Introducing BRAINscreen: web-based real-time examination and interpretation of cognitive function

Psychometrically sound screening of cognitive functioning can be advantageous in identifying persons most likely at risk for some specified condition or in need of further diagnostic study, and where brevity is required-whether because of the press of patients who may benefit from an assessment or because the patient's condition may preclude a lengthy assessment (Lezak, Howieson, & Loring, 2004 ). Moreover, computerized screening can improve access for underserved patients, who by virtue of economic, socioeconomic, geographical, logistical, or cultural reasons are not referred for, or cannot access, needed services (Bauer et al., 2012 ). With these provisos in mind, we set out to examine the psychometric properties of a Web-based real-time examination of cognitive functioning called BRAINscreen. The present study demonstrates how the measure was developed, its technical properties and features, the normative sample from which prospective performance is compared, and the relationship between accuracy of performance and reaction time on BRAINscreen test items across stratified age and education groups along with differential sensitivity of the test between healthy controls and various clinical populations. The present findings demonstrate that BRAINscreen may be a reliable and valid screening measure of cognitive functioning.