Psychologists go to school for many years to learn how to administer and interpret neuropsych and other psychological evaluations. Here’s a bit of background information to help non-psychologists understand the science behind a neuropsych assessment.
What Is Neuropsych Testing?
Neuropsychological testing is a scientific method of evaluating someone’s brain and behavioral functioning. It can help understand the impact of brain injury (like a TBI), medical problems (like a stroke or chemotherapy), or mental health concerns (like depression or ADHD) on a person's ability to think, learn, remember, and do everyday tasks.
The Science Behind Neuropsych Testing
The science behind neuropsych testing is based on the understanding that different areas of the brain are responsible for different cognitive functions. For example:
Frontal lobes are responsible for executive functions such as planning, organizing, and problem-solving.
Temporal lobes are responsible for language processing
Parietal lobes are responsible for spatial processing
These brain area/brain function connections have been studied for many decades by psychologists and neuroscientists, and researchers are constantly learning new information about how our brains work.
What Can Neuropsych Tests Measure?
Neuropsychological tests are designed to measure specific brain functions. For example, there are common tests that measure:
Attention
Memory
Processing speed
Language
Visual and spatial skills
Executive functions
A comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation will include tests that measure these areas, and possibly more. The exact tests a psychologist chooses will depend on the question being asked.
For example, I would choose one test battery to assess for dementia, and another to assess for ADHD. In any case, a comprehensive approach is best, rather than going in with an assumption about what’s going on, and testing only that area. If we suspect a person has the beginnings of dementia and only test memory, we might miss other important information that would help with a specific diagnosis. Or, if we only test attention in ADHD, we could miss a learning disability or other problem that is causing difficulty with attention or behavior. Neuropsych testing is as much an art as a science in many ways, which is why it’s important to choose a psychologist with expertise in the issue you want to know about.
How Neuropsych Testing Is Interpreted
The results of neuropsychological testing are interpreted by a neuropsychologist or a psychologist with expertise in neuropsychology. The psychologist will compare the person's test scores to norms for people of the same age, education, and gender. Norms are average scores of a large group of people who have taken a test. This allows us to identify areas of cognitive weakness or impairment, in comparison to what is expected for someone of the same age and education level.
The Benefits of Neuropsych Testing
Neuropsychological testing can be used to diagnose a variety of brain-related disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, dementia, traumatic brain injury, learning disorders, ADHD, and autism. It can also be used to assess the effects of a brain injury or disease on a person's ability to function in everyday life.
Neuropsych testing can help:
Identify brain problems that may not be apparent from a physical exam or medical history.
Diagnose brain-related disorders.
Assess the severity of a brain injury or disease.
Plan treatment and rehabilitation.
Monitor the progress of a brain injury or disease over time.
Begin Neuropsych Testing in Los Angeles, CA
Overall, neuropsych testing is a valuable and science-based tool for assessing the cognitive and behavioral functioning of people with concerns related to brain function. Dr. Reger provides psychological assessments at multiple locations in Southern California. You can schedule an appointment by following these steps:
Contact (424) 262-1925 to schedule your appointment
Meet with a Los Angeles Psychologist for psychological testing
Gain a better understanding of yourself!
OTHER SERVICES OFFERED WITH DR. REGER IN LOS ANGELES, CA
I am happy to offer psych evaluations and a variety of other assessments. Other assessments include cognitive and dementia testing, pre-surgical assessments, and med-legal evaluations. I also provide mental health services including individual therapy, counseling for older adults, and mental health consultations and presentations.