Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology Advance Access originally published online on September 18, 2009
Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology 2009 24(7):711-717; doi:10.1093/arclin/acp063
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Is the N-Back Task a Valid Neuropsychological Measure for Assessing Working Memory?
a Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, FL, USA
b McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, FL, USA
c Department of Anesthesiology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, FL, USA
d Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Florida, FL, USA
e Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, FL, USA
f Department of Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, University of Florida, FL, USA
g Duke University School of Medicine, NC, USA
* Corresponding author at: VA Northern California Health Care System, Mental Health Unit (116), 150 Muir Road, Martinez, CA 94553, USA. Tel.: +1-925-372-2000; fax: +1-925-372-2830. E-mail address: Kimberly.Miller9{at}va.gov (K.M. Miller).
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Abstract |
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The n-back is a putative working memory task frequently used in neuroimaging research; however, literature addressing n-back use in clinical neuropsychological evaluation is sparse. We examined convergent validity of the n-back with an established measure of working memory, digit span backward. The relationship between n-back performance and scores on measures of processing speed was also examined, as was the ability of the n-back to detect potential between-groups differences in control and Parkinson's disease (PD) groups. Results revealed no correlation between n-back performance and digit span backward. N-back accuracy significantly correlated with a measure of processing speed (Trail Making Test Part A) at the 2-back load. Relative to controls, PD patients performed less accurately on the n-back and showed a trend toward slower reaction times, but did not differ on any of the neuropsychological measures. Results suggest the n-back is not a pure measure of working memory, but may be able to detect subtle differences in cognitive functioning between PD patients and controls.
Keywords Working memory; Executive function; Information processing speed; Parkinson's disease; Neuropsychology
Accepted: August 17, 2009