Neuropsychological Testing In Psychology

Neuropsychological testing:

Neuropsychology is a field with historical origins in both psychology and neurology. The crucial activity of neuropsychologists is to assess the brain functioning, through prearranged and organized behavioral observation. Neuropsychological tests are designed to look at a variety of cognitive capabilities, which involves speed of information processing, attention, memory, language, and decision-making functions, which are essential for goal-directed behavior. By testing a multiple of cognitive abilities and examining patterns of performance in different cognitive areas, neuropsychologists can make conclusion about fundamental brain function. Neuropsychological testing is an important constituent of the assessment

Items including a tuning fork, flashlight, reflex hammer and needles are used to help in diagnosing brain tumors, infections such as encephalitis and meningitis, diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and epilepsy. Some tests require the services of a specialist to perform and analyze results.

Neuropsychological assessment provides both general and specific information about current levels of cognitive performance. An average or multiple score across multiple ability areas provides a general guide of how well a person functions cognitively at the current time. Based on the result of a neurological test, physical assessment, patient history, x-rays of the patient’s chest and skull, and any previous testing, physicians may order one or more of the following diagnostic tests to determine the specific nature of a assumed neurological disorder or injury. These diagnostics generally involve either nuclear medicine imaging, in which very small amounts of radioactive materials are used to study organ function and structure, or diagnostic imaging, which uses magnets and electrical charges to study human

Neurological uses include the diagnosis of brain and spinal cord tumors, eye disease, inflammation, infection, and vascular irregularities that may lead to stroke. MRI can also detect and monitor degenerative disorders such as multiple sclerosis and can document brain injury from trauma.

Functional MRI (fMRI) uses the blood’s magnetic properties to produce real time images of blood flow to particular areas of the brain. An fMRI can pinpoint areas of the brain that become active and note how long they stay active. It can also tell if brain activity within a region occurs simultaneously or sequentially. This imaging process is used to assess brain damage from head injury or degenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and to identify and monitor other neurological disorders, including multiple sclerosis, stroke, and brain tumors.

Myelography involves the injection of a water- or oil-based contrast dye into the spinal canal to enhance x-ray imaging of the spine. Myelograms are used to diagnose spinal nerve injury, herniated discs, fractures, back or leg pain, and spinal