Special Department Talk (replaces BBC talk)- High-Frequency Digital Cognitive Assessments in Aging and Dementia Studies

Abstract: Cognition is a non-stationary process. Variability in cognition is systematic—it can change depending on mood, arousal, time of day, and social context. In conventional cognitive assessments, we focus on measuring optimal performance under ideal conditions and typically do not (or cannot) assess cognition in different contexts. But these short-term cognitive dynamics are meaningful and may reveal risk for long-term changes. In a series of ongoing studies, we use digital cognitive assessments to measure cognition in the everyday lives of participants who are at risk for or currently experiencing cognitive decline due to Alzheimer’s disease. I will discuss results from these studies, address some vexing methodological issues in remote assessment, and highlight future projects that expand the use of digital cognition in aging and dementia studies.