The Neuropsychological Norms for the U.S.-Mexico Border Region in Spanish (NP-NUMBRS) Project: Overview and considerations for life span research and evidence-based practice. Issue 2 (6th February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rivera Mindt, Monica; Marquine, María J.; Aghvinian, Maral; Paredes, Alejandra Morlett; Kamalyan, Lily; Suárez, Paola; Heaton, Anne; Scott, Travis M.; Gooding, Amanda; Diaz-Santos, Mirella; Umlauf, Anya; Taylor, Michael J.; Artiola i Fortuny, Lidia; Heaton, Robert K.; Cherner, Mariana
• Is Part Of: Clinical neuropsychologist. Volume 35:Issue 2(2021)
• Page Start: 466
• Page End: 480
• Publication Date: 2021-02-06
• Subjects: Spanish-speakers -- cultural neuropsychology -- Latina/o -- norms -- demographic adjustments; Neuropsychology -- Periodicals; Neuropsychology -- Periodicals; Mental Disorders -- Periodicals; 612.805
• DOI: 10.1080/13854046.2020.1794046
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1385-4046

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: This paper summarizes the findings of the Neuropsychological Norms for the U.S.-Mexico Border Region in Spanish (NP-NUMBRS) Project and offers a roadmap for future research. Methods: The NP-NUMBRS project represents the largest and most comprehensive co-normed neuropsychological battery to date for native Spanish-speaking healthy adults from the U.S. (California/Arizona)-Mexico borderland region ( N = 254; ages 19–60 years). These norms provide demographic adjustments for tests across numerous domains (i.e., verbal fluency, processing speed, attention/working memory, executive function, episodic memory [learning and delayed recall], visuospatial, and fine motor skills). Conclusions: This project: 1) shows that the NP-NUMBRS norms consistently outperformed previously published norms for English-speaking non-Hispanic (White and African-American) adults in identifying impairment; 2) explores the role of Spanish-English bilingualism in test performance; and 3) provides support for the diagnostic validity of these norms in detecting HIV-associated neurocognitive impairment. Study limitations include the limited assessment of sociocultural variables and generalizability (e.g., other Latina/o populations, age limit [19 − 60 years]). Future research is needed to: 1) investigate these norms with U.S.-dwelling Spanish-speakers of non-Mexican heritage and other clinical subpopulations; 2) expand coverage of cognitive domains (e.g. language, visuospatial); 3) develop large normative datasets for children and older Latina/o populations; 4) examine how sociocultural factors impact performance (e.g., bilingualism, acculturation); 5) investigate these norms' diagnostic and ecological validity; and 6) develop norms for neurocognitive change across time. It is hoped that the NP-NUMBRS norms will aid researchers and clinicians working with U.S.-dwelling Spanish-speakers from the U.S.-Mexico borderland to conduct research and evidence-based neuropsychological evaluations in a more culturally responsive and ethical manner.