What is Neuropsychology?

Neuropsychology looks at how brain health affects thinking skills and behavior.

Do I need a Neuropsychological Evaluation?

You should generally have a neuropsychological evaluation when you have a noticeable change in your thinking or memory. An evaluation helps to determine if your problems are caused by any of the following:

  • Disease, such as Alzheimer’s or Dementia

  • Brain injury/Concussion

  • Aging

  • Emotional disorders, such as Depression or Anxiety

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So, What is a Neuropsychological Evaluation?

These tests look at your:

  • Ability to think, understand, learn, and remember (cognition)

  • Attention span

  • Concentration

  • Memory

  • Perception (how well you take in what you see or read)

  • Problem-solving and decision-making skills

  • Verbal ability

The tests are usually administered using an iPad. Plus, Dr. Stein will also ask you a series of questions that you answer orally.

Neuropsychological tests are standardized, meaning that they are given in the same manner to all patients and scored the same way time after time. An individual’s scores on tests are interpreted by comparing their score to that of healthy individuals of a similar demographic background (i.e., of similar age, education, gender, and/or ethnic background) and to expected levels of functioning. In this way, a neuropsychologist can determine whether one’s performance on any given task represents a strength or weakness. 

How Can I Prepare for a Neuropsychological Evaluation?

These tests do not provide a "pass" or "fail" result. Instead, they describe how well a person performs relative to peers. There’s no specific way to “prepare” for the exam.  But, these steps will help us be more effective and efficient:

1) The patient should bring a current list of all medications and their respective dosage amounts.

2) If the patient has difficulty sharing their history, a family member or friend may be helpful during part of the interview.

3) It’s helpful if the patient can provide prior neurodiagnostic records (e.g., CT or MRI scans) and any previous neuropsychological evaluations from other hospitals or clinics.

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If you’re ever told you should undergo neuropsychological testing, understand that the tests are meant to get a picture of your brain health at this moment. Your thinking skills may get worse, or they may improve. When you and your doctor get more information about your brain now, you’ll both be able to make smarter decisions about your mental and physical health later.

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