Lecture 1 Flashcards
Introduction to clinical neuropsychology
What are the interests of clinical neuropsychologists and what do they investigate?
Clinical neuropsychologists are interested in brain disorders and the behavioral consequences.
These consequences can be presented in neurocognitive functioning, mood, and behavior.
The clinical neuropsychologists uses the DSM-5 to identify neurological disorders.
What are the six neurocognitive domains?
- Complex attention.
- Perceptual-motor function.
- Language.
- Executive functions.
- Learning + memory.
- Social cognition.
Why is it important to know the difference between symptoms, disorders, and the disability/handicap?
Because the descriptions of patients are often not clear about which symptoms are exactly present. Also, sometimes patients are unaware of their disabilities (often the case in agnosia).
What is the role of a clinical neuropsychologists in diagnostic assessment?
The clinical neuropsychologist provides diagnostic assessment of patients presenting cognitive or behavioral change in context of (suspected) neurological illness or injury.
They report on indications that a given disorder is present, the degree of affected cognitive functions, and the course of disorders.
On basis of this diagnosis, prognosis and recommendations for treatment will be given.
What are the methods CNPs use during diagnostic assessment?
Methods for diagnostic assessments are:
- Observation.
- Anamnesis.
- Neuropsychological tests and questionnaires.
What is the role of CNPs in treatment and which methods do they use?
In treatments, CNPs provide treatments for the cognitive, mood, and behavioral problems that result from (suspected) neurological illness or injury.
CNPs use treatment methods, such as:
- Psychoeducation.
- Function training.
- Strategy training.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy.
- System therapy.
- Life style adjustment.
What is Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?
MS = a chronic disorder of the central nervous system (brain + spinal cord), in which there is inflammation of brain tissue, demyelination, and neurodegeneration present.
What is demyelination?
Demyelination = myelin around axons are damaged, which cause slower information processes in neural networks.
What is neurodegeneration?
Neurodegeneration = a process which leads to irreversibel neuronal damage and cell death.
What are the 3 types of MS?
The 3 types of MS are:
1. Relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS).
2. Secondary progressive MS (SPMS).
3. Primary progressive MS (PPMS).
What is relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS)?
RRMS = the most common type of MS, in which symptoms are present in relapsing periods, but can not be present in remitting periods (the functions come back). This often causes confusion in the patients and their environment.
What is secondary progressive MS (SPMS)?
SPMS = follows the initial RRMS course, in which neurologic function worsens progressively or disability accumulates over time, and there is no remitting periods anymore.
What is primary progressive MS (PPMS)?
PPMS = worst form of MS, in which neurologic function(s) worsens or disabilities accumulates as soon as symptoms appear, without early relapses or remissions.
What are symptoms of MS and what is the connection between symptoms and grey/white matter?
MS has diverse symptoms, but the most common are:
- Fatigue.
- Problems with eye sight.
- Problems with walking.
- Problems with cognition
Symptoms depend on the location of white/gray matter damage in the central nervous system.
What is the age of onset of MS?
Age of onset is between 20 and 40 years old.
