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Language Measures of the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 June 2014

Richard C. Gershon ,
Karon F. Cook ,
Dan Mungas ,
Jennifer J. Manly ,
Jerry Slotkin ,
Jennifer L. Beaumont  and
Sandra Weintraub
Richard C. Gershon*
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
Karon F. Cook
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
Dan Mungas
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, University of California, Davis, California
Jennifer J. Manly
Affiliation:
Cognitive Neuroscience Division, Taub Institute for Research in Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, New York
Jerry Slotkin
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
Jennifer L. Beaumont
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
Sandra Weintraub
Affiliation:
Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to: Richard Gershon, Northwestern University, Suite 2700, 625 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. E-mail: gershon@northwestern.edu
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Abstract

Language facilitates communication and efficient encoding of thought and experience. Because of its essential role in early childhood development, in educational achievement and in subsequent life adaptation, language was included as one of the subdomains in the NIH Toolbox for the Assessment of Neurological and Behavioral Function Cognition Battery (NIHTB-CB). There are many different components of language functioning, including syntactic processing (i.e., morphology and grammar) and lexical semantics. For purposes of the NIHTB-CB, two tests of language—a picture vocabulary test and a reading recognition test—were selected by consensus based on literature reviews, iterative expert input, and a desire to assess in English and Spanish. NIHTB-CB’s picture vocabulary and reading recognition tests are administered using computer adaptive testing and scored using item response theory. Data are presented from the validation of the English versions in a sample of adults ages 20–85 years (Spanish results will be presented in a future publication). Both tests demonstrated high test–retest reliability and good construct validity compared to corresponding gold-standard measures. Scores on the NIH Toolbox measures were consistent with age-related expectations, namely, growth in language during early development, with relative stabilization into late adulthood. (JINS, 2014, 20, 1–10)

Keywords

Reading testVocabulary testNeuropsychological assessmentComputer adaptive testingItem response theorySpanish version
Type
Special Series
Information
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society , Volume 20 , Issue 6 , July 2014 , pp. 642 - 651
Copyright
Copyright © The International Neuropsychological Society 2014 

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