What is a Neuropsychologist?
A clinical neuropsychologist is a licensed psychologist who specializes in understanding brain functions. They have an expertise in how thinking skills, emotions, and behavior are related to brain structures and systems. In this context, they provide detailed recommendations to treatment providers, patients, and the patient's family and/or care providers to help improve the care for and quality of life of the individual needing services.
What is a Neuropsychological Evaluation?
Neuropsychological evaluations (NPE) at Brooks Rehabilitation Center assist patients, family members and/or care providers, and treatment providers better understand the thinking skills, emotional functioning, and behaviors of the individual undergoing the evaluation.
- The NPE assists doctors and other professionals understand how the different areas and systems of the brain are working.
- Through the use of standardized tests and procedures, a completed NPE provides an in-depth understanding about the patient's thinking skills (e.g., attention, memory, language skills, visuo-perceptual skills, motor and sensory skills, higher-order executive functions - planning, organizing, problem solving), and psychological state.
- A very detailed assessment of abilities is done, and the pattern of strengths and weakness is used to assist in diagnosis, treatment, and recommendations to improve quality of life.
When is Neuropsychological Evaluation Needed?
An NPE is recommended for any case in which brain-based impairment/disturbance in thinking skills or behavior is suspected. Common patient populations assessed include:
- Traumatic brain injury: Concussion, Mild, Moderate, Severe
- Strokes
- Individuals who are experiencing memory difficulties without a known cause
- Brain Tumor
- Dementing conditions (e.g., Alzheimer's disease)
- Neuropsychiatric disorders
- Seizure disorders
- Medical illness (e.g., encephalopathy, metabolic disturbances; heart conditions; sleep apnea)
- Pre and Post Medical Intervention (e.g., pre/post CABG; Deep Brain Stimulation)
- Effects of toxic chemicals or chronic substance abuse
- Movement disorders (e.g., Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease)
- Forensic Cases
How can the Test Results help you?
- Confirm or clarify a diagnosis.
- Discuss the recovery process and possible outcomes to resulting from various neurological conditions.
- Discuss practical implications of the patient's difficulties with thinking skills (e.g., return to work or school; living disposition; capability to operate a motor vehicle; determining decision-making capacity, etc.)
- Provide a profile of strengths and weaknesses to guide rehabilitation, educational, vocational, or other services.
- Document changes in functioning since prior examinations, including effects of treatment.
- Clarify what compensatory strategies would help optimize the patient's functionality.
- Result in referrals to other specialists, such as educational therapists, cognitive rehabilitation professionals, neurologists, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, nurses, special education teachers, or vocational counselors.
- Provide guidance to family members or caregivers.
How do I schedule a Neuropsychological Evaluation or learn more about them?
Dr. Russell Addeo is our outpatient neuropsychologist. For more information or to schedule an appointment please call (904) 858-7394.