20th Annual AACN Conference and Workshops of the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology (AACN), June 22-25, 2022

Abstract

and H. Stricker, Ph.D., ABPP Biomarkers have changed the landscape of alzheimer’s disease (aD) research and now have direct relevance for who may be eligible for current and forthcoming aD therapeutics. This workshop will review alzheimer’s disease (aD) biomarkers, with a focus on traditional imaging and CsF biomarkers and the projected impact of plasma biomarkers on clinical trials and practice. Mri classification of amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (aria) will also be reviewed. The status of disease-modifying therapies for aD will be discussed, including drugs that were approved and those that may be on the verge of being approved. aD biomarkers and emerging aD therapeutics will also impact neuropsychology. We will highlight considerations for normative data, the use of composite scores in the clinic, how we think about the diagnostic accuracy of neuropsychological measures, and how digital cognitive measures are needed to help with increased demand for and equitable access to cognitive screening and monitoring. ABSTRACT This workshop will focus on typical and atypical neurodevelopment in infants and young children, first examined through the results and challenges faced by developmental neuroimaging researchers, and then by an exploration of the myriad socio-contextual factors that impact developmental and pediatric assessment in the united states and globally. our understanding of what is known about early cortical organization and hemispheric specialization will be discussed. The speakers will then focus on current practice and challenges in assessing typical and atypical development in the united states and in low and lower middle-income countries (lMiCs). The workshop will address the impact of socio-demographic and socio-cultural factors in pediatric assessment. We will discuss the need for population-based assessment methods in global health, and common neurodevelopmental insults and their impact on young children living in poverty. preliminary findings from: (1) a longitudinal, multisite study of a new early childhood development measure, pediaTrac; (2) a large cohort of infants and young children who have sustained inflicted traumatic brain injuries; and (3) assessment of neurodevelopment in a large cohort of infants and young children in rural guatemala will be discussed. evaluate examinees with claims of posttraumatic disorder (pTsD) and traumatic brain injury (TBi) arising from a single precipitating (e.g. motor vehicle accident, participation in combat). in the current workshop, clinical neuropsychologist and clinical integrated overview of the various complexities that accompany these “combined” claims. The presenters will provide a review of contemporary diagnostic criteria for pTsD and TBi and highlight certain parallels and differences that exist with regard to the abnormalities in serum studies can be associated with changes in mental status and cognition. some relationships have been clearly demonstrated, such as some electrolyte abnormalities and development of delirium. other serum studies provide markers of non-brain organ dysfunction that can increase risk for cognitive change although a relationship between the finding and cognitive functioning is less clear. although neuropsychologists are not physicians, it is important for us to be knowledgeable of such conditions as we conceptualize cases and offer diagnoses and recommendations. This talk will discuss common lab values that are associated with cognitive change and information that can be helpful for neuropsychologists. particular focus will be on electrolytes, non-electrolytes, vitamins, and lab values associated with kidney and liver function. is by continued neurodevelopment, including refinements in network connectivity. These refinements involve neural circuits that regulate executive functions, which improve steadily through adolescence, as well as those that mediate reward sensitivity, which appears to peak in mid-to-late adolescence. peaks in reward sensitivity create challenges for developing executive systems, because control is difficult to achieve when motivations are highly salient. Moreover, environmental experiences, if sufficiently intense, can alter maturational trajectories. one such experience is substance use. executive control as well as motivational processes are impaired in the context of active substance use disorder. neural circuitry is also impacted. But whether deviations consistently emerge as a consequence of subclinical levels of use, or use that begins at early ages, is debated. This talk will review recent findings that address these dynamics, including those gleaned from large-scale longitudinal studies such as the nih-funded adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (aBCD) study. an overview of the (aBpp) and american Board of Clinical neuropsychology (aBCn) Maintenance of Certification (MoC) process. The presentation will provide a summary of “MoC basics,” including MoC requirements and timelines for application submissions. a MoC application exercise (“mock MoC”) will be presented to showcase the electronic MoC application and to illustrate the array of professional activities that an applicant may cite in support of the successful MoC application. a primary aim of the presentation is to emphasize that MoC is noT a process of aBCn reexamination or completion of any formal testing, but rather a systematic process of documenting one’s routine professional activities in neuropsychology that serve to maintain competence, including competence serving culturally, ethnically, racially, and linguistically diverse populations, over the course of one’s career. 13. Breaking the Mold: Practice Development, Promotion, and Marketing ABPP and PsyD, ABPP presentations on the business of neuropsychology typically focus on reacting to billing, coding, reimbursement, health care reform, and other health policy and regulatory changes. This interactive workshop looks to break the mold of prior presentations by focusing on a proactive approach to managing a practice in neuropsychology in a way that will allow participants to grow, develop, promote, and market aspects of their practice that meet the fiscal, professional, and personal goals for them, the practitioner/person. The focus of the workshop is to help participants break out of the traditional limitations placed on neuropsychology practices, while developing their practice in a fiscally responsible, sustainable fashion, with a focus on developing a practice that reflects their passions, professional development, and work-life balance. an emphasis will be placed on targeting activities that promote positive, affirming, and diverse professional activities, while maintaining employment/ financial security within or outside traditional settings. Preparing for the ABPP Board Certification Examination in Clinical Neuropsychology: Everything You Wanted to Know but Didn’t Know Who to Ask – Policies Procedures (Session ABPP, and ABPP board certification in Clinical neuropsychology through the american Board of Clinical neuropsychology (aBCn) for all practicing and teaching clinical neuropsychologists is a major goal of the american academy of Clinical neuropsychology (aaCn). This includes clinical neuropsychologists who work with children, as well as those who work with adults. This workshop is designed to familiarize the potential candidate with the policies and procedures of the aBCn examination and to provide advice on study and preparation. session 1 reviews the history and development of board certification in neuropsychology, current policies and procedures for the board examination, and the process of examination. participants will be introduced to the extensive resources available to help candidates prepare for the exam and will learn tips for success during each of the phases. This session will also board Clinical Clinical for all practicing and teaching clinical is a major goal of the american academy of Clinical neuropsychology (aaCn). This includes clinical neuropsychologists who work with children, as well as those who work with adults. This workshop is designed to introduce participants to the practice sample defense part of the oral examination for board certification. participants will have the opportunity to observe simulations of this portion of the oral exam. The instructors will provide feedback on a single clinical case report (appropriately blinded and without raw data) to all participants wishing to have a mock practice sample reviewed. To be reviewed, the single case report must be submitted by May 20, 2022 via a web link that will be provided at registration. The coronavirus 19 (CoViD-19) pandemic resulted in educational disruption of historic extent. interim data from early reports on standardized assessment data and preliminary studies on academic gains reveal grave concerns about unintended effects of prolonged educational and school services disruption. We identify ten major themes emerging from early data, most pressingly the increase in educational, psychosocial and physical disparities for those most at risk even before the pandemic: students of color, students with disabilities, english learners, and students from low-income households. The significant challenges to evaluation and diagnosis of learning disabilities will be addressed. This workshop will also highlight concerns about reliance on normative data and development of academic recovery programs. Clinical practice considerations will be presented, as well. While it may seem that there are enormous challenges facing neuropsychologists, we should remember all that we have accomplished as a profession and as an organization. in fact, the development and growth of the aaCn has been spurred by necessity and opportunity. This session will review the academy’s history in meeting past challenges, and highlight the enduring resources marshalled by the aaCn and its members. We will then