New measures to detect malingered neurocognitive deficit: Applying reaction time and event-related potentials

Abstract

The ability of the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM), reaction times (RTs), and event-related potentials (ERPs) to detect malingered neurocognitive deficit (MNCD) was examined in 32 normal individuals answering under honest (HON; n = 16) or malingering (MAL; n = 16) instructions as well as in 15 patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) who answered under honest instructions. Overall, the TOMM was the most effective at classifying groups. However, new accuracy, RT, and ERP measures reached promising hit rates in the range of 71–88%. In particular, the difference in frontal versus posterior ERP obtained during an old–new task was effective at classifying MAL versus TBI (hit rate = 87%).

Keywords:

• Electroencephalography
• Event-related potential
• Malingered neurocognitive deficit
• Memory malingering
• Traumatic brain injury

The paper is based on V. L. Vagnini's PhD dissertation in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the University of Kentucky. This research was supported in part by the American Forensic Academy for dissertation award funds, the Pilot fund of Behavioral Science Department at the University of Kentucky to VLV, and National Institutes of Health (NIH) Grant AG00986 to YJ.