Diagnostic Clarification:
Neuropsychological evaluation aids in the differential diagnosis of childhood and adult neurological conditions as well as pseudo-neurological conditions. It also helps determine the course of cerebral dysfunction and to estimate the degree to which psychological factors are involved in the patient's symptoms.
Educational and Rehabilitation Planning:
Neuropsychological test data are used in the planning and development of remedial education or rehabilitation programs for people with neurological and/or behavioral disorders.
Evaluation of Recovery or Treatment:
Through repeated evaluations, neuropsychological data are useful in assessing the recovery of an individual from neurological damage or in determining the effects of pharmacological, surgical, educational or rehabilitation efforts.
Estimating Prognosis:
Neuropsychological testing is frequently helpful in predicting the eventual degree of recovery from neurological injury or disease. The types of tests used depend on the patient's age and the nature of the problem, but frequently include measures of general intelligence, abstract reasoning, language, attention, memory, sensory and perceptual functions, motor skills, academic achievement, and systematic behavioral observations. Measures of personality are often used to determine whether emotional states, such as anxiety or depression, are significant factors in understanding the patient's condition and need to be considered in developing a comprehensive treatment plan. Forensic neuropsychological evaluations are also available (i.e., IME, disability determination, personal injury, competency, criminal matters). The amount of time required for an evaluation depends on the nature of the problem and the patient's condition, but usually varies between four and eight hours.
