Neuropsychology

The Neuropsychology Service within the Division of Cognitive Neuroscience provides comprehensive neuropsychological assessments for children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly.

A neuropsychological evaluation involves assessment (testing) with a group of standardized tests that are sensitive to the effects of brain dysfunction. Unlike CT or MRI scans which show abnormalities in the structure of the brain, or EEG, which shows electrical abnormalities in the brain, neuropsychological assessment is used to show the ways in which a person can or cannot perform certain functions or tasks that are dependent upon brain activity. These functions or tasks (for example, memory and learning) form the necessary building blocks of successful living in the individual's daily life. Impairment in many of these functions may exist because of brain abnormalities that cannot be detected on CT or MRI scans. Therefore, neuropsychological assessment is a procedure with a unique purpose; it can be used to reveal or diagnose brain dysfunction when no structural brain abnormalities can be seen. Furthermore, when structural abnormalities have been found, neuropsychological assessment provides a way to determine what functions may be impaired because of the structural defects, and to determine the degree to which they may be impaired. The standardized tests used in a neuropsychological evaluation typically assess functioning in the areas listed below.

Adult/Geriatric

• Memory impairment and Dementia (e.g. Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Frontotemporal dementia)
• Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)
• Seizure disorder/epilepsy
• Stroke and cerebrovascular disease
• Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) pre-and post-surgical evaluations
• Traumatic brain injury and concussion
• Multiple sclerosis and other demyelinating diseases
• Brain tumor including pre- and post-surgical evaluations
• Aphasia
• Psychiatric disorders
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Pediatric/Adolescent

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Learning Disorders
• Genetic disorders and congenital neurologic conditions
• Developmental delays
• Seizure disorder/epilepsy
• Concussion
• Psychiatric disorders