Neuropsychological Testing Flashcards
Define
Visuo-spatial functions
usually considered functions of the right cerebral hemisphere, include the ability to perceive and understand visuo-spatial relationships and undertake three-dimensional constructional tasks
Define
Sensory functions
the ability to encode and perceive visual, auditory and somatosensory stimuli reliably and accurately
Define
Neuropsychology
a branch of psychology that aims to study the relationships between the brain and behaviour
Define
Neuropsychological assessment
the application of neuropsychological tests and other data-collection techniques to answer referral questions or solve problems for individuals with a known or suspected brain injury
Define
Motor functions
abilities such as lateral dominance, strength, fine motor skills (speed and dexterity), sensorimotor integration and praxis
Define
Memory
the ability to encode, store and retrieve past information
Define
Language
for most right-handers, the function of the left cerebral hemisphere; it includes the ability to understand and produce speech
Define
Executuve functions
higher-level functions considered to be mediated by the prefrontal lobes; responsible for goal-directed behaviours, these functions usually include components such as working memory, concept formation, problem solving and planning
Define
Clinical neuropsychology
a sub-branch of neuropsychology that is applied in nature and concerned with the assessment and treatment of cognitive impairments resulting from brain injury
Define
Attention
the ability to focus on or select on stimulus or process while ignoring another; it has at least three components (i.e. attention span, focused attention and selective)
Definition
usually considered functions of the right cerebral hemisphere, include the ability to perceive and understand visuo-spatial relationships and undertake three-dimensional constructional tasks
Visuo-spatial functions
Definition
the ability to encode and perceive visual, auditory and somatosensory stimuli reliably and accurately
Sensory functions
Definition
a branch of psychology that aims to study the relationships between the brain and behaviour
Neuropsychology
Definition
the application of neuropsychological tests and other data-collection techniques to answer referral questions or solve problems for individuals with a known or suspected brain injury
Neuropsychological assessment
Definition
abilities such as lateral dominance, strength, fine motor skills (speed and dexterity), sensorimotor integration and praxis
Motor functions
Definition
the ability to encode, store and retrieve past information
Memory
Definition
for most right-handers, the function of the left cerebral hemisphere; it includes the ability to understand and produce speech
Language
Definition
higher-level functions considered to be mediated by the prefrontal lobes; responsible for goal-directed behaviours, these functions usually include components such as working memory, concept formation, problem solving and planning
Executuve functions
Definition
a sub-branch of neuropsychology that is applied in nature and concerned with the assessment and treatment of cognitive impairments resulting from brain injury
Clinical neuropsychology
Definition
the ability to focus on or select on stimulus or process while ignoring another; it has at least three components (i.e. attention span, focused attention and selective)
Attention
___________ is the branch of psychology that focuses on the relationship between brain functioning and behaviour
Neuropsychology is the branch of psychology that focuses on the relationship between brain functioning and behaviour
Damage to the temporal lobes could result in what?
damage could impact sound discrimination, comprehension, memory, emotional regulation, identification of visual objects
Damage to the occipital lobe could result in what?
damage can result in blindness, poor recall of visual imagery, impaired visual scanning
Damage to the parietal lobes could result in what?
damage can result in impaired sense of touch, visuospatial difficulties, apraxia
Damage to the frontal lobe could result in what?
damage can result in impaired concentration and attention,impaired abstraction, problem solving, reasoning, initiation, and decision making
What is Acalculia?
inability to perform arithmetic calculations
What is Agraphia?
deficit in writing ability
What is Akinesia?
deficit in motor movements
What is Amnesia?
loss of memory
What is Aphasia?
deficit in communication due to impaired speech or writing ability
What is Apraxia?
voluntary movement disorder in the absence of paralysis
What is the role of a clinical neuropsychologist?
Clinical neuropsychologists provide assessments and treatment recommendations for people experiencing difficulties with memory, learning, attention, language, reading, problem-solving, decision-making or other aspects of behaviour and thinking abilities. Neuropsychologists also provide treatment that may employ cognitive, educational, behavioural or psychosocial methods
What settings do clinical neuropsychologists work in?
Hospitals
Private Clinic / Private Practice
Forensic
Research Unit
Academia
Schools
Community Rehabilitation Settings
_____________________ can be defined as the evaluation of brain and nervous system functioning as it relates to behaviour
Neuropsychology assessment can be defined as the evaluation of brain and nervous system functioning as it relates to behaviour
What Conditions prompt referral for Neuropsychological assessment?
- BRAIN INJURY
- Acquired, Traumatic
- NEUROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
- Epilepsy, Hydrocephalus, MS, PD
- MEDICAL
- Infectious diseases (acquired immune deficiency syndrome), vascular disease, tumor
- DEMENTIA SYNDROMES
- Alzheimer’s Disease, vascular dementia, fronto-temporal dementia
- PSYCHIATRIC
- Schizophrenia, major depression
- LEARNING DIFFICULTIES/DEVELOPMENTAL DELAY
- Autism, ADHD, specific learning disability (e.g., reading)
How can neuropsychological assessment be useful?
- Provides a detailed profile of the patient’s strengths and weaknesses
- Can aid in the diagnosis of cognitive impairment, particularly in cases where changes are subtle and not evident on screening assessments or neuroimaging
- It helps with diagnosis and treatment planning for people experiencing difficulties with memory, attention, language or other aspects of cognition or behaviour.
- Because neuropsychological conditions can worsen or improve with time and treatment, neuropsychological assessment is valuable as it provides a baseline for future comparison of changes over time.
- It can also be used in predicting and enhancing social, educational and vocational outcomes.
- The results of the assessment can be used to assist with developing individual treatment recommendations or plans
Neuropsychology is the branch of psychology that focuses on the ________ brain function and __________.
Options:
- relationship between*
- genetics*
- the environment*
- impact of*
- behaviour*
Neuropsychology is the branch of psychology that focuses on the relationship between brain function and behaviour.
The parietal lobes are primarily responsible for:
Options:
- Auditory and sensory processing*
- Executive functions*
- Visual processing*
- Sensory processing and integration*
- Sound discrimination, voice recognition and comprehension*
- Concentration and attention .*
The parietal lobes are primarily responsible for Sensory processing and integration
Which of the following are roles of a clinical neuropsychologist?
Select one or more:
Psychoeducation and counselling
Planning rehabilitation
Behaviour management
Proposing recommendations
Which of the following are roles of a clinical neuropsychologist?
Select one or more:
Psychoeducation and counselling
Planning rehabilitation
Behaviour management
Proposing recommendations
True or false:
The science-practitioner model of assessment proposes that all clinical practice, including diagnosis, intervention, and evaluation, should be informed by the content and methods of science.
True
During the clinical interview, the neuropsychologist may assess ________, which refers to changes in behaviour and ________, and __________, which refers to changes in __________.
Options:
- Participant resitriction*
- Activity limitation*
- Performance of tasks*
- Life roles*
During the clinical interview, the neuropsychologist may assess activity limitation, which refers to changes in behaviour and performance of tasks, and participation restriction, which refers to changes in life roles.
What are the primary types of test batteries used in neuropsychological testing?
Select one or more:
Fixed
Qualitative
Flexible
Quantitative
What are the primary types of test batteries used in neuropsychological testing?
Select one or more:
Fixed
Qualitative
Flexible
Quantitative
True or false:
The first 30 minutes of the session will typically see the client performing at their best level. As such, we should start the session with the most difficult test.
False
While the first 30 minutes are indeed typically the client’s best, and while you should place some of the more difficult tests within this time period, you should not start with the most difficult test.
One test of visual construction is the ______________ test.
Options:
- Grooved Pegboard*
- Judgement of Line Orientation*
- Visual Discrimination*
- Ray Complex Figure*
One test of visual construction is the Ray Complex Figure test.
The Stroop test is an example of a(n) ____________ test.
Options:
- Abstraction*
- Working memory*
- Response inhibition*
- Shifting*
The Stroop test is an example of a(n) Response inhibition test.
Imagine you are in a session with a neuropsychologist. She asks you to name as many vegetables as you possibly can in 60 seconds. After you have finished, you see her noting some things down. What might she be interested in?
Select one or more:
Response inhibition
Any period of silence that exceeds 3 seconds
Number of errors
Complexity of the answers
Number of repetitions
Imagine you are in a session with a neuropsychologist. She asks you to name as many vegetables as you possibly can in 60 seconds. After you have finished, you see her noting some things down. What might she be interested in?
Select one or more:
Response inhibition
Any period of silence that exceeds 3 seconds
Number of errors
Complexity of the answers
Number of repetitions
The Behavioural Assessment of Dysexecutive Syndrome (BADS) measures _________ problems associated with ___________ in ___________ function.
Options:
- Executive*
- Parietal lobe*
- Lower‑order*
- Deficits*
- Organisational*
- Everyday*
- Motor*
- Mathematical*
The Behavioural Assessment of Dysexecutive Syndrome (BADS) measures everyday problems associated with deficits in executive function.
Which test is shown here?
Select one:
a. Trail making test
b. Hayling test
c. Tower of London test
d. Test of everyday attention
Which test is shown here?
Select one:
a. Trail making test
b. Hayling test
c. Tower of London test
d. Test of everyday attention
A paediatric neuropsychological assessment may involve interviews with:
Select one or more:
The child
The child’s teachers
The child’s parents
The child’s friends
A paediatric neuropsychological assessment may involve interviews with:
Select one or more:
The child
The child’s teachers
The child’s parents
The child’s friends
What is a fixed battery of tests?
group of tests used on all clients regardless of referral question designed to comprehensively sample the client’s cognitive functioning.
What is a flexible battery of tests?
consists of a range of tests selected specifically in the context of the referral question and the client’s presenting problem.
Typically, neuropsychologists prefer a fixed/flexible neuropsychological battery when conducting a neuropsychological assessment
Typically, neuropsychologists prefer a flexible neuropsychological battery when conducting a neuropsychological assessment
Why is the order of instruments administered important?
Never start with a tough one but take into account that the first 30 min will be their best → place some of your more difficult tests in here
What do Perceptual/Motor Assessments include?
- Visual Perception (Visual Discrimination Test, Judgment of Line Orientation Test)
- Visual Integration (Hooper Visual Organisation Test)
- Visual Construction (Rey Complex Figure –Copy)
- Clock Drawing
- Motor Speed (Finger Tapping)
- Motor Dexterity (Grooved Pegboard)
What do Language Assessments include?
- Perception (sound, phonemic)
- Comprehension (rule following tests)
- Production (free speech analysis)
- Repetition
- Reading/Writing
- Semantics (access, concepts)
- Naming
What do Attention and Speed Assessments include?
- Attentional Span (Digits)
- Sustained Attention (Cancellation tests)
- Divided Attention (TMT B)
- Speed (Coding, TMT A)
What do Memory Assessments include?
- Episodic memory
- Verbal learning and memory: Word Lists, Logical Memory
- Visual Memory: Rey Complex (but watch perceptual/motor skills)
What do Executive Function Assessments include?
- Abstraction (Similarities, Proverbs, 10 Questions)
- Working Memory (Letter Number Sequencing)
- Planning (Tower of London)
- Response Inhibition (Stroop, Hayling)
- Shifting (Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Trail Making Test)
What is the Controlled Oral Word Associations Test?
- Evaluates executive function, specifically the spontaneous production of words under restricted search conditions
- Things to consider: Impulsive responses, number of errors, number of repetitions
How do you administer the Controlled Oral Word Associations Test?
Standardised: The examiner says a letter of the alphabet and the test taker is asked to say as many words as possible that begin with that letter in a 60 second period. There is also a category task, where the test taker is asked to say as many animals/vegetables/names as they can.
What is the Behavioural Assessment of the Dysexecutive Syndrome (BADS)?
- A battery of tasks designed to assess everyday problems associated with deficits in executive function.
- This is designed to elicit problems with planning and organising behaviour and prioritising between sets of tasks.
- Dysexecutive Questionnaire (DEX) that can be administered to clients to and a significant other to determine reported changes in behaviour, emotion, personality, motivation and cognition.
- This test is considered to have high ecological validity
What is the Trail Making Test (TMT)?
- measure of attention, speed and mental flexibility.
- TMT-A requires the individual to connect numbers on a page in sequence from 1- 25 without lifting the pencil off the paper.
- TMT-B requires the individual to alternate between numbers and the alphabet.
- Norms widely available
What are some important differences between child and adult neuropsychological practice?
- Maturation is paramount force of child neuropsychology
- Adult brain-behaviour relationship rules do not apply to children
- A model of normal development provides clinical critical context
- Child neuropsychological methods are distinctive
- Genetic, socio-environmental and family factors are important for evaluation
