https://news.ual.es/ciencia/el-programa-en-salud-psicologia-y-psiquiatria-muestra-la-calidad-y-el-interes-de-los-doctorados-ofertados-por-la-ual/

An article published in Frontiers in Psychology on the topic "

From 2D to 4D: New Approaches to Neurocognitive Assessment of Cognitive and Functional Capacities" 

paves the way to consider how to take the best of a process-based approach to neuropsychological assessment with the newest technologies, including Virtual-reality based assessments. It can be fully accessed here:  https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00361/full 

Earlier this month, the article entitled "Features and psychometric properties of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment: Review and proposal of a process-based approach version (MoCA-PA)" has been published online in Applied Neuropsychology: Adult. This article, co-authored by Dr. Alberto Blanco-Campal, Dr. Unai Diaz-Orueta, Dr. Ana Belen Navarro-Prados, Prof. Teresa Burke, Dr. David J Libon and Dr. Melissa Lamar, revises and modifies the standard version of the test and helps the reader to acknowledge the benefits and the added value of the information obtained from the test, in more or less the same amount of time, using a process-based approach versus an approach based on paying attention just to total scores and cut-points. The article can be accessed online here:  https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23279095.2019.1681996

On the 12th April 2019, a course entitled 'Neuropsychology in Mental Health’ was held in St. Joan de Deu Hospital in Barcelona, Spain. Coordinated by Dr. Gemma Escartin, Dr. Diaz-Orueta,  Dr. Iria Grande and Dr. Brisa Solé developed the course to a highly interested professional audience. 

Dr. Unai Diaz-Orueta talked about the process-based approach on this conference entitled "Technological developments in neuropsychological assessment and rehabilitation: computerized and virtual reality based tools". More specifically, he presented how computerized and VR based neuropsychological assessment can be further improved if developments integrate a process-based approach to neuropsychological assessment.

Neuropsychological Assessment of Older People: the relevance of a process-based approach.

This is the title of the 4-hour workshop delivered by Dr. Unai Diaz-Orueta at his academic homeland, that is, the University of Deusto in Bilbao (Basque Country), Spain.

With a broad target audience of clinical psychologists and neuropsychologists, Dr. Diaz-Orueta presented the benefits and relevance of a process-based approach, the worked developed in the E-SPACE project, the modifications performed to achieve a process-based approach version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (the new MoCA-PA), and the innovative features of the What-Which-Where Test, developed by Prof. Teresa Burke, for the assessment of visual and spatial memory. 

Dr. Unai Diaz-Orueta, together with Dr. Javier Oltra-Cucarella and Dr. Iban Onandia-Hinchado, developed the Summer Course entitled "Ageing and Cognitive Decline: Future challenge, current challenge" for the University of the Basque Country Summer Course Series, which took place in Bilbao (Basque Country, Spain) on the 9th and 10th July 2019. 
Dr. Diaz-Orueta participated with two lectures that debated around the advantages of the process-based approach to neuropsychological assessment.

Lecture 1. Early Diagnosis of Cognitive Decline: Advancing in Assessment Methods.

Lecture 2. New Ecological Instruments for the Measurement of Significant Indexes.

The great acceptance and participation in the course led to develop an online version that was delivered in March 2019.

Neuropsychological Assessment in Dementia. That is the name of the module that Dr. Unai Diaz-Orueta taught in the Masters Degree in Gerontology at the University of Salamanca (Spain), where he presented the work done in the E-SPACE Project and the advantages of a process-based approach to Neuropsychological assessment. This event took place first on 11th May 2018 and then on the 5th April 2019, with great acceptance from the students.

With the poster "Addenbrooke´s Cognitive Examination-III (ACE-III): A process-based approach version for the improvement of cognitive screening in Dementia", Prof. Teresa Burke developed the first event involving E-SPACE Project in this 2019. 

The symposium "Process-based Approach to Neuropsychological Assessment: from screening tools to
comprehensive evaluation" was leaded by Dr. Unai Diaz-Orueta and co-chaired by Dr. David J. Libon at the Mid-Year International Neuropsychological Society Meeting in Prague (Czech Republic), 19th July 2018.

After an initial introduction by Dr. Diaz-Orueta and Dr. Libon, the following papers were presented:

MoCA-Process Approach Version (MoCA-PA): Latest developments of an ‘organic’ test adding qualitative analysis to cognitive performance. 
Presenter: Dr. Alberto Blanco-Campal
Co-authors: Teresa Burke, Unai Diaz-Orueta, and Ana Belen Navarro-Prados.

MoCA-Process Approach Version (MoCA-PA): Preliminary findings in a non-clinical sample.
Presenter: Dr. Unai Diaz-Orueta
Co-authors: Ana Belen Navarro-Prados, Alberto Blanco-Campal & Teresa Burke.

Spanish adaptation of the PrVLT: a process-based approach to brief memory evaluation.
Presenter: Dr. Ana Belen Navarro-Prados
Co-authors: Unai Diaz-Orueta, Alberto Blanco-Campal, & David J. Libon

The What-Which-Where test: a process-based approach to visuospatial memory assessment.
Presenter: Prof. Teresa Burke
Co-authors: Collin Gallagher, Unai Diaz-Orueta, & Alberto Blanco-Campal.

As a summary of publications achieved over the course of the project, 2 articles in peer-reviewed journals have been published:

Diaz-Orueta, U., Blanco-Campal, A., & Burke, T. (2018). Rapid review of cognitive screening instruments in MCI: proposal for a process-based approach modification of overlapping tasks in select widely used instruments. International Psychogeriatrics, 30(5), 663-672.

https://goo.gl/oMkMMZ

Diaz-Orueta, U., Blanco-Campal, A., & Burke, T. (2017). Process-based approach neuropsychological assessment: review of the evidence and proposal for improvement of dementia screening tools [Article in Spanish]. Revista de Neurología, 64(11), 514-524. 

https://www.neurologia.com/articulo/2017104

The researcher Dr. Unai Diaz-Orueta was invited as a guest lecturer to the Neurorrehabilitation Masters Degree in the University of Almeria (Spain), to deliver a lecture on Cognitive Disorders in the Older Populations: evaluation and intervention, where main content derived from the research held in the E-SPACE project in relation to the improvement of widely used cognitive screening tasks by means of a process-based approach. The lectures were held online on the 3th and 17th November 2017, and due to good reception by students, will very likely be held again in subsequent years. 

Last Friday 29th, the TCD Research Probe celebrating the European Researchers´ night included a section called Cafe Curie, where different Marie Sklodowska Curie Actions postdoctoral fellows could present their projects to their general public in a more relaxed, informal environment. Dr. Unai Díaz-Orueta presented the E-SPACE project to the interested audience in an oustanding environment where connection between the scientific community and the general public was encouraged and achieved.

Next 10th November, those who have passion for neuropsychological assessment may join us at the 47th PSI Conference in Limerick city (Ireland).

The symposium entitled "Perspectives and outcomes of a process-based approach to neuropsychological evaluation: Decreasing the uncertainty in clinical diagnosis", chaired by Dr. Unai Díaz-Orueta, co-presented by Dr. Alberto Blanco-Campal (HSE) and Prof. Teresa Burke (DCU) and with the addition of an international speaker from the University of Salamanca, Dr. Ana Belén Navarro-Prados, to the already existing E-SPACE team.

 

The papers to be presented are the following:

- Montreal Cognitive Assessment - Process-Approach (MoCA-PA) and Digits Backwards Task: Advantages and preliminary results from a Spanish-speaking older adult sample. Presenter: Dr. Unai Diaz-Orueta.

- E-SPACE battery for early detection of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and dementia: Preliminary results with an older adult clinical sample. Presenter: Prof. Teresa Burke.

- Alzheimer’s Disease and drawing through a model of retrogenesis: What drawing processes tell us about the progress of Dementia. Presenter: Dr. Ana Belen Navarro-Prados.

- Deconstructing Apraxia: The inevitability of a process approach to its clinical assessment in Dementia. Presenter: Dr. Alberto Blanco-Campal.

Come and join us this November! You will not regret it.

Last 5th September, Dr. Unai Diaz-Orueta presented an online Openclass for the Spanish Speaking community, invited by the UNIR online University (Spain). The openclass, entitled " The life cycle of neuropsychological evaluation: From Luria to Virtual Reality", presented the current status of neuropsychological evaluation and the potential benefits of merging the knowledge of a process-based approach to neuropsychological assessment and the latest technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR) developments. 

On the 14th September 2017, Dr. Unai Diaz-Orueta presented the paper Process Based Approach to Cognitive Evaluation: Beyond the Test Scores,  as part of a symposium at the 6^th Scientific Meeting of the Federation of the European Societies of Neuropsychology. Maastricht, the Netherlands. The symposium was chaired by Iban Onandia H. and co-presented by Javier Oltra-Cucarella. The website of the conference is: http://www.fesn2017.nl/ 

A collaboration has been established between the E-SPACE project team and Psychology Staff from the University of Salamanca (Dr. Ana Belén Navarro-Prados) to perform a pilot study on screening tools adapted to a process-based approach to cognitive assessment. This pilot is expected to involve 100+ Spanish speaking older individuals who will be administered Spanish versions of screening tasks modified, within the scope of the E-SPACE project, using a process-based approach to neuropsychological evaluation. First results are expected by the end of September-mid October this year.

The 2017 MCAA Conference and General Assembly was held on Friday 24^th and Saturday 25^th March 2017 in Salamanca, Spain. The host for this event was the University of Salamanca, in cooperation with the MCAA Spain/Portugal Chapter.

Dr. Unai Diaz-Orueta, MSCA Postdoctoral Fellow, had the chance to present the poster entitled "Improvement of Cognitive Screening Tests for Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and Dementia using a Process-based Approach to Neuropsychological Evaluation: The E-SPACE Project". Though the representation of psychology and other human sciences was minor at the event, there was a chance to discuss the project with interested partners.

Last 29th and 30th June, the 70th Meeting of the Catalan Society of Neuropsychology was held at the Ramon Llul University in Barcelona (Spain). The first day was devoted to workshops and the main conference was held on Friday. A workshop entitled " From paper to technology on neuropsychological assessment and intervention: A needed trip" was organised by Dr. Unai Diaz-Orueta, on the benefits of using a process-based approach to neuropsychological evaluation, with practical examples on how to get the maximum for currently widely used cognitive screening and assessment tests beyond the mere consideration of total scores; and how to include latest technologies like Virtual Reality in the goal of developing better neuropsychological tests.

On Friday 30th June, sharing stage with Gema Climent, founder of Nesplora Ltd (Spain), Dr. Unai Diaz-Orueta developed the presentation "From Luria to Virtual Reality: there and back again", enhancing the need to combine the latest technologies with the roots of Neuropsychology in Europe and the world, with Luria and Kaplan as key references for their work on a process-based approach to neuropsychological assessment.

More information about the event can be found by clicking on the image below:

The E-SPACE team participated in a symposium about the Boston Process-Approach to Neuropsychological Evaluation, sharing stage with Dr. David Libon. Dr. Melissa Lamar, Dr. Aimee Karstens and Dr. Rhoda Au. Dr. Unai Diaz-Orueta performed the presentation, entitled "The E-SPACE Project An International Expansion of the Boston Process Approach to Incorporate Error Analysis of Behaviour", focused on the advances developed within the E-SPACE project in order to successfully modify widely used screening tools like the MoCA or the ACE-III using a process-based approach to cognitive evaluation. This presentation led to an outstanding networking opportunity with Dr. Edith Kaplan's disciples and increased the visibility of the project. Initial results on these tests modifications are expected to be published during this year. INS Meeting pre-publications abstracts can be reached here: 

http://www.the-ins.org/includes/ckfinder/userfiles/files/pre-publication-abstracts-nola-2017.pdf 

The E-SPACE team will be presenting a symposium session entitled: Revisiting the Boston Process-Approach: a European Standardized Process Approach to Cognitive Evaluation of Older People.

First presentation, performed by Prof. Teresa Burke, will focus on "Revisiting the process-approach to cognitive assessment: Advantages of complementing traditional scoring with a focus on processes and strategies", with a special emphasis on the advantages of including a qualitative approach to neuropsychological evaluation without compromising standard administration procedures of cognitive tests.

Second presentation, performed by Dr. Alberto Blanco-Campal, will focus on "Latest adaptations of screening tests to a process-based approach: initial findings and advantages" with a special emphasis on the latest process-based approach adaptation of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment.

Finally, Dr. Unai Diaz-Orueta will present "Can test computerisation provide added value to a process-based approach neuropsychological assessment?" with a special emphasis on those indices and features of cognitive tasks that would clearly benefit from digitalisation.

The symposium will take place at the Stream C room of the Sheraton Athlone Hotel, on Friday 11th, from 2.00 pm to 3.30 pm. Check the final programme at: 

http://www.psychologicalsociety.ie/conference/page/download/280/Conference%20Brochure%202016%20pages%20%28prog%20for%20website%20from%20Shape%29.pdf 

The 64th Annual Meeting of the Irish Gerontological society will be hosted in Killarney from the 30th September to the 1st October. The poster entitled "Rescuing The Process Based Approach To Neuropsychological Assessment: Focus On Strategies And Performance Mechanisms Rather Than Total Scores When Assessing Older Adults" will be presented by Dr. Unai Diaz-Orueta, addressing the latest results and advances held within the E-SPACE project. A focus on practical issues about the advantages of undertaking a qualitative process based approach to neuropsychological assessment will be highlighted. 

More information about the event can be found in: http://www.irishgerontology.com/tags/igs-64th-annual-scientific-meeting-2016  

The next mid-year meeting of the International Neuropsychological Society will be held at the Park Plaza Riverbank hotel in London, UK, from the 6th to the 8th July, 2016. The process-based approach to neuropsychological assessment will be represented with 2 posters: "European Standardised Process Approach to Cognitive Evaluation in Older People: Project Overview and Preliminary Results", presented by Dr. Unai Díaz-Orueta, and "The Montreal Cognitive Assessment: A Qualitative Process Approach Version" (MoCA-QPA)", presented by Dr. Alberto Blanco-Campal; both of them supported by the Project Coordinator Prof. Teresa Burke. More details will follow in the upcoming weeks. The conference program can be consulted here: http://www.the-ins.org/includes/ckfinder/userfiles/files/Program_INS_2016_Mid-Year_London.pdf

As promised, E-SPACE project was present at the 8th National Dementia Conference as promised. Many attendants showed their interest in our project. The poster we presented can be seen below. 

In the context of the 8th National Dementia Conference in Ireland, that will be held at the Citywest Hotel in Dublin on the 16th and 17th May 2016, Dr. Unai Diaz-Orueta and Prof. Teresa Burke, Research Fellow and Project Supervisor, respectively, will present a poster on their E-SPACE project.

This poster titled: "European Standardised Process Approach to Cognitive Evaluation in Older People: An Overview" provides details of their European Commission funded research project designed to improve early detection and diagnosis of cognitive problems.

We invite all those attending the conference to visit our poster to learn more about the project and the process-based approach to neuropsychological evaluation of Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia.

More information about the 8th National Dementia Conference can be found here: http://sonasapc.ie/8th-national-dementia-conference/

Experts urge action on dementia:

Source:
http://www.alz.co.uk/news/landmark-publication-demands-long-term-committment-to-battle-dementia

More than 30 experts are urging action on Alzheimer’s and other dementias in the April volume of the Lancet Neurology Journal, released today ahead of the presentation of a landmark report to the European Parliament Commissioners in Brussels this afternoon.

The full report can be accessed here.

On April 8th, the researcher Dr. Unai Diaz-Orueta will be in Madrid (Spain) presenting a masterclass on the E-SPACE project and the features of the process-based approach for neuropsychological evaluation of dementia. The venue will be UNIR University, more specifically, at the dependencies of UNIR Supercuidadores (in English, UNIR Supercaregivers), a spin-off of UNIR university devoted to offering online resources, courses, etc., both to formal and informal caregivers.

Dr. Diaz-Orueta will teach the masterclass on the UNIR online platform on April 8th, 3.00 pm CET, with the title: "Process-based cognitive evaluation in Dementia". He will detail the advantages of a more qualitative, process-based cognitive evaluation versus traditional quantitative evaluation that relies exclusively on scores obtained in cognitive tests.

The aim of the masterclass is to show how putting the focus on processes and strategies the individual adopts when faced with cognitive tests increases the quality of information that may be obtained for a clearer diagnosis of cognitive problems. Almost certainly,  this may relate to a better understanding of how the individual faces cognitive challenges in daily life situations.

The presentation targets both professionals and caregivers (either formal or informal) who want to develop further knowledge of a more detailed approach to understanding dementia and the masterclass will include a description of E-SPACE as a research project that aims to identify and develop a number of cognitive tests to enable clinicians to improve early and accurate diagnosis.

The session will be held in Spanish. Further details can be obtained in the following links:

http://cuidadores.unir.net/masterclass/clases-en-directo/evaluacion-cognitiva-basada-en-procesos-detalle

http://cuidadores.unir.net/informacion/cuidador/cuentame-como-cuidas/711-evaluacion-cognitiva-de-las-demencias-mas-alla-de-las-puntuaciones-de-los-tests