543. Research Review: Natural Language Processing (NLP) in Neuropsychology

Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. In this episode, I take a deep dive into how natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning are beginning to reshape neuropsychological assessment. Beyond the surface-level hype around AI, I explore what’s actually happening under the hood: how speech, language, and narrative data can function as digital biomarkers for conditions like ADHD, Alzheimer’s disease, and psychosis. Drawing primarily from a 2025 review in The Clinical Neuropsychologist, I walk through emerging research, practical implications for clinicians, and the ethical and methodological challenges we’ll need to confront as these tools move closer to real-world clinical use. Main Topics Covered 00:00: Why NLP and machine learning matter for neuropsychology right now 02:15: Defining NLP, digital biomarkers, and what clinicians usually discard 04:40: How linguistic, acoustic, and semantic features are analyzed 06:30: ADHD applications: narrative coherence and executive functioning 08:55: Alzheimer’s and MCI: voice biomarkers vs. traditional measures 11:30: Task design and why speech prompts matter 12:45: Psychosis and schizophrenia: quantifying disorganized speech 15:30: Clinical tools, ambient AI, and the “human-in-the-loop” model 17:45: Bias, privacy, test security, and ethical risks 19:55: The future of neuropsych assessment and hybrid AI models Cool Things Mentioned The Testing Psychologist mastermind groups and business consulting Reverb: the premier AI-powered report-writing platform for testing psychologists Brittany Wolff’s source article: https://doi.org/10.1080/13854046.2025.2547934 Featured Resources I am honored to partner with two AMAZING companies to help improve your testing practice! PAR is a long time supporter of the Testing Psychologist podcast, and I will continue to bring you featured items from their catalog! Listen to each episode for specific product recommendations and links. Learn more at www.parinc.com. TherapyNotes is the leading EHR system for mental health practitioners. I’ve used TherapyNotes for over 10 years, and it just keeps getting better. Use this link and the promo code “testing” to get two free months and try it for yourself! www.therapynotes.com/testing The Testing Psychologist podcast is approved for CEU’s! I’ve partnered with At Health to offer CE credits for podcast episodes! Visit this link to access current and past episodes available for CE credit. You can use code “TTP10” for a discount on ALL the course credits you purchase from At Health! About Dr. Jeremy Sharp I’m a licensed psychologist and Clinical Director at the Colorado Center for Assessment & Counseling, a private practice that I founded in 2009 and have grown to over 20 clinicians. I earned my undergraduate degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina before getting my Master’s and PhD in Counseling Psychology from Colorado State University. These days, I specialize in psychological and neuropsychological evaluation with kids and adolescents. As the host of the Testing Psychologist Podcast, I provide private practice consulting for psychologists and other mental health professionals who want to start or grow psychological testing services in their practices. I live in Fort Collins, Colorado with my wife (also a therapist) and two young kids. Ready to grow your testing services? Click below to schedule a complimentary 30-minute pre-consulting call! Schedule Your Call