Neuropsychology is the study of brain-behavior relationships. The field is a unique subspecialty of Clinical Psychology, and encompasses the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of the various disorders affecting the central nervous system, generally the brain and spinal cord, with a particular focus on the changes in cognition, emotion and behavior that result from brain injury or disease.
A Clinical Neuropsychologist receives training as a Clinical Psychologist, but also has specialty training in diagnosing the various complex disorders affecting the brain. Many neuropsychologists also treat patients adjusting to the cognitive, emotional and behavioral changes they experience as a result of a brain injury or disorder.
The typical goal of a neuropsychology referral is to obtain a comprehensive assessment of an individual’s cognitive capabilities and emotional functioning in order to provide optimal treatment planning, to obtain services or benefits, to assess readiness to return to work, or to make important decisions about an individual’s capacity to continue to live independently, drive safely or make important decisions about one’s financial or other personal affairs. The neuropsychological evaluation is used to promote an individual’s wellbeing in many ways. Some include:
- to quantify a child’s or adolescent’s unique pattern of cognitive strengths and weaknesses in order to diagnose existing developmental disorder(s) and obtain school accommodations and/or improve communication with school administrators (e.g., in association with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Learning Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorders, or Epilepsy)
- to measure progress in regaining cognitive skills following an acquired injury to the brain (e.g., following a Traumatic Brain Injury, Electrical Injury, Anoxic Injury, Stroke or Meningitis)
- to assess potential changes in cognitive functioning resulting from medical illness (e.g., in Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease, Obstructive Sleep Apnea) or from medical treatment (e.g., Chemotherapy)
- to determine when cognitive changes in an older adult exceed normal aging and can be categorized as Mild Cognitive Impairment. Related, to monitor Mild Cognitive Impairment and distinguish it from the various Dementia Syndromes
- to monitor and stage cognitive functioning associated with various brain disorders and progressive disease processes (e.g., in Multiple Sclerosis and the Dementia Syndromes)
- to assess pre- and post cognitive functioning among surgical candidates (e.g., for Brain Tumor, Intractable Seizures, Deep Brain Stimulation, Hydrocephalus, Organ Transplant, Hydrocephalus and Organ Transplant)