Adaptive computerized test for memory, thinking, and attention
Official title: Adaptive Testing of Cognitive Function based on multi-dimensional Item Response Theory
Funded at University of Chicago · NIH-11307617 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project builds a short, computer-based test for adults that measures memory, language, attention, processing speed, and reasoning to help spot early changes in thinking.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2025 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $823,892 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG084070-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11307617 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults aged 21 and older who are concerned about memory or thinking changes, at risk for Alzheimer’s disease, or willing to participate in cognitive testing are ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People who cannot use a computer or who need a full traditional neuropsychological evaluation (for example due to complex medical issues or severe sensory/motor impairments) may not benefit from this brief computerized test.
What this research studies
You would take a brief, adaptive computer test that changes which questions you get based on your earlier answers so the test is fast and tailored to you. The test will measure overall thinking ability plus five specific areas: episodic memory, language/semantic memory, processing speed, attention/working memory, and flexible thinking/reasoning. Researchers will create a large bank of questions and use modern statistical models to choose the most informative items so people can be retested over time without repeating the same questions. The test is being designed to work in clinic settings or remotely so it could fit into regular care or home monitoring.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could make it easier to detect subtle cognitive decline earlier and monitor changes over time with a quick, repeatable test.
How similar studies have gone: Computerized adaptive testing has worked well for other health measures and some cognitive tools exist, but applying multidimensional item response methods to create a repeatable, comprehensive cognitive CAT for Alzheimer detection is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gibbons, Robert D — University of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Gibbons, Robert D
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.