Neuropsychology is a branch of psychology that focuses on relationships between the brain and behavior. A clinical neuropsychologist is a professional psychologist trained in the science of brain-behavior relationships. The clinical neuropsychologist specializes in the application of assessment and intervention principles based on the scientific study of human behavior across the lifespan as it relates to normal and abnormal functioning of the central nervous system.
Neuropsychological assessment involves the comprehensive evaluation of cognitive abilities with standardized, objective measures, including general intelligence, academic achievement, attention, memory, language, visuospatial skills, motor skills, and executive functioning. Assessment of effort and motivation, personality and emotional functioning are integral to every evaluation.
Some of the conditions assessed include cognitive and emotional impairments in:
- Degenerative Diseases (e.g., Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, Lewy Body, Frontotemporal, Multiple System Atrophy)
- Cerebrovascular Diseases
- Head and brain injury (including post-concussion syndrome)
- Demyelinating Diseases (e.g., Multiple Sclerosis)
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Epilepsy, Seizure Disorder, Nonepileptic Seizures
- Brain Tumors
- Medical Illness (e.g., HIV, Lupus, Autoimmune disorders)
- Attention Deficit Disorders
- Learning Disabilities and Developmental Disorders
- Chronic Substance Abuse
- Psychiatric Disorders (e.g., Schizophrenia, Major Depression)