Big data and biomedical informatics: Preparing for the modernization of clinical neuropsychology

Neuropsychology is poised for a fundamental shift as we modernize the ways in which behavior is measured. The amount and complexity of data generated by these new methods will be several orders of magnitude greater than what is currently created by analog measures and will quickly adopt characteristics of "Big Data." Adequate preparation for managing the influx of data will be critical for technology integration and modernization to be successful. Drawing from information technology, mathematics, statistics, computer science, and engineering, as well as, biology, genetics, and medicine, the field of biomedical informatics has rapidly evolved from its early days in computational biology to a burgeoning independent discipline that has much to offer neuropsychology.

Following a critical review of the relevant literature, the present article (1) provides an introductory overview of biomedical informatics and how these concepts are relevant to neuropsychology; (2) describes how biomedical informatics applications can be utilized to leverage existing data sources more effectively; and (3) discusses ideas for future developments designed to facilitate integration of new data derived from novel, technologically driven measurement tools. Within this context, applications intended for use by both the individual neuropsychologist to increase clinical efficiencies, as well as, larger field-wide initiatives intended to generate new information and derive new knowledge are discussed.

By no means a comprehensive review of biomedical informatics, the present paper highlights that our approach to data needs to become a multidisciplinary endeavor in order to develop applications capable of effectively utilizing modern data sources.