Neuropsychological testing (original) (raw)
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Neuropsychological assessment is perhaps the most important domain in neuropsychology. It allows for an in-depth and comprehensive evaluation of various cognitive domains, development of strategies for remediation and methods of management of neurobehavioral disorders. There has been constant advancement in the tools, techniques, and area under study. Purpose of this article is to discuss issues related to neuropsychological assessment approaches, tools, methodologies etc in this context, outlining the development of tests, role of computer, and limitations. This paper examines the major body of empirical research on neuropsychological assessment. It also provides recommendation for future research.
Neuropsychological assessment : An overview
Bengal Journal of Psychiatry
Man’s interest in the relationship between the brain and behaviour extends back at least 2500 years. The study of brain behaviour relationship evolved with the development of a science of human behaviour based on the function of human brain, known as neuropsychology. Clinical neuropsychology in the 20th century showed a steady accumulation of clinical reports and research investigations that have gradually refined the theoretical positions. However, assessment relies heavily on the use of specific tests to investigate brain-behaviour relationships. There has been several specific standerdized tests as well as test batteries developed across the globe. Current article has focused on different neuropsychological test batteries to evaluate individuals suspected of having brain dysfunction or damage.
Neuropsychological Assessment: Review of the literature
isara solutions, 2019
Neuropsychological processes refer to the psychological processes, which mediate through the central nervous system and brain. Cognitive, emotional and behavioral were the psychological processes, that get affected in the brain pathology. The affected area of the brain cannot function, which result into different neuropsychological impairments. Neuropsychological test batteries, cognitive assessment and cognitive psychiatry are the terms popular in behavioral sciences for the brain- behavior assessment. PGI battery of brain dysfunction, AIIMS comprehensive neuropsychological battery in Hindi (Adult form), and NIMHANS neuropsychological battery has been the testing procedures developed in India. Neuropsychological testing has important role in the understanding of the patients for the total management of rehabilitation measures. These assessment helps to reduce disability or handicap and increase functional independence by improving the patient’s life. The present article summerized the potential relevance of neuropsychological assessment in the clinical practice in the patients with the brain dysfunction.
Neuropsychological testing and assessment for dementia
Alzheimer's & Dementia, 2007
This evidence-based review examines the utility of brief cognitive tests and neuropsychological testing (NPT) in the detection and diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia. All patients presenting with cognitive complaints are recommended to have a brief screening test administered to document the presence and severity of memory/cognitive deficits. There is fair evidence to support the use of a range of new screening tests that can detect MCI and mild dementia with higher sensitivity (Ն80%) than the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE). NPT should be part of a clinically integrative approach to the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of dementia. It should be applied selectively to address specific clinical and diagnostic issues including: 1) The distinction between normal cognitive functioning in the aged, MCI and early dementia: there is fair evidence that NPT can document the presence of specific diagnostic criteria and provide additional useful information on the pattern of memory/cognitive impairment. 2) The evaluation of risk for Alzheimer disease (AD) or other types of dementia in persons with MCI: there is fair evidence that NPT measures or profiles can predict progression to dementia (predictive accuracy ranges from ϳ80 to 100%, sensitivities from 53 to 80%, and specificities from 67 to 99%). 3) Differential diagnosis: There is fair evidence that NPT can complement clinical history and neuroimaging in determining the dementia etiology. Different dementia types have distinguishable NPT profiles though these may be stage-dependent, and increased sensitivity may be at the expense of specificity. 4) When NPT is part of a comprehensive assessment, which also entails clinical interviews and consideration of other clinical data, there is good evidence that it can contribute to management decisions in MCI and dementia, including the determination of retained and impaired cognitive abilities, their functional and vocational impact, and opportunities for cognitive rehabilitation.
Sensitivity and specificity of the neuropsychological impairment scale (NIS)
Journal of Clinical Psychology, 1984
Background. Early diagnosis of dementia is important for those who might benefit from treatment. We designed a brief comprehensive neuropsychological test battery to help differentiate control subjects from patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia. Method. The battery included tests of memory, attention, executive function, speed, perception and visuospatial skills. It was administered to subjects from the OPTIMA cohort : 51 controls, 29 with MCI, 60 with 'possible ' or 'probable ' Alzheimer's disease (AD) (NINCDS/ADRDA) and 12 with cerebrovascular disease (CVD). Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare performance of controls with other diagnostic groups. The sensitivity and specificity of the tests were determined using Receiver Operating Characteristic curve analyses. The effects of age, gender and years of education on test performance were determined with Spearman's rank correlations. Results. The AD group performed worse than controls on all tests except an attention task. The Hopkins Verbal Learning Test and The Placing Test for episodic memory showed significant discriminative capacity between controls and other groups. Attention and processing speed tests discriminated CVD from controls. Category fluency, episodic memory tests and the CLOX test for executive function distinguished MCI from AD. Spearman's correlations showed negative associations between age and processing speed. Years of education affected performance on all tests, except The Placing Test. Conclusions. Certain neuropsychological tests have been shown to be sensitive and specific in the differential diagnosis of various types of dementia and may prove to be useful for detection of MCI.
The Behavioural Neurology Assessment
The Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences, 2005
ABSTRACT:Background:We present information regarding the standardization, reliability and clinical validity of two versions of the Behavioural Neurology Assessment (BNA). The BNA-Long Form consists of 24 subtests within separate domains: Attention, Memory, Language, Visuospatial Function, Executive Function, and Praxis. The BNA-Short Form consists of 13 subtests within the domains of Attention, Memory, Naming, Visuospatial Function and Executive Function. In addition to individual domain indices, a Grand Total score was calculated for both BNA versions.Objective:To standardize the administration and scoring and validate the BNA for detection of dementia.Methods:Standardized normative data were obtained on 115 healthy subjects ranging in age from 50 to 95. Test-retest stability was obtained on 19 subjects and clinical validity was investigated by administering the BNA and Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) to 29 patients with dementia and 29 age-matched healthy subjects (controls)...
Neuropsychological assessment: experimental and clinical research
Neurological Sciences, 2010
The neuropsychological assessment is a method of examining the human brain functions by studying its behavioural products. Even though clinical and experimental neuropsychological fields share the same psychometric tools and methods of analysis it is important to keep in mind that in the experimental domain the choice of the assessment methods depends to some extent either on the aim of the study and on the specific sample features. This contribution describes the neuropsychological assessment used in the evaluation of the cognitive functions in subjects affected by multiple sclerosis (MS), considering both its main strengths and weaknesses, with specific attention to the research area of intervention. An important point of discussion will be the relevance of sharing rules and methods of analysis in determining cognitive impairment.
Doing and reporting a neuropsychological assessment1
2011
The process of neuropsychological assessment involves several stages. Having identified the objectives and analysed the characteristics of the participants to be tested the task is then to select appropriate tests and to administer, score and interpret them. The final stage involves writing the clinical or scientific report. The present paper begins with a brief overview of the history of neuropsychology and considers approaches to assessment and the main reference books on assessment. The most prestigious journals in the field are also listed. This is followed by a discussion of the most important aspects to be considered in each stage of clinical assessment or research, complemented by guidelines regarding the publication of neuropsychological assessments; mainly in relation to method participants, assessment, statistical analysis and results. This information is also presented in the form of a table in which a distinction is made between those aspects which are considered essenti...