title: Reliability and validity of composite scores from the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery in adults.
abstract: This study describes psychometric properties of the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery (NIHTB-CB) Composite Scores in an adult sample. The NIHTB-CB was designed for use in epidemiologic studies and clinical trials for ages 3 to 85. A total of 268 self-described healthy adults were recruited at four university-based sites, using stratified sampling guidelines to target demographic variability for age (20-85 years), gender, education, and ethnicity. The NIHTB-CB contains seven computer-based instruments assessing five cognitive sub-domains: Language, Executive Function, Episodic Memory, Processing Speed, and Working Memory. Participants completed the NIHTB-CB, corresponding gold standard validation measures selected to tap the same cognitive abilities, and sociodemographic questionnaires. Three Composite Scores were derived for both the NIHTB-CB and gold standard batteries: "Crystallized Cognition Composite," "Fluid Cognition Composite," and "Total Cognition Composite" scores. NIHTB Composite Scores showed acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's alphas=0.84 Crystallized, 0.83 Fluid, 0.77 Total), excellent test-retest reliability (r: 0.86-0.92), strong convergent (r: 0.78-0.90) and discriminant (r: 0.19-0.39) validities versus gold standard composites, and expected age effects (r=0.18 crystallized, r=-0.68 fluid, r=-0.26 total). Significant relationships with self-reported prior school difficulties and current health status, employment, and presence of a disability provided evidence of external validity. The NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery Composite Scores have excellent reliability and validity, suggesting they can be used effectively in epidemiologic and clinical studies.
authors: 1Department of Psychiatry,University of California,San Diego,California.
authors: Robert K
authors: RK
authors: Heaton
authors: 1Department of Psychiatry,University of California,San Diego,California.
authors: Natacha
authors: N
authors: Akshoomoff
authors: 2Departments of Rehabilitation Medicine,Orthopedic Surgery, and General Medicine,New York University Langone Medical Center,New York; and Spinal Cord Injury,Kessler Foundation,West Orange,New Jersey.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Tulsky
authors: 3Department of Neurology,University of California,Davis,California.
authors: Dan
authors: D
authors: Mungas
authors: 4Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine,Chicago,Illinois.
authors: Sandra
authors: S
authors: Weintraub
authors: 5Department of Rehabilitation Medicine,University of Washington,Seattle,Washington.
authors: Sureyya
authors: S
authors: Dikmen
authors: 6Department of Medical Social Sciences,Northwestern University,Chicago,Illinois.
authors: Jennifer
authors: J
authors: Beaumont
authors: 7San Diego State University/University of California,San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology,San Diego,California.
authors: Kaitlin B
authors: KB
authors: Casaletto
authors: 8National Institute on Drug Abuse,Rockville,Maryland.
authors: Kevin
authors: K
authors: Conway
authors: 6Department of Medical Social Sciences,Northwestern University,Chicago,Illinois.
authors: Jerry
authors: J
authors: Slotkin
authors: 6Department of Medical Social Sciences,Northwestern University,Chicago,Illinois.
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: Gershon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D061212:Memory, Episodic; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D008875:Middle Aged; D009316:National Institutes of Health (U.S.) / Q000592:standards*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000592:standards; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D011930:Reaction Time; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult