Neuropsychological Assessment Overview

Neuropsychological assessment, also known as neuropsychological testing, refers to a series of tests used by psychologists and other healthcare professionals to evaluate cognitive functions such as attention, learning, perception, memory, problem solving, coordination, and emotional behavior. This type of assessment is commonly used to identify brain injuries, diseases, or disorders that affect these cognitive abilities, particularly after neurological events like strokes or traumatic brain injury. It can help determine if a patient has difficulty processing information due to brain damage, how well they can communicate, remember things, solve problems, pay attention, make decisions, and plan actions. Neuropsychological assessments may also be used to monitor changes in cognition over time, track progress in treatment, and provide guidance on rehabilitation strategies. The evaluation often involves both objective measures (e.g., reaction times, errors made during tasks) and subjective observations by trained clinicians skilled in interpreting test results.