Clinical Neuropsychology is the field that studies the relationship between brain functioning and behavior. In a sense, it is the bridge between neurology and psychology. It uses standardized testing protocols developed in psychology to explore changes to ones' thinking that can result from various neurological conditions or from other circumstances (i.e. the influence of medications used to treat other conditions, use of mood altering chemicals, or psychiatric conditions). In its infancy, it was used to assess brain injuries that occurred during wartime. These days, it can be applied in a wide range of situations, including developmental conditions (e.g. learning disabilities and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder), disorders related to aging (e.g. Alzheimer's disease), other neurodegenerative disorders (e.g. Parkinson's disease and Multiple Sclerosis), as well as strokes, AIDS Dementia Complex, Thyroid Disorders, Renal Disease, Autistic Spectrum Disorders, and brain injuries.

A Neuropsychological Evaluation can be an important part of the workup a person undergoes to establish what is contributing to his/her thinking and motor/movement problem(s). It helps with identifying the nature of the underlying problem(s) and with fine tuning appropriate courses of treatment.

In a neuropsychological evaluation, the brain and body are put to “work” by having the client show his/her ability to pay attention, utilize fine motor skills, learn and remember, solve different thinking problems, and generally demonstrate their cognitive/motor strengths and weaknesses. The patterns of strengths and weaknesses are interpreted and conclusions are drawn about the factors contributing to his/her difficulties and suggests different strategies to help treat and/or cope with various thinking and motor problems.

Common examples of “functional difficulties” include motor deficits, problems with attention or memory, other difficulties with thinking such as solving problems, exercising good judgment, or a more general feeling that they simply can't think as well as they used to.

The decision to seek a Neuropsychological Evaluation can be a sensitive issue. Sometimes, the patient is the one to raise a concern about mental functioning, while at other times it is family members or health professionals who raise the initial concern. We often hear family members recount stories detailing how their loved has “changed”, has become lost while driving, developed difficulty managing finances, asks the same questions repeatedly, or has become more withdrawn than usual. It can be a difficult decision for a family member to approach their loved one with these concerns for a number of reasons, including fears about how the neuropsychological evaluation findings could confirm a need for fundamental changes in how people organize their lives. Still, the results of a neuropsychological evaluation often are necessary to provide solid evidence of what has changed, identify the reason the change has occurred, describe what can be done to potentially reverse or minimize the change, and begin to guide people in their decision-making efforts to better manage their future.

Please feel free to contact us at 763-546-5797 so we may answer any questions regarding whether a Neuropsychological Evaluation is appropriate in your situation.

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