Creating Spanish language tests for brain function assessment
Official title: Development of Culturally Appropriate Spanish Language Tests for Neuropsychological Assessment and Brain Mapping
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11005313 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on creating better brain tests in Spanish to help Spanish-speaking patients, especially those with epilepsy, communicate and understand their condition more clearly.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $582,963 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS130838-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11005313 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Spanish-speaking individuals, including bilingual patients, who are being evaluated for epilepsy surgery.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not speak Spanish or are not bilingual may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing culturally appropriate neuropsychological tests in Spanish to assess naming abilities, which are crucial for communication and cognitive function. It aims to address the disparities in care for Spanish-speaking patients, particularly those undergoing epilepsy surgery, by providing accurate diagnostic tools that reflect their language needs. The methodology includes enhancing existing assessment techniques to ensure they are valid and reliable for bilingual patients, thereby improving clinical outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate diagnoses and better treatment outcomes for Spanish-speaking patients with epilepsy.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in developing language-specific assessments, indicating that culturally tailored approaches can improve diagnostic accuracy.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hamberger, Marla J — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Hamberger, Marla J
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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.