Item-Level Scoring of Memory Tests as an Approach to Detect and Study Abnormal Cognitive Ageing
Although considerable progress has been made over the last few years in diagnosing neurodegenerative conditions, a number of challenges still exist. One of these is defining valid and easy-to-implement routines that allow disease detection at the earliest stage possible, ideally before the onset of symptoms.
Neuropsychological tests are of crucial importance in diagnosing these conditions, but ordinary test scores have significant limitations, as they are typically influenced by a range of abilities and have numerical constraints.
It is for this purpose that item-level test scores have been introduced: instead of scoring test performance as a whole, each test item is scored separately to characterise performance in more detail. These indices offer a significant opportunity to define objective measures of abnormal cognitive mechanisms.
In this project, the student will focus on a large database of test scores and will design and test novel item-level test scores sensitive to clinical neurodegeneration.
How to apply
If you are interested in applying for the above PhD topic please follow the steps below:
- Contact the supervisor by email or phone to discuss your interest and find out if you would be suitable. Supervisor details can be found on this topic page. The supervisor will guide you in developing the topic-specific research proposal, which will form part of your application.
- Click on the 'Apply here' button on this page and you will be taken to the relevant PhD course page, where you can apply using an online application.
- Complete the online application indicating your selected supervisor and include the research proposal for the topic you have selected.
Good luck!
This is a self funded topic
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Meet the Supervisor(s)
Matteo De Marco - I work as lecturer within the Division of Psychology, contributing to teaching and research activities.
I am part of the Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience (CCN) and my area of research is the study of cognitive functioning (semantic memory in particular) in ageing and early-stage neurodegeneration.