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How technology is reshaping cognitive assessment: Lessons from the Framingham Heart Study
Au R, Piers RJ, Devine S.. Neuropsychology, 2017-11-01
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
Objective This article elucidates how the Boston process approach (BPA) can amplify the role of neuropsychology in the study of preclinical and clinical dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease (AD), and how advancements in technology expand BPA capacity objectively and exponentially. Method The BPA is based on a conceptualization of cognition as being comprised of multiple processes, the nature of which could not possibly be captured by a single score on a test or battery of tests. Identification of these processes is only possible with careful observation of an individual during the entire testing process to determine how, when, and why a person fails, which helps to reveal the integrity of the cognitive processes underlying the behavior. Results BPA use within the Framingham Heart Study is described, including how digital technology has been incorporated to enhance the sensitivity of BPA to detect insidious onset changes even earlier than had been previously possible. The digital technology movement will dramatically alter the means by which cognitive function is assessed going forward. Conclusions Technological advances will catalyze groundbreaking discoveries for effective treatments of neurodegenerative cognitive disorders, such as AD, and inform novel strategies for dementia prevention and sustained lifelong cognitive health. (PsycINFO Database Record
Key findings
- Results BPA use within the Framingham Heart Study is described, including how digital technology has been incorporated to enhance the sensitivity of BPA to detect insidious onset changes even earlier than had been previously possible.
Why it matters
This article describes how digital technology can enhance the Boston process approach to cognitive assessment within the Framingham Heart Study to detect insidious onset changes earlier. It concerns assessment and detection, not treating, curing or preventing Alzheimer's disease.
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Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 39/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Neuropsychology) |
| Journal's citation record | 2 / 4 | Neuropsychology: journal h-index 183 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 2 / 5 | 2017 — within 10 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 4 / 7 | Cited 49 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 2 / 5 | 4.5 citations a year over 11 year(s) since 2017 |
| Impact for its field and year | 3 / 6 | Cited 3.2× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 2 / 6 | Cited by 3 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 1 / 4 | Cited 10 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 2 / 4 | Last-listed author Sherral Devine: h-index 23 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 1 / 3 | Boston University: institution h-index 1,456 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 0 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 1 institution(s) in 1 country — scores zero (affiliation lists can be incomplete) |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 29376667) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 39 / 100 | — |
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Read the original
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Au, R., Piers, R. J., & Devine, S. (2017). How technology is reshaping cognitive assessment: Lessons from the Framingham Heart Study. Neuropsychology. https://doi.org/10.1037/neu0000411
Vancouver
Au R, Piers RJ, Devine S. How technology is reshaping cognitive assessment: Lessons from the Framingham Heart Study. Neuropsychology. 2017. doi:10.1037/neu0000411. PMID: 29376667.
BibTeX
@article{au2017-29376667,
author = {Au, R. and Piers, R. J. and Devine, S.},
title = {{How technology is reshaping cognitive assessment: Lessons from the Framingham Heart Study}},
journal = {Neuropsychology},
year = {2017},
doi = {10.1037/neu0000411},
pmid = {29376667},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1037/neu0000411}
}
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