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Precision neurocognition: An emerging diagnostic paradigm leveraging digital cognitive assessment technology
David J. Libon, Rodney A. Swenson, Dianne Langford, Stephanie Cosentino, Catherine C. Price, Melissa Lamar, Sheina Emrani, Rhoda Au et al.. Journal of Alzheimer s Disease, 2025-04-22
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
is a heuristic that seeks to develop methodologies capable of identifying subtle behavior(s) that may flag emerging AD and other dementia related syndromes. Recent research suggests that digital neuropsychological assessment technology may be the platform that can realize the goals of precision neurocognition, i.e., the early detection of neurocognitive difficulties that are prognostic for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia. Past research associating 100% correct or statistically within normal limits responding using neuropsychological tests with time-based parameters obtained while participants undergo assessment is reviewed. Recent research with community dwelling and memory clinic participants examined test scores obtained using commonly available neuropsychological tests. This research extracted a number of discrete latency measures that clearly dissociate between groups, despite final test scores that are either 100% correct or statistically within normal limits. In sum, past research using digitally administered neuropsychological tests suggests that the goals of precision neurocognition as related to the early identification of neurodegenerative illness may be realized via an analysis of time derived, process-based behavior using digital assessment technology. Latency or time-based parameters as described in recent research could form the basis of a range of neurocognitive biomarkers for identifying people at risk for developing AD, other dementing disorders, and MCI.
Key findings
- Recent research suggests that digital neuropsychological assessment technology may be the platform that can realize the goals of precision neurocognition, i.e., the early detection of neurocognitive difficulties that are prognostic for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia.
- In sum, past research using digitally administered neuropsychological tests suggests that the goals of precision neurocognition as related to the early identification of neurodegenerative illness may be realized via an analysis of time derived, process-based behavior using digital assessment technology.
Why it matters
This paper proposes that digital neuropsychological assessment, by analysing time-based measures, may help detect early cognitive difficulties that are prognostic for mild cognitive impairment and dementia. It is about early detection and does not report any treatment, cure or prevention.
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Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 41/100
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 (Journal of Alzheimer s Disease) |
| Journal's citation record | 2 / 4 | Journal of Alzheimer s Disease: journal h-index 218 (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 | 4 / 5 | 2025 — within 3 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 | 2 / 7 | Cited 9 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 2 / 5 | 3.0 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025 |
| Impact for its field and year | 3 / 6 | Cited 5.7× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 1 / 6 | Cited by 1 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 1 / 4 | Cited 9 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 1 / 4 | Last-listed author Louisa I. Thompson: h-index 14 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 2 / 3 | University of Pennsylvania: institution h-index 1,859 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 3 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 13 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 40262110) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 41 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
May need a subscription OpenAlex found no free copy of the full text (checked 6 Feb 1020), so the publisher may charge for it. The PubMed abstract is free.
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. The record's author list ends in “et al.”, so not every author is named. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Libon, D. J., Swenson, R. A., Langford, D., Cosentino, S., Price, C. C., Lamar, M., et al. (2025). Precision neurocognition: An emerging diagnostic paradigm leveraging digital cognitive assessment technology. Journal of Alzheimer s Disease. https://doi.org/10.1177/13872877251325725
Vancouver
Libon DJ, Swenson RA, Langford D, Cosentino S, Price CC, Lamar M, et al. Precision neurocognition: An emerging diagnostic paradigm leveraging digital cognitive assessment technology. Journal of Alzheimer s Disease. 2025. doi:10.1177/13872877251325725. PMID: 40262110.
BibTeX
@article{libon2025-40262110,
author = {Libon, David J. and Swenson, Rodney A. and Langford, Dianne and Cosentino, Stephanie and Price, Catherine C. and Lamar, Melissa and Emrani, Sheina and Au, Rhoda and others},
title = {{Precision neurocognition: An emerging diagnostic paradigm leveraging digital cognitive assessment technology}},
journal = {Journal of Alzheimer s Disease},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.1177/13872877251325725},
pmid = {40262110},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1177/13872877251325725}
}
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