Researchers at Boston University Target Digital Technology (Digital Technology Differentiates Graphomotor and Information Processing Speed Patterns of Behavior)

2021 AUG 05 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Information Technology Daily -- Investigators discuss new findings in Technology - Digital Technology. According to news reporting originating from Boston, Massachusetts, by NewsRx correspondents, research stated, “Coupling digital technology with traditional neuropsychological test performance allows collection of high-precision metrics that can clarify and/or define underlying constructs related to brain and cognition. To identify graphomotor and information processing trajectories using a digitally administered version of the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST).”

Funders for this research include NIH National Institute on Aging (NIA), National Institute of General Medical Sciences Interdisciplinary Training Grant for Biostatisticians, Boston University School of Medicine Department of Medicine Career Investment Award, Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center, Research Registry and Developmental Pilot Grant, NIH National Institute on Aging (NIA), Marty and Paulette Samowitz Foundation.

Our news editors obtained a quote from the research from Boston University, “A subset of Long Life Family Study participants (n = 1,594) completed the DSST. Total time to draw each symbol was divided into ‘writing’ and non-writing or ‘thinking’ time. Bayesian clustering grouped participants by change in median time over intervals of eight consecutively drawn symbols across the 90 s test. Clusters were characterized based on sociodemographic characteristics, health and physical function data, APOE genotype, and neuropsychological test scores. Clustering revealed four ‘thinking’ time trajectories, with two clusters showing significant changes within the test. Participants in these clusters obtained lower episodic memory scores but were similar in other health and functional characteristics. Clustering of ‘writing’ time also revealed four performance trajectories where one cluster of participants showed progressively slower writing time. These participants had weaker grip strength, slower gait speed, and greater perceived physical fatigability, but no differences in cognitive test scores. Digital data identified previously unrecognized patterns of ‘writing’ and ‘thinking’ time that cannot be detected without digital technology. These patterns of performance were differentially associated with measures of cognitive and physical function and may constitute specific neurocognitive biomarkers signaling the presence of subtle to mild dysfunction.”

According to the news editors, the research concluded: “Such information could inform the selection and timing of in-depth neuropsychological assessments and help target interventions.”

This research has been peer-reviewed.

For more information on this research see: Digital Technology Differentiates Graphomotor and Information Processing Speed Patterns of Behavior. Journal of Alzheimer s Disease, 2021;82(1):17-32. Journal of Alzheimer s Disease can be contacted at: Ios Press, Nieuwe Hemweg 6B, 1013 Bg Amsterdam, Netherlands.

The news editors report that additional information may be obtained by contacting Stacy L. Andersen, Boston University, Dept. of Medicine, Geriatr Sect, School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, United States. Additional authors for this research include Thomas T. Perls, Benjamin Sweigart, Nancy W. Glynn, Mary K. Wojczynski, Bharat Thyagarajan, Jonas Mengel-From, Stephen Thielke, David J. Libon, Rhoda Au, Stephanie Cosentino and Paola Sebastianion.

The direct object identifier (DOI) for that additional information is: https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-201119. This DOI is a link to an online electronic document that is either free or for purchase, and can be your direct source for a journal article and its citation.

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