Automated neuropsychological assessment metrics (v4) military expanded battery: Normative data for special operations forces

Abstract

Objective: The Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics (ANAM) has long been used to assess cognition in military samples before deployment and following injury. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of various demographic factors on the ANAM4 Military Expanded (ANAM4 ME) performance of Special Operations Forces (SOF) and to provide regression-based normative data for clinicians working with SOF personnel. Method: The sample was a large active duty military sample of SOF and support personnel (n = 24,072) who were tested under a new baseline policy. Results: Performance differences based on demographic variables were generally small. In general, increasing age was associated with significantly worse performance, except on mathematical processing. Higher education level was associated with better performance on most subtests, as expected, but was associated with worse performance on spatial processing. Conclusion: This paper provides regression formulas for calculating adjusted scores based on the most relevant demographic variables, as well as base rates of obtaining one or more clearly above or below average scores across the entire ANAM4 ME battery.