Case 10 - neuropsychological assessment Flashcards
what is neuropsychology
study of the relationship between the brain and the mind
what is clinical neurpsyhcology
evaluation (assessment), rehabilitation, treatment of cognitive and neuro-behavioural deficits
what does a neuropsychological assessment assess
objectively assess cognitive function and mental status
diagnostic clarification and grading of cognitive disorders
who is a neuropsychological assessment used in
children who are not achieving appropriate developmental milestones
stroke victims
patients with head injuries
what does a neuropsychological assessment involve
01: basic neurological examination (EEG, GCS). Only if applicable.
02: interviews, history taking (personal factors, social skills, mood)
03: assessment of cognitive functions using standardised measures
which is the main part of this assessment
the 3rd level
what Is the third level
core component: testing a range of cognitive abilities/deficits (that are known to be linked to brain structures and pathways)
examiner is usually a clinical neurpsyhcologist
what is the assessment assessing in the Brian
attention and concentration
Verbal intellectual skills
Visuospatial/non-verbal reasoning and problem solving
Working memory and mental flexibility
Auditory memory
Visual memory
Language
Processing speed
Executive function
Mood and anxiety/stress
test score validity
how long does the test take
up to 9 to 12 hours
why do we conduct neuropsychological assessments
diagnosis of disorder
Assess impairments to particular skills/behaviours as well as functions that are spared
An apparent memory deficit might actually be a sensory-perceptual problem, an attention deficit, or due to anxiety
Identifying treatment needs
Measure changes over time
Treatment/management of condition driven by accurate picture of symptoms
Customised treatment/rehabilitation programme
Better decision making
Offering advice to the patient
Medico-legal
Used as evidence in: legal claim or criminal investigation
Evaluating competency
Identifying malingering
Research
Research into brain function
Impacts of cognitive deficits on everyday functioning
Evaluating the efficacy/effects of interventions
Identify brain damage
Neuro-imaging all s more precise mapping of structure and function
But neuropsychological assessment can be sensitive to subtle forms of neuropathology that imaging may not detect
what cognitive functions are assessed
perception:
our interpetations of what is represented by sensory input
what cognitive functions are assessed (proper card)
Perception:
our interpretations of what is represented by sensory input
Memory:
the mental capacity to store and later recall or recognise events that were previously experienced
Language (and speech):
receptive and expressive function of language
Intellectual ability:
higher level cognitive functions (reasoning, problem solving)
what is perception made up of
sensory development and sensory integration
Auditory and visual processing
Visuospatial functioning
what are the techniques used for perception
object recognition and sound recognition/localisation
block design
what is memory made up ofvisual and auditory memory
Verbal memory
Working memory (limited capacity)
an example of the Stroop test
