Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology Laboratory

• 
  Laboratory Director
  Professor Stephen C Bowden

  sbowden@unimelb.edu.au

  View researcher's webpage

  +61 3 8344 6373

Research Overview

Our research examines the role of neuropsychological assessment and intervention in the management of a diverse range of neuropsychological disorders, with a focus on evidence-based practice.

Research interests:

• Clinical memory disorders
• Diagnostic modelling
• The latent variable structure of cognition and psychopathology in diverse conditions

Staff

Current Members

• 
  Hannah Cruickshank Campbell, PhD

  Hannah Cruickshank Campbell

  

  PhD

  Supervisors: Prof Stephen Bowden, Mr Geoff Saw

  After working in test development, I commenced my PhD in 2020 with a focus on cognitive ability, neuropsychological assessments, and theories of intelligence. I am currently investigating the validity of the WAIS and WMS neuropsychological assessments, specifically looking at the factor structure and measurement invariance of these assessments. Other areas of research interests include psychometric test development and standardisation and the feasibility and validity of neuropsychological assessments conducted via telehealth.

• 
  Danielle Courtney, Master of Psychology (Clinical Neuropsychology)

  Danielle Courtney

  

  Master of Psychology (Clinical Neuropsychology)

  Supervisor: Prof Stephen Bowden

  Mood disorders are widespread in neuropsychological settings, my research is focused on resolving ongoing residual debate around the impact of depression on memory function. As such, the project involves modelling memory performance and depressive symptom severity in a large representative clinical neurosciences cohort. Additionally, we hope to further elucidate the mechanisms underlying this relationship by investigating potential mediators and moderators, in particular working memory performance. More broadly, my interests lie in neuroplasticity, ageing and cognitive health, functional neurological disorders, and the development of evidence-based clinical cognitive interventions.

• 
  Anita Dharan, Master of Psychology (Clinical Neuropsychology)/PhD

  Anita Dharan

  

  Master of Psychology (Clinical Neuropsychology)/PhD

  Supervisors: Prof Stephen Bowden, A/Prof Wendyl D'Souza

  I started my Masters of Clinical Neuropsychology in 2016. My key research area is epilepsy (particularly 'idiopathic' or genetic generalized epilepsies) and the cognitive and psychosocial impact of this disorder. Having transferred into the combined Masters of Psychology (Clinical Neuropsychology)/PhD under the supervision of A/Prof Wendyl D’Souza and Prof Stephen Bowden, my research project  will be looking at cognitive deficits found in patients with Juvenile Absence Epilepsy. Namely, we wish to investigate whether treating silent epileptiform discharges will improve cognition and the integrity of neural networks in these patients.

• 
  Yi Leng Fung, PhD
• 
  Rachel Furey, PhD

  Rachel Furey

  

  PhD

  Supervisors: Prof Stephen Bowden, Dr Nicholas Van Dam

  I started my PhD in 2020, in which I am investigating ways to improve meta-scientific practices in clinical neuropsychology, with a particular focus on the construct validity of memory tests. More broadly, my research interests centre around the prediction and management of memory and language disorders. Outside of research, I can be found promoting the benefits of group exercise for cognitive health in my role as a Les Mills group fitness instructor.

• 
  Jessica Kennedy, PhD
• 
  Hana McDonald, Master of Psychology (Clinical Neuropsychology)/PhD

  Hana McDonald

  

  Master of Psychology (Clinical Neuropsychology)/PhD

  Supervisors: Prof Stephen Bowden, A/Prof Wendyl D'Souza, Dr Catherine Meade, Dr Leonie Simpson, Mr Simon Vogrin

  I am enrolled in the MPsych (Clinical Neuropsychology)/PhD program.  I am undertaking research examining the role of neuropsychological assessment in the context of epilepsy surgery.  Given that most resective surgery for the treatment of temporal lobe epilepsy is undertaken in the region of the mesial temporal lobe, one of the primary risks associated with surgery is postoperative memory decline.   We are hoping to increase the accuracy with which postoperative memory function can be reliably predicted prior to surgery, to inform patients’ decisions regarding treatment.

• 
  Emmanuel Peng Kiat Pua, PhD
• 
  Simon Scalzo, PhD

  Simon Scalzo

  

  PhD

  After a 12-month stint working as a clinical neuropsychologist in the Epilepsy Unit and Geriatric Medicine at Westmead Hospital, Sydney, I have resumed research activities in the Lab at Melbourne Uni. Following on from my PhD, research interests include the neuropsychological consequences of alcohol use disorders and thiamine deficiency and better early intervention practices in this cohort. Fittingly, I’ve also worked as a clinical neuropsychologist at Turning Point providing assessment and consultation to the AOD (alcohol and other drugs) community.

• 
  Jason Sudarshan, PhD
• 
  Shin Yi Quek, Master of Psychology (Clinical Neuropsychology) Student

  Shin Yi Quek

  

  Master of Psychology (Clinical Neuropsychology) Student

  Supervisor: Prof Stephen Bowden

  My research and clinical interests revolve around dementia. My Master’s thesis examines the role that the anterior temporal lobes play in semantic memory, via the use of structural imaging, in a convenience clinical sample. Dementia fascinates me because our memories form so much of who we are, and when they are all gone what are we left with? In my free time I enjoy reading, writing short stories, visiting art galleries and museums, bushwalking, travelling and generally trying to avoid getting dementia. I also drink lots of coffee because I enjoy drinking coffee, although I feel justified by observational research suggesting that caffeine consumption is associated with a reduced risk of cognitive decline.

• 
  Yi-En Quek, PhD

  Yi-En Quek

  

  PhD

  Supervisors: Prof Stephen Bowden, Prof Steven Collins

  Driven by my desire to integrate best available research evidence with clinical practice, I embarked on a PhD in 2020 post-completing an MPsych (Clinical Neuropsychology). My PhD research seeks to improve early Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis in the clinical setting through neuropsychological assessment and quantitative neuroimaging. To that end, my project involves enhancing volumetric neuroimaging assessment to enable more reliable volumetric estimates and investigating combinations between neuropsychological data and volumetric measures to more reliably detect early Alzheimer’s disease. Outside research, I enjoy travelling to new places and watching TV shows.

• 
  Christopher Wilson, PhD

  Christopher Wilson

  

  PhD

  Supervisors: Prof Stephen Bowden,  A/Prof Linda Byrne, Dr Larry Weiss

  A current PhD candidate, my research interest centres on human cognitive abilities. I have been working in the development of clinical assessments for nearly a decade. I am further exploring the structure of human cognitive abilities and the theories of intelligence. My research examines the development of cognitive ability measures with a focus on test bias and invariance testing. I am currently investigating the measurement invariance of the WISC-V across cultures.

Former Members

• Catherine Meade
• Paul Jewsbury
• Amy Loughman
• Sara Fratti
• Michelle Livock
• Jodie Valpied

Collaborators

• Dr David Loring, Professor of Neurology and Pediatrics, Emory University
• Professor Mark Cook, St Vincent’s Hospital
• Associate Professor Wendyl D’Souza, St Vincent’s Hospital
• Dr Catherine Meade, St Vincent’s Hospital
• Dr Leonie Simpson, St Vincent’s Hospital
• Mr Simon Vogrin, St Vincent’s Hospital

Research Publications

Articles

2019

Basterfield, C., Hester, R., & Bowden, S. C. (2019). A meta-analysis of the relationship between abstinence and neuropsychological functioning in methamphetamine use disorder. Neuropsychology. https://doi-org.ezp.lib.unimelb.edu.au/10.1037/neu0000552

Delagneau, G., Bowden, S. C., van-der-El, K., Bryce, S., Hamilton, M., Adams, S., … Allott, K. (2019). Perceived need for neuropsychological assessment according to geographic location: A survey of Australian youth mental health clinicians. Applied Neuropsychology. Child, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1080/21622965.2019.1624170

Emmanuel Peng Kiat Pua, Gareth Ball, Chris Adamson, Stephen Bowden, & Marc L. Seal. (2019). Quantifying individual differences in brain morphometry underlying symptom severity in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Scientific Reports, (1), 1. https://doi-org.ezp.lib.unimelb.edu.au/10.1038/s41598-019-45774-z

Han, D., Fung, Y. L., Ng, K. E. T., Bowden, S. C., Vogrin, S. J., Meade, C., … Collins, S. J. (2019). Comparative Utility of Manual versus Automated Segmentation of Hippocampus and Entorhinal Cortex Volumes in a Memory Clinic Sample. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 68(1), 159–171. https://doi-org.ezp.lib.unimelb.edu.au/10.3233/JAD-181172

2018

Loring, D. W., Bowden, S. C., Staikova, E., Bishop, J. A., Drane, D. L., & Goldstein, F. C. (2018). NIH Toolbox Picture Sequence Memory Test for Assessing Clinical Memory Function: Diagnostic Relationship to the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test. Archives Of Clinical Neuropsychology: The Official Journal Of The National Academy Of Neuropsychologists, doi:10.1093/arclin/acy028

2017

Pua, E. P. K., Bowden, S. C., & Seal, M. L. (2017). Autism spectrum disorders: Neuroimaging findings from systematic reviews. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 34, 28-33.

Loughman, A., Bowden, S. C., & D'Souza, W. J. (2017). A comprehensive assessment of cognitive function in the common genetic generalized epilepsy syndromes. European Journal of Neurology, 24(3), 453-460.

Loughman, A., Bowden, S. C., & D’Souza, W. J. (2017). Self and informant report ratings of psychopathology in genetic generalized epilepsy. Epilepsy & Behavior, 67, 13-19.

Livock, M., Anderson, P. J., Lewis, S., Bowden, S. C., Muggli, E., & Halliday, J. (2017). Maternal micronutrient consumption periconceptionally and during pregnancy: A prospective cohort study. Public Health Nutrition, 20(2), 294–304.

Fratti, S., Bowden, S. C., & Cook, M. J. (2017). Reliability and validity of the CogState computerized battery in patients with seizure disorders and healthy young adults: Comparison with standard neuropsychological tests. The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 31, 569-586.

2016

Jewsbury, P. A., & Bowden, S. C. (2016). Construct validity of fluency and implications for the factorial structure of memory. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, 1–22.

Jewsbury, P. A., Bowden, S. C., & Duff, K. (2016). The Cattell–Horn–Carroll model of cognition for clinical assessment. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, 1-21.

Bowden, S. C., & Loring, D. W. (2016). Editorial. Neuropsychology Review, 26(2), 107-108.

Loring, D.W., & Bowden, S. C. (2016). Editorial. Neuropsychology Review, 26(1), 1-2.

Serrano Burneo, D. C., Bowden, S. C., & Simpson, L. C. (2016). Incremental validity of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, Second Edition (MMPI-2) relative to the Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition (BDI-II) in the detection of depressive symptoms.  Australian Psychologist, 51, 389–399.

Loughman, A., Seneviratne. U., Bowden, S. C., & D’Souza, W. J. (2016). Epilepsy beyond seizures: Predicting enduring cognitive dysfunction in genetic generalized epilepsies. Epilepsy & Behavior, 62, 297-303.

Bowden, S. C., & Crowe, S. F. (2016).  Editorial to the Special Issue “Improving the Reliability and Validity of Brief Cognitive Assessments”.  Australian Psychologist, 51(5), 339-341.

Sudarshan, N. J., Bowden, S. C., Saklofske, D. H., & Weiss, L. G. (2016). Age-related invariance of abilities measured with the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale–IV. Psychological Assessment, 28(11), 1489-1501.

Jewsbury, P. A., Bowden, S. C., & Strauss, M. E. (2016). Integrating the switching, inhibition, and updating model of executive function with the Cattell-Horn-Carroll model. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 145(2), 220-245.

2015

Brown, L., Bowden, S. C., Bryant, C., Brown, V., Bei, B., Gilson, K. M., Komiti, A., & Judd, F. (2015). Validation and utility of the Attitudes to Ageing Questionnaire: Links to menopause and well-being trajectories. Maturitas, 82(2), 190-196.

Scalzo, S. J., Bowden, S. C., Ambrose, M. L., Whelan, G., & Cook, M. J. (2015). Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome not related to alcohol use: A systematic review. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, 86(12), 1362-1368.

Alkemade, N., Bowden, S. C., & Salzman, L. (2015). Scoring correction for MMPI-2 Hs scale with patients experiencing a traumatic brain injury: A test of measurement invariance. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 30, 39-48.

2014

Loughman, A., Bowden, S. C., & D'Souza, W. J. (2014). Cognitive functioning in idiopathic generalised epilepsies: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 43, 20-34.

Bowden, S. C., White, J. R., Simpson, L., & Ben-Porath, Y. S. (2014). Elevation discrepancies between MMPI-2 clinical and MMPI-2-RF restructured clinical (RC) scales in people with seizure disorders. Epilepsy & Behavior, 34, 92-98.

Loring, D. W., & Bowden, S. C. (2014). The STROBE statement and neuropsychology: Lighting the way toward evidence-based practice. The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 28, 556-574.

Bowden, S. C., Harrison, E. J., & Loring, D. W. (2014). Evaluating research for clinical significance: Using critically appraised topics to enhance evidence-based neuropsychology. The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 28(4), 653-668.

Jewsbury, P. A., & Bowden, S. C. (2014). A description of mixed group validation. Assessment, 21, 170–180.

Mathias, J. L., Harman-Smith, Y. E., Bowden, S. C., Rosenfeld, J. V., & Bigler, E. D. (2014). Contribution of psychological trauma to outcomes after traumatic brain injury: Assaults versus sporting injuries. Journal of Neurotrauma, 31(7), 658-669.

Foran, A., Bowden, S. C., Bardenhagen, F. J., Cook, M. J., & Meade, C. E. (2013). Specificity of psychopathology in temporal lobe epilepsy. Epilepsy & Behavior, 27(1), 193-199.

Bowden, S. C. (2013). Theoretical convergence in assessment of cognition - Invited commentary. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, 31(2), 148-156.

Jewsbury, P. A., & Bowden, S. C. (2013). Considerations underlying the use of mixed group validation. Psychological Assessment, 25(1), 204-215.

Bowden, S. C., Petrauskas, V. M., Bardenhagen, F. J., Meade, C. E., & Simpson, L. C. (2013). Exploring the dimensionality of digit span. Assessment, 20, 188-198.

2012

Li, T., Saklofske, D. H., Bowden, S. C., Yan, G., & Fung, T. S. (2012). The measurement invariance of the Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale (WLEIS) across three Chinese university student groups from Canada and China. Journal of PsychoEducational Assessment, 30(4), 439-452.

2011

Fratti, S., Bowden, S. C., & Pino, O. (2011). Diagnostic memory assessment in Italian-born Australians. International Psychogeriatrics, 23(7), 1133-1143.

Bowden, S. C., Saklofske, D. H., & Weiss, L. G. (2011). Invariance of the measurement model underlying the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-IV in the United States and Canada. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 71(1), 186-199.

Bowden, S. C., Saklofske, D. H., & Weiss, L. G. (2011). Augmenting the core battery with supplementary subtests: Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale—IV measurement invariance across the United States and Canada. Assessment, 18(2), 133-140.

2010

Murphy, M., Smith, P. D., Wood, M., Bowden, S. C., O'Brien, T. J., Bulluss, K. J., & Cook, M. J. (2010). Surgery for temporal lobe epilepsy associated with mesial temporal sclerosis in the older patient: A long-term follow-up. Epilepsia, 51(6), 1024-1029.

Books

2017

Bowden, S. C. (Ed.). (2017). Neuropsychological Assessment in the Age of Evidence-Based Practice Diagnostic and Treatment Evaluations. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

2015

Loring, D. (Ed.). (2015). International Neuropsychological Society Dictionary of Neuropsychology and Clinical Neurosciences (2^nd ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press. (Bowden, S. C., Major Contributor and Content Advisor).

Svanberg, J., Withall, A., Draper, B., & Bowden, S. C. (Eds.). (2015). Alcohol and the Adult Brain. New York, NY: Psychology Press.

Book Chapters

2017

Bowden, S. C., & Scalzo, S. J. (2017). Alcohol related dementia and Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome. In D. Ames, A. Burns, & J. O'Brien (Eds.), Dementia (5^th ed.). London: Edward Arnold.

Bowden, S. C. (2017). Why Do We Need Evidence-Based Neuropsychological Practice? In S. C. Bowden (Ed.), Neuropsychological Assessment in the Age of Evidence-Based Practice Diagnostic and Treatment Evaluations (pp. 1-13). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

Jewsbury, P. A., & Bowden, S. C. (2017). Construct Validity Has a Critical Role in Evidence-Based Neuropsychological Assessment. In S. C. Bowden (Ed.), Neuropsychological Assessment in the Age of Evidence-Based Practice Diagnostic and Treatment Evaluations (pp. 33-63). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

Bowden, S. C., & Finch, S. (2017). When Is a Test Reliable Enough and Why Does It Matter? In S. C. Bowden (Ed.), Neuropsychological Assessment in the Age of Evidence-Based Practice Diagnostic and Treatment Evaluations (pp. 95-119). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

Bowden, S. C. (2017). Key Skills for the Evidence-Based Practitioner.  In S. C. Bowden (Ed.), Neuropsychological Assessment in the Age of Evidence-Based Practice Diagnostic and Treatment Evaluations (pp. 281-287). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

2016

Bowden, S. C., Simpson, L., & Cook, M. J. (2016). Neuropsychological aspects of temporal-lobe epilepsy: Seeking evidence-based practice. In J. A. B. Macniven (Ed.), Neuropsychological formulation: A clinical casebook (pp. 71-88). New York, NY: Springer Science + Business Media.

2015

Scalzo, S. J., Bowden, S. C., & Hillbom, M. (2015). Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. In J. Svanberg, A. Withall., B. Draper, & S. C. Bowden (Eds.), Alcohol and the Adult Brain (pp. 5-30). New York, NY: Psychology Press.

2010

Bowden, S. C. (2010). Alcohol related dementia and Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome. In D. Ames, A. Burns, & J. O'Brien (Eds.), Dementia (4^th ed.). London: Edward Arnold.