Clinical neuropsychology Flashcards
what is clinical neuropsychology?
how the brain affects thoughts and behaviours. is the combines study of the study of nervous system and psychology
what is the particular focus of clinical neuropsychology?
how diseases and injuries to the brain causes changes
how do clinical neuropsychologists offer support to patients?
they support people through education, psychological therapy, cognitive rehab and family support
when assessing someone what aspects do they look at? what is the goal of assessment?
they look at health, life, medical history, education, work background.
the goal is to understand how brain dysfunction and its effects
what does assessment data need to be compared to and other factors need to be considered?
it need to be compared to normative data but the context of the patient needs to be considered such as background
what are the three steps of assessment?
- initial interview: which is a comprehensive review of medical notes, and others observations
- clinical interview: gathering observations and evidence from patient and other sources
- testing: psych tests
what does assessment evaluate?
memory, attention, processing speed, executive functions, mood
what are examples of neurological degenerative diseases?
alzheimer’s and parkison’s
what are strokes and injuries classified as?
acquired brain injury
what are two neurological conditions?
Multiple sclerosis (MS) and epilepsy
after neurological events what emotional and cognitive disabilities may occur?
difficulty processing info
language changes
short term memory loss
difficulties with attention/concentration
spatial disorientation
executive difficulties
difficulties multitasking
emotional difficulties
what does the frontal lobe do? and what is the name of the region within this lobe that can cause personality change and social skills issues if damaged?
helps with language production, planning, coordinating movement
prefrontal cortex
what part of the brain is involved in thinking rather than doing, helps control balance and muscle coordination, proprioception?
cerebellum
what part of the brain is related to auditory information processing, understand language, concerned with memories and emotions, and recognise seen objects/faces?
temporal lobe
what does the occipital lobe do?
mainly helps with vision and ability to recognise what is seen, identify colours and locate objects within environments
what is the function of the parietal lobe?
mainly focused around perception of sensations, touch, pressure, touch, pain, spatial awareness, and understanding words and sentences
what was David’s condition and what did this impact?
large mass within his frontal lobes which causes disrupted thinking, decision making and behavioural changes
what is a meningioma?
tumour within the meninges which are layers of tissue that cover the brain and spinal cord
what is oedema and what does it cause?
swelling within the brain, which can increase pressure in the skull and affects brain function
what is neuroplasticity?
the brains ability to adapt post-injury
what was rosemary’s condition and what did it cause?
had Alzheimer’s which caused atrophy of the temporal lobe
what is the function of the hippocampus?
in charge of consolidating and forming new memories
what is anosognosia? what level/s of brain injury causes this?
a condition causing some to lack awareness of their own deficits. common within those with moderate-severe brain injuries
what are brain injuries that happen once and are not degenerative called (e.g strokes, TBI)?
single insults
what is cognitive training?
improving a skill or function through learning and practice
what can brain injuries be affected by?
location of injury, time since injury, age, premorbid functioning, and prior health history/conditions
what is wakeful rest?
taking a small rest, but not sleeping, after learning something new
why are cognition and emotion interrelated?
they share the same neural networks
why might someone see a neuropsychologist?
anything that affects behaviour and cognitive abilities
what is the difference between declarative and implicit memory?
declarative memory: is processed differently than implicit memories and includes things like someone has eaten today
implicit memory: is a rote motor behaviour, they are ingrained skills that are learnt through practice, such as raising your arm
what is dementia?
umbrella term that includes a set of observable symptoms that includes decline in cognition, and can cause impact in daily living
what is Alzheimer’s and what is its difference to dementia?
is a cause of dementia and is a biological process that relates to proteins being in the brain when they shouldn’t be. it is degenerative and causes the brain to shrink over time
what is temporal graded memory loss?
retrograde amnesia, which means that new memories are affected first rather than old memories as they have already been consolidated by the hippocampus
how is Parkinson’s caused and what are some symptoms of it?
certain proteins that should not be in the brain causes symptoms like motor behaviour changes such as shaking, rigidity, tremors
