Introduction to the Neuropsychological Norms for the US-Mexico Border Region in Spanish (NP-NUMBRS) Project

Abstract

Objective

The present introduction to the Neuropsychological Norms for the U.S.-Mexico Border Region in Spanish (NP-NUMBRS) project aims to provide an overview of the conceptual framework and rationale that guided the development of this project.

Methods

We describe important aspects of our conceptual framework, which was guided by some of the main purposes of neuropsychological testing, including the identification of underlying brain dysfunction, and the characterization of cognitive strengths and weakness relevant to everyday functioning. We also provide our rationale for focusing this norm development project on Spanish-speakers in the United States, and provide an outline of the articles included in this Special Issue focused on the NP-NUMBRS project.

Conclusions

The data presented in this Special Issue represent an important tool for clinicians and researchers working in the neuropsychological assessment of Spanish-speakers in the United States.

Keywords:

• Hispanic
• Latino
• cognition

Acknowledgements

The NP-NUMBRS team wishes to acknowledge Dr. Robert K. Heaton and Dr. Lidia Artiola i Fortuny for seeing the importance of this work and having the vision to collect the normative data presented in this special issue.

Disclosure statement

In accordance with Taylor & Francis policy and ethical obligation as a researcher, Dr. Heaton is reporting that he receives royalties from the publisher of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test-64 item, which is one of the tests included in this norming study.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (P30MH62512, R01MH064907, R01MH57266, K23MH105297, P30AG059299) and the UCSD Hispanic Center of Excellence (funded by the Health Resources & Services Administration grant D34HP31027).