Research Projects
A Cognitive Test Battery for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities
(IRBnet ID 698133-6)
Principal Investigator: Dr. Karen Riley
Purpose of Study:
The purpose of this study is to validate the NIH-Toolbox Cognition Battery (NIH-TCB) for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Individuals with Fragile X Syndrome and other intellectual disabilities are often asked to participate in cognitive assessments for individualized program planning or to identify changes in cognition due to medications. Many of the current cognitive assessments do not take into account the small changes that may occur over the course of time. We are testing the NIH-TCB to see if it is sensitive to these small changes and to evaluate if this is a useful tool for individuals with Fragile X Syndrome and other diagnoses associated with intellectual disabilities. The institutions participating in this study include the University of Denver, University of California-Davis, Rush University, and Northwestern University. The projected end date for this study is 2025.
Project Aims:
- To validate the NIH-TCB, including measures of executive function, episodic memory, working memory, processing speed, attention, and language, for individuals with ID, and modify it where necessary to meet the needs of this population.
- To examine the sensitivity of the NIH-TCB to detect clinically meaningful differences in persons with ID, including detection of expected syndrome-specific cognitive phenotypes.
- To examine the validity of the NIH-TCB composite scores in ID groups compared with the established composites in general population controls, and to compare their psychometric properties to analogous gold standard measures of general intelligence.
- To examine the sensitivity of the NIH-TCB to detect changes in cognition across a two-year period of development.
Get Involved
If you or someone you know is interested in participating, recruitment flyers are available below.
- Down Syndrome Study: Now Recruiting Research Participants (PDF)
- Fragile X Syndrome Study: Now Recruiting Research Participants (PDF)
- Intellectual & Developmental Disability Study: Now Recruiting Research Particip…
For This Study We Are Seeking:
- Individuals with Fragile X Syndrome or Down Syndrome between the ages of 4 and 25
- Individuals who are able to talk in short phrases or sentences
For More Information, Please Contact:
Grant Coordinator | Dr. Jeanine Coleman
jeanine.coleman@du.edu or 303.871.2496