Clinical neuropsychology

Question 1

what is clinical neuropsychology?

Answer 1

how the brain affects thoughts and behaviours. is the combines study of the study of nervous system and psychology

Question 2

what is the particular focus of clinical neuropsychology?

Answer 2

how diseases and injuries to the brain causes changes

Question 3

how do clinical neuropsychologists offer support to patients?

Answer 3

they support people through education, psychological therapy, cognitive rehab and family support

Question 4

when assessing someone what aspects do they look at? what is the goal of assessment?

Answer 4

they look at health, life, medical history, education, work background.
the goal is to understand how brain dysfunction and its effects

Question 5

what does assessment data need to be compared to and other factors need to be considered?

Answer 5

it need to be compared to normative data but the context of the patient needs to be considered such as background

Question 6

what are the three steps of assessment?

Answer 6

1. initial interview: which is a comprehensive review of medical notes, and others observations
2. clinical interview: gathering observations and evidence from patient and other sources
3. testing: psych tests

Question 7

what does assessment evaluate?

Answer 7

memory, attention, processing speed, executive functions, mood

Question 8

what are examples of neurological degenerative diseases?

Answer 8

alzheimer’s and parkison’s

Question 9

what are strokes and injuries classified as?

Answer 9

acquired brain injury

Question 10

what are two neurological conditions?

Answer 10

Multiple sclerosis (MS) and epilepsy

Question 11

after neurological events what emotional and cognitive disabilities may occur?

Answer 11

difficulty processing info
language changes
short term memory loss
difficulties with attention/concentration
spatial disorientation
executive difficulties
difficulties multitasking
emotional difficulties

Question 12

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?

Answer 12

helps with language production, planning, coordinating movement

prefrontal cortex

Question 13

what part of the brain is involved in thinking rather than doing, helps control balance and muscle coordination, proprioception?

Answer 13

cerebellum

Question 14

what part of the brain is related to auditory information processing, understand language, concerned with memories and emotions, and recognise seen objects/faces?

Answer 14

temporal lobe

Question 15

what does the occipital lobe do?

Answer 15

mainly helps with vision and ability to recognise what is seen, identify colours and locate objects within environments

Question 16

what is the function of the parietal lobe?

Answer 16

mainly focused around perception of sensations, touch, pressure, touch, pain, spatial awareness, and understanding words and sentences

Question 17

what was David’s condition and what did this impact?

Answer 17

large mass within his frontal lobes which causes disrupted thinking, decision making and behavioural changes

Question 18

what is a meningioma?

Answer 18

tumour within the meninges which are layers of tissue that cover the brain and spinal cord

Question 19

what is oedema and what does it cause?

Answer 19

swelling within the brain, which can increase pressure in the skull and affects brain function

Question 20

what is neuroplasticity?

Answer 20

the brains ability to adapt post-injury

Question 21

what was rosemary’s condition and what did it cause?

Answer 21

had Alzheimer’s which caused atrophy of the temporal lobe

Question 22

what is the function of the hippocampus?

Answer 22

in charge of consolidating and forming new memories

Question 23

what is anosognosia? what level/s of brain injury causes this?

Answer 23

a condition causing some to lack awareness of their own deficits. common within those with moderate-severe brain injuries

Question 24

what are brain injuries that happen once and are not degenerative called (e.g strokes, TBI)?

Answer 24

single insults

Question 25

what is cognitive training?

Answer 25

improving a skill or function through learning and practice

Question 26

what can brain injuries be affected by?

Answer 26

location of injury, time since injury, age, premorbid functioning, and prior health history/conditions

Question 27

what is wakeful rest?

Answer 27

taking a small rest, but not sleeping, after learning something new

Question 28

why are cognition and emotion interrelated?

Answer 28

they share the same neural networks

Question 29

why might someone see a neuropsychologist?

Answer 29

anything that affects behaviour and cognitive abilities

Question 30

what is the difference between declarative and implicit memory?

Answer 30

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

Question 31

what is dementia?

Answer 31

umbrella term that includes a set of observable symptoms that includes decline in cognition, and can cause impact in daily living

Question 32

what is Alzheimer’s and what is its difference to dementia?

Answer 32

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

Question 33

what is temporal graded memory loss?

Answer 33

retrograde amnesia, which means that new memories are affected first rather than old memories as they have already been consolidated by the hippocampus

Question 34

how is Parkinson’s caused and what are some symptoms of it?

Answer 34

certain proteins that should not be in the brain causes symptoms like motor behaviour changes such as shaking, rigidity, tremors