# Modality specific naming assessment across the age span

> **NIH NIH R03** · COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES · 2020 · $81,000

## Abstract

Project Summary
The ability to produce the correct words while speaking is critical for social, academic and occupational
functioning. Unfortunately, word finding or “naming” can become impaired in a number of neurological
disorders involving cortical function, and thus, naming assessment is an integral component of
neuropsychological evaluation. As naming is mediated by the temporal lobe region, naming assessment plays
a critical role in the evaluation of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) patients. Our initial work in this area addressed
multiple shortcomings in naming assessment in epilepsy, which historically, was limited to visual object
naming. Through cortical mapping, we found a dissociation between cortical areas that support naming based
on visual versus auditory cues. In line with this, the auditory naming and complementary visual naming tests
we developed and standardized (published in 2003) were found to assist in lateralizing and localizing cortical
dysfunction associated with seizure onset, thereby aiding the presurgical evaluation for refractory epilepsy
patients. Based on this initial work, we developed and standardized pediatric versions of these measures, and
will soon complete standardization of auditory and complementary visual naming tests for older adults, ages
56-95. Importantly, the original tests which included only adults up to age 55, did not adequately consider
longevity of the stimuli, and the normative data were limited. We continue to receive numerous requests for
these tests; however, the original tests are not up to current standards, leaving a critical gap in high quality
naming assessment for ages 16-55, when the vast majority of epilepsy surgeries are performed. Based on
years of experience with the original measures, the pediatric and older-adult naming tests are vastly improved
with regard to psychometric properties and normative data. The stimuli in the older-adults tests are also very
well-suited for adolescents and younger adults. Capitalizing on our laboratory infrastructure and experience,
the proposed project will upgrade the tests and normative data to current standards for ages 16-55, and
validate these measures in left (dominant) and right TLE patients, enabling continued use of auditory and
visual naming in younger adults with epilepsy, earlier detection of language decline in the context of
degenerative processes, and more generally, provide high quality naming assessment for adolescence through
late adulthood for any neurocognitive disorder.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9906286
- **Project number:** 5R03NS111180-02
- **Recipient organization:** COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES
- **Principal Investigator:** MARLA J HAMBERGER
- **Activity code:** R03 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $81,000
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-04-15 → 2022-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9906286

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9906286, Modality specific naming assessment across the age span (5R03NS111180-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9906286. Licensed CC0.

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