WebNeuro FAQ
CAN I RUN WEBNEURO ON MY HOME PC? WHAT ARE THE SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS FOR WEBNEURO?
The minimum system requirements for WebNeuro to run are:
- Pentium III (or equivalent), Windows 98/2000/XP, 128MB RAM
- Internet Explorer 5 or above installed
Additionally, it is vital that you ensure that there are no memory-intensive background tasks (e.g. virus scan, accounting software, etc) running during the testing. Versions of WebNeuro for Apple or Linux operating systems are currently not available.
IS A HIGH BANDWIDTH CONNECTION NECESSARY FOR DOWNLOADING AND RUNNING WEBNEURO?
Connection speed only affects the initial software download. WebNeuro is only 1.8 Megabyte. This means it will take approximately 5 minutes to download using a Dial-Up connection, or less than 1 minute if you have a high-speed internet connection. Connection speed does not affect the actual performance of the software.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COMPLETE THE BATTERY OF TESTS?
Once you have logged in, WebNeuro takes around 40 minutes to complete. The length might vary depending on which tests have been activated for your login.
ARE MY PERSONAL DETAILS SECURE?
Once you have completed the registration form, you will be sent an email from Brain Resource. Included in this email will be your unique login and password - which you will need to take the test. This login and password will replace all details that identify you, before any use or transmission of your information or results, and (should you consent) before inclusion of your data in the research database.
Any personal or individually identifiable information that you provide will be 'de-linked' from your test results. This means that any personally identifying information that you provide will be held in confidence and stored separately and independently from your data in the database.
Your personal information will not be used for any purpose other than to contact you (for example, so that we can send you information about the test, as well as your results).
CAN I RESTART OR ATTEMPT A PREVIOUS TEST AGAIN?
No. Once each test has begun, there is no way to restart or redo it. Having this functionality would compromise results in test areas such as memory.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE IS A POWER FAILURE OR INTERNET DISCONNECTION DURING THE TEST?
WebNeuro periodically saves your progress in encrypted files on your local computer. If there is any interruption to the test, you will be able to recommence the test battery from the sub-test where it was interrupted. To resume a test, restart the software on the same computer and login using the same login/password.
In the event of an interruption, you should reconnect to the test immediately. Any lengthy break invalidates the integrity of the test - potentially increasing the cognitive load on memory and the effect of fatigue or alternatively allowing cognitive recovery if people are allowed to rest between subtests.
Data is only uploaded at the end of the test so if your internet connection drops out during the test, the test sequence will continue as normal and ask you to provide an internet connection at the end of the test in order to upload the data.
WHAT IF I NEED TO STOP DURING THE TEST? CAN THE TEST BE PAUSED?
There is a pause between each sub-test, where the program will wait for the subject to touch 'START'. This pause can be used in the event of necessary interruptions (e.g. to go to the bathroom).
Alternatively, the program can be exited in between tests (when it shows your progress) by clicking the 'Exit' button displayed at the bottom left corner of the screen. The test can then be resumed by logging in on the same computer using the same details.
Please note that time interruptions longer than 5 minutes may affect the test outcome and are not advised.
There is no way to pause the program once a test has begun.
MY LOGIN DOESN'T WORK.
Please check your spelling, or preferably, copy and paste the login information you received into WebNeuro.
HOW CAN I TELL IF I AM CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET?
Simply go to your desktop and open 'Internet Explorer' from either the desktop shortcut, or the Start Menu. If you cannot find a shortcut to internet explorer, go to the Start Menu and select 'Run…'. In the dialogue box which pops up, type: “iexplore” (without the inverted commas) and press enter.
If you are able to browse to different websites (e.g. www.microsoft.com), you are connected to the internet.
I COMPLETED THE TEST, BUT THE PROGRAM WON'T UPLOAD THE DATA.
Firstly, please check that you are connected to the internet (see below). Failing this, please email the results of your test to us by performing the following actions:
- Open 'My Computer' and click on the 'Tools' menu at the top, followed by the 'Folder Options' menu and then the 'View' tab.
- Make sure that the 'Show Hidden Files and Folders' radio-button is checked, and then click 'OK'.
- Browse to C:\Documents and Settings\xxx\Local Settings\Temp\BRC, where 'xxx' is the username you are logged onto your computer as.
- Right-click on the 'Data' folder and select 'Send to...' and choose 'Zip (Compressed) file' in the expanded menu.
- This will create a .zip file of the same name in the same folder. Go to this page to upload
THE PROGRAM DOESN'T RUN, WHAT DO I DO?
Please ensure that your computer meets the minimum specifications, and that you have access to run (or install) applications. WebNeuro is free software, so unfortunately there is not much more we can suggest than this - try it on another computer.
WHAT HAPPENS TO THE DATA ONCE IT IS UPLOADED? CAN ANY UNAUTHORIZED PERSON SEE MY RESULTS?
No. The WebNeuro application packages the data using banking-strength encryption before sending it through the Internet to Brain Resource. The centralized scoring facility processes all the data automatically and sends the resulting de-identified report in PDF format to the email address provided to the program.
HOW DOES BRC DETERMINE WHAT IS NORMAL AND WHAT IS NOT?
The Brain Resource has used the same tests with a number of control subjects enabling us to compare individuals across age, sex and education-matched peer groups in our database.
CAN INDIVIDUALS CHEAT ON THIS TEST?
No web-based assessment can be as reliable as a test delivered on a dedicated interface in controlled conditions. There is nothing to stop clients getting help from a friend or using other tools to help them answer a question if they are not monitored.
WebNeuro is a high quality cognitive screening tool that if used genuinely can offer very sound indication as to whether further testing is warranted.
