Abstract
This chapter will cover the basic concepts of neuropsychological assessment. This chapter will cover the main issues involved while assessing the person with brain damage. The process of neuropsychological assessment, relevant history for the purpose of comprehensive reporting of findings and responding to the referral questions, better understating of the goals of assessment, selection of the assessment approaches, issues involved in administration of the tests, theories involved while interpreting the test findings, and reporting of findings of the assessment will help the reader to understand holistic view of the individual's capacities.
TopChapter Outline
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Introduction
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History of neuropsychological assessment
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Types of neuropsychological assessment using in India
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Goals of Neuropsychological Assessment
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Approaches Neuropsychological assessment
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Neuropsychological Test Findings Interpretation
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Neuropsychological assessment process
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Conclusion
TopShort History Of Neuropsychological Assessment
Neuropsychological processes are very much evident from a very early period in history, the first attempt to localize cognitive facilities in the ventricles is generally attributed to Herophilius around 300 B.C. (Mann, 1979). Huarte (1529-1588) first proposed a localizationist position involving both ventricles and brain tissue (Hunt, 1869), and a century later Willis (1620-1675) made the complete translation of localization of function to the cerebrum (McHenry, 1969). Localization attempts during this period almost universally focused on finding a single area of the brain underlying all mental functions (Luria, 1966). Localization of specific functions by specific cortical areas was recognized early in the eighteenth century, and de Petit (1644-1771) demonstrated contralateral innervation in both man and dogs.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Test Interpretation: Neuropsychologists extract accurate information from their assessment procedures, draw accurate inferences from that information, and accurately convey the results to their clients and referring clinician in a manner they can understand.
Double Dissociation: If one can demonstrate that a lesion in brain structure A impairs function X but not Y, and further demonstrate that a lesion to brain structure B impairs function Y but spares function X, one can make more specific inferences about brain function and function localization.
Neuropsychological Functions: Use of specifically designed tasks to measure a psychological function known to be linked to a particular brain structure or pathway. These are used for research into brain function and in a clinical setting for the diagnosis of deficits.