Neuropsychology

The Neuropsychology Group is interested in investigating the cognitive changes associated with normal ageing, mild neurocognitive syndromes and dementia, and developing the most efficient and accurate methods for measuring cognitive decline. The group is developing normative data for several cognitive tests and identifying appropriate cognitive instruments for individuals coming from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. We are also conducting the CogSCANproject which is evaluating the use of computerised neuropsychological assessment to improve accessibility and diagnostic accuracy of mild neurocognitive disorders and dementia. We have established strong collaborative links with researchers in CHeBA and with international consortia such as IGEMS and ENIGMA, investigating the associations between cognition with: brain structure and function, genetics and environmental factors, medical comorbidities, inflammatory markers and falls in the older adult population.

Group Leaders: Dr Nicole Kochan, Dr Teresa Lee Staff: Dr John Crawford, Karen Allison, Dr Karen Croot, Dr Adam Bentvelzen, Min Yee Ong, Matilda Rossie, Jessica Turner Students: PhD candidates: Dr Rebecca Koncz, Annette Spooner, Zara Page, Premilla Chinnappa-Quinn; Fourth year medical students (Independent Learning Projects 2020): Sophia Xi

Dr Karen Croot, Dr Teresa Lee, Zara Page, Dr Nicole Kochan

Additional focus on remote computerised cognitive assessments with CogSCAN At Home

The COVID pandemic and the associated physical distancing requirements presented an enormous challenge to clinical work and research alike. Given that face-to-face assessments were not possible, and older adults, a vulnerable group for COVID, were unable to attend UNSW, the CogSCAN team pivoted to remotely-delivered cognitive assessments in the person’s home. iPads and study materials were provided through contactless delivery. Study participants self-administered the cognitive tests with support from research assistants by phone. The feedback from a pilot group was very positive. They told us in debriefing interviews that they enjoyed the convenience of being at home while participating in the study and felt well-supported by the study staff in managing any technical difficulties or questions. The remote testing approach will be further investigated as a means of providing more accessible and flexible cognitive assessments for older Australians with the potential to facilitate a timely diagnosis of cognitive impairment and dementia. This is particularly important for Australians who live in regional areas who have limited access to dementia assessment services.

CHeBA-led Consortia

"By pooling data we can create ‘big data sets’ that produce more robust statistical models and more precise estimates than individual cohort studies."

Professor Perminder Sachdev AM