Neuropsychological tests are integral in the detection of cognitive decline associated with a variety of diseases. Renowned for their sensitivity, these tests allow for the identification of subtle cognitive changes, often serving as the first indication of underlying health conditions. Beyond detection, neuropsychological assessments enable the creation of detailed cognitive profiles, offering nuanced insights into the cognitive impacts of different diseases and aiding in their identification and characterization.
This research topic seeks to expand the understanding of neuropsychological tests by emphasizing their role in:
1. Detecting cognitive decline with precision.
2. Developing disease-specific cognitive profiles for early and accurate identification.
3. Improving testing methodologies and integrating interdisciplinary tools and technologies.
The key areas of focus emphasize the necessity for standardized methodologies in neuropsychological testing to improve their ability to distinguish between normal cognitive aging and pathological decline. It is crucial that research submissions propose novel methodological structures and consistency guidelines to aid this effort. Additionally, exploring cognitive profiling across various diseases is of high importance, as contributions should aim to define and analyze specific cognitive patterns associated with diverse disorders. This will facilitate early and accurate diagnoses by mapping unique cognitive characteristics to the underlying pathology. Moreover, interdisciplinary integration of neuropsychological testing with other diagnostic tools, such as neuroimaging, biological markers, and genetic profiling, is highly encouraged. Research that spans neurology, psychology, and neuroengineering can offer a comprehensive understanding of cognitive health and its decline.
Incorporating machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) into neuropsychological assessments is another critical focus, with research needed to enhance the sensitivity of these tests, detect subtle patterns, and develop personalized cognitive profiles. Ethical considerations are paramount, necessitating studies that propose frameworks for responsible integration of ML/AI into clinical practice. Furthermore, advancements in rehabilitation and clinical applications of neuropsychological tests are essential. Research should examine how these tests can inform personalized rehabilitation plans and targeted interventions to improve patient outcomes. Overall, submissions are encouraged to showcase innovative applications, development of disease-specific cognitive profiles, methodological advancements, interdisciplinary approaches, and the integration of cutting-edge technologies into neuropsychological assessments and clinical settings.
We invite researchers to contribute original work, reviews, and methodological papers that deepen our understanding of how neuropsychological tests can detect cognitive decline, create cognitive profiles, and integrate new technologies to advance neuropsychological assessment.
Keywords: Neuropsychology, cognitive, Clinical, rehabilitation
Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
