Clinical Neuropsychology Flashcards
What are some of the instances where Clinical Neuropsychological EValuation is useful?
- Differential neurological diagnosis
- Acute vs static
- Focal vs diffuse
- Location of damage
- Establishment of baseline for future evaluation (whether improvement or deterioration)
- Describing the effects of brain function on behaviour
- Determination of disability and required compensation
- Evaluate vocational potential
- Assessment of environmental needs following discharge
- Development of remedial methods for rehabilitation
- Measurement fo residual abilities during rehabilitation
- Patient management
Crystallised Functions
Most dependant on cultural factors and learning. For example, spelling and factual knowledge.
Fluid Functions
Culture free and independent of learning. For example, problem solving and abstract reasoning abilities.
What are the higher and lower cognitive functions organised hierarchically (higher functions depend greater on lower functions).
- Orientation (Arousal)
- Sensation/Perception
- Attention
- Motor
- Visuospatial
- Language Skills
- Memory
- Abstract Reasoning/Conceptualisation
- Emotional/Psychological Distress
- Activities of Daily Living
Orientation (Awareness)
Describes a patient’s basic awareness of themselves to the world around them (Person, Place, Time).
Including:
- Arousal
- Degree of confusion
- Disorientation
- Person
- Place
- Time
- Awareness of change/time
Sensation and Perception
Sensation: the process of a stimulus exciting a receptor and resulting in a detectable experience in any sensory modality.
Perception:
