes of research, practice and communication that have thus far characterized the field. One of the foremost experts on the subject: Illustrates the vital role NI is playing throughout the neurosciences. Provides a sampling of NI tools and applications in neuroscience research, and lays out current organization structures that support NI. Describes the lack of NI in neuropsychology, differentiates between NI systems for neuropsychology and conventional computerized assessment methods, and proposes criteria for neuropsychology-specific NI systems. Describes NI applications and models currently in use in neuropsychology, and NI models for neuropsychology that are being pioneered in phenomics research. Discusses potential obstacles and aids to NI in neuropsychology, including issues such as data sharing, standardization of methods, and data ontology. Projects the future of neuropsychological research and practice in light of the new generation of the internet, Web 2.0, geared to collective knowledge building. A vital introduction to a profound technological practice, Neuroinformatics for Neuropsychology is important reading for clinical neuropsychologists, cognitive neuroscientists, behavioral neurologists, and speech-language pathologists. Researchers, clinicians, and graduate students interested in informatics for the brain-behavioral sciences will especially welcome this unique volume.

Modern neuroscience is providing profound insights into nature's most mysterious puzzle -- the human brain -- while applications of information and computer science are transforming the way people interact with each other and with the world around them. The new science of neuroinformatics, which sits at the junction, integrates knowledge and promises to catalyze progress in these dynamic and seemingly disparate areas of study. Neuroinformatics research will allow brain and behavioral scientists to make better sense and use of their data through advanced information tools and approaches. These include new ways to acquire, store, visualize, analyze, integrate, synthesize, and share data, as well as the means for electronic scientific collaboration. In this country, the principal source of support for neuroinformatics research is the Human Brain Project. The project, which is led by the National Institute of Mental Health, now supports neuroinformatics research performed by over 60 scientists. This volume presents the findings of the first group of researchers. Their efforts will begin to arm the next generation of brain and behavioral scientists with tools to attack the serious problem of information overload, and ultimately relate their findings to those obtained from different species, levels of biological organization, methods, and laboratories. And the challenges presented by the amount, diversity, and complexity of brain and behavioral data will give informatics researchers the impetus to test and expand the limits of their own science. The work described in this volume signals a change in the way scientists interact with data, instruments and each other, and points the way to a very different and richer future understanding of the human brain and mind.

This is a uniquely comprehensive reference that summarizes the state of the art of signal processing theory and techniques for solving emerging problems in neuroscience, and which clearly presents new theory, algorithms, software and hardware tools that are specifically tailored to the nature of the neurobiological environment. It gives a broad overview of the basic principles, theories and methods in statistical signal processing for basic and applied neuroscience problems. Written by experts in the field, the book is an ideal reference for researchers working in the field of neural engineering, neural interface, computational neuroscience, neuroinformatics, neuropsychology and neural physiology. By giving a broad overview of the basic principles, theories and methods, it is also an ideal introduction to statistical signal processing in neuroscience. A comprehensive overview of the specific problems in neuroscience that require application of existing and development of new theory, techniques, and technology by the signal processing community Contains state-of-the-art signal processing, information theory, and machine learning algorithms and techniques for neuroscience research Presents quantitative and information-driven science that has been, or can be, applied to basic and translational neuroscience problems

Neuropsychology as a field has been slow to embrace and exploit the potential offered by technology to either make the assessment process more efficient or to develop new capabilities that augment the assessment of cognition. The Role of Technology in Clinical Neuropsychology details current efforts to use technology to enhance cognitive assessment with an emphasis on developing expanded capabilities for clinical assessment. The first sections of the book provide an overview of current approaches to computerized assessment along with newer technologies to assess behavior. The next series of chapters explores the use of novel technologies and approaches in cognitive assessment as they relate to developments in telemedicine, mobile health, and remote monitoring including developing smart environments. While still largely office-based, health care is increasingly moving out of the office with an increased emphasis on connecting patients with providers, and providers with other providers, remotely. Chapters also address the use of technology to enhance cognitive rehabilitation by implementing conceptually-based games to teach cognitive strategies and virtual environments to measure outcomes. Next, the chapters explore the use of virtual reality and scenario-based assessment to capture critical aspects of performance not assessed by traditional means and the implementation of neurobiological metrics to enhance patient assessment. Chapters also address the use of imaging to better define cognitive skills and assessment methods along with the integration of cognitive assessment with imaging to define the functioning of brain networks. The final section of the book discusses the ethical and methodological considerations needed for adopting advanced technologies for neuropsychological assessment. Authored by numerous leading figures in the field of neuropsychology, this volume emphasizes the critical role that virtual environments, neuroimaging, and data analytics will play as clinical neuropsychology moves forward in the future.

Compiled reviews of the recent literature are a long established tradition in the laboratory and clinical sciences, and bring to their professions a useful and timely summary of the advances that have been made in the field. Neuropsychology has matured as a science and profession to support a like effort to summarize, across domains, the direction and momentum in the field. The authors are authorities in the subjects they review and provide for the investigator, practitioner and student an overview of the important developments in neuropsychology that cannot be realized from perusal of the journals alone. Interest in the reviews are likely to go beyond the discipline of neuropsychology, and will extend to all with an interest in science of brain-behavior relationships, in the study of disease and injury as they affect brain function, and in the rehabilitation of the individual who has suffered insult to brain. Chapters cover the pragmatic application of tests and test findings to improve our understanding of the behavior of individuals who present with neurocognitive disorders. Where there is interest in efficiently acquiring a sound perspective of the important advances and the future direction of neuropsychology, Neuropsychology: A Review of Science and Practice will provide the means for so doing as no other publication can offer.

This ambitious and accessible guide reviews innovative technologies enhancing the field of neuropsychological testing. Starting with the premise that standard batteries—some nearly a century old—lag behind in our era of neuroimaging, genomic studies, psychophysiology, and informatics, it presents digital measures offering more efficient administration, more accurate data, and wider clinical applications. Ecological validity and evidence-based science are key themes in these advances, from virtual environments and assessment of social cognition to the shift toward situational reliability and away from lab-created constructs. These chapters also demonstrate how high-tech assessment tools can complement or supplement traditional pencil-and-paper measures without replacing them outright. This book covers in depth: · The evolution of neuropsychological testing over the past century. · Current applications of computer-based neuropsychological assessments. · The strengths and limitations of simulation technology. · The use of teleneuropsychology in reaching remote clients. · The potential of gaming technologies in neurocognitive rehabilitation. · How technology can transform test data into information useful across specialties. Clinical Neuropsychology and Technology brings neuropsychologists, clinical psychologists, and rehabilitation specialists into the vanguard of assessment measures and processes that will translate into more accurate testing, collaborations between disciplines, and valid and useful outcomes.

Clinical Neuropsychology is a vast and varied field that focuses on the treatment, assessment and diagnosis of a range of cognitive disorders through a study and understanding of neuroanatomy and the relationship between the brain and human behavior. This handbook focuses on the assessment, diagnosis and rehabilitation of cognitive disorders. It provides in-depth coverage on a variety of content, including psychometrics, neuropsychological test batteries (computer based cognitive assessment systems) and assessment applications. This handbook is vital for clinical neuropsychologists and postgraduate students and researchers hoping to apply a knowledge of neuropsychology to clinical settings and effectively assess, diagnose and treat patients suffering from cognitive disorders. PART I BACKGROUND CONSIDERATIONS PART II DOMAIN-SPECIFIC NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL MEASURES PART III GENERAL COGNITIVE TEST BATTERIES PART IV LEGACY NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL TEST BATTERIES PART V COMPUTERISED BATTERIES, TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES AND TELENEUROPSYCHOLOGY PART VI NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT APPLICATIONS

"Getting a fix on important questions and how to think about them from an experimental point of view is what scientists talk about, sometimes endlessly. It is those conversations that thrill and motivate," observes Michael Gazzaniga. Yet all too often these exciting interactions are lost to students, researchers, and others who are "doing" science.