Neuropsychological Test: An Overview
Neuropsychological tests are tools used to assess cognitive functioning, often in the context of neurological disorders. These tests are used to evaluate various aspects of mental performance including memory, attention, language, problem solving, and executive functioning. Neuropsychological tests are often used to diagnose and assess the severity of conditions such as dementia, traumatic brain injury, stroke, ADHD, and learning disabilities.
Neuropsychological tests generally involve the administration of a variety of tasks that assess different areas of cognitive functioning. The tasks presented in a neuropsychological assessment typically include paper-and-pencil tasks such as memory recall, language tests, and executive functioning tasks. Neuropsychological tests are often administered by a trained healthcare provider and scored according to established criteria. Neuropsychological test results are then used to help diagnose or assess the severity of a neurological disorder.
Neuropsychological tests are an important tool for evaluating the cognitive functioning of individuals with neurological conditions. These tests allow healthcare providers to accurately diagnose and monitor diseases and disorders which can help improve patient outcomes. Neuropsychological tests also provide valuable information for research studies aimed at understanding the underlying neurological processes of various neurological disorders.
References
American Psychological Association. (2020). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
Kotrla, K. J., & Meloy, M. J. (2014). Neuropsychological assessment. In K. J. Kotrla (Ed.), Comprehensive textbook of psychiatry (9th ed., pp. 515-531). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer.
Lezak, M. D., Howieson, D. B., Bigler, E. D., & Tranel, D. (2012). Neuropsychological assessment (5th ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.