NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT SERVICES

A Neuropsychological Evaluation is a medical procedure ordered by a physician/neurologist for the purpose of assessing the presence or effects of organic brain damage. A Neuropsychological Evaluation is distinct from a Psychological or Psychiatric Evaluation which identifies mental health, emotional, personality, and/or behavioral dysfunctions.

Typical diagnostic questions involve identifying whether a patient has suffered a stroke, has seizures, Alzheimer’s Disease, brain tumor or traumatic brain injury (from a car accident). Very often, it is used in addition to neuroimaging (CT scan or MRI) as it is often more sensitive in diagnosing brain damage.

The Neuropsychological Evaluation is far more comprehensive and sophisticated than a standard Psychological Evaluation. Cognitive areas assessed for potential dysfunction include:

• General intellect
• Achievement skills (e.g., reading, math)
• Higher level executive skills (e.g., organization, planning, reasoning, inhibition, problem solving)
• Attention and concentration
• Learning and memory
• Language
• Visual-spatial skills (e.g., perception)
• Motor and sensory skills
• Mood and personality
• Behavioral functioning and social skills

The assessment also examines emotional and motivational issues such as secondary gain and malingering which may contribute to test deficits or impaired functional or work capacities. Issues such as ability to return to work, functional ability, treatment recommendations, and placement options are addressed as well.

An evaluation can identify weaknesses in a specific area.  When problems are very mild, neuropsychological assessment may be the only way to detect them.  Test results can be used to determine if your problems are the result of normal brain-related changes or if they are associated with a neurological disorder.  Testing might also be used to identify problems related to medical conditions that can affect memory and thinking, such as medication effects, metabolic or infectious diseases, or alcoholism.  It can also help detect the effects of developmental problems such as epilepsy, attention deficit disorder (ADHD), or genetic disorders.  Sometimes testing is used to establish a "baseline," or document a person's skills before there is any problem (e.g., athletes in contact sports, individuals with MS, etc.).  In this way, later changes can be measured very objectively. 

Clinical neuropsychology is a specialty profession that focuses on brain functioning.  A clinical neuropsychologist is a licensed psychologist with expertise in how behavior and cognitive skills are related to brain structures and systems.  A very detailed assessment of abilities is done, and the pattern of strengths and weaknesses is used in important health care areas, such as diagnosis and treatment planning.  A clinical neuropsychologist conducts the evaluation and makes recommendations. She may also provide treatment, such as cognitive rehabilitation, behavior management, or psychotherapy.  Often, the clinical neuropsychologist will work closely with a physician to manage the patient's problems.

Neuropsychological evaluations are requested specifically to help your doctors, teachers, school psychologist, or other professionals understand how the different areas and systems of the brain are working.  Testing is usually recommended when there are symptoms or complaints involving memory or thinking.  This can be signaled by a change in concentration, organization, reasoning, memory, language, perception, coordination, or personality.  The changes may be due to any of a number of medical, neurological, psychological, or genetic causes.