Neuropsychology and Neuropsychologists
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary goal of neuropsychology?

  • To study the nervous system
  • To develop new medications
  • To diagnose dementia
  • To understand and treat patients with cognitive impairments (correct)
  • What is the role of neuropsychologists in diagnostic questions?

  • To provide a definitive diagnosis
  • To develop new diagnostic tests
  • To rule out other possible causes of symptoms
  • To contribute to diagnostic questions, such as diagnosing the type of dementia (correct)
  • What is a neuropsychological assessment used for?

  • To evaluate underlying cognition and behavior (correct)
  • To develop treatment plans
  • To diagnose specific diseases
  • To monitor patient progress
  • What is the significance of 'norming' in neuropsychological tests?

    <p>It allows for comparisons to a normal population of scores</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is dementia?

    <p>A collection of symptoms that co-occur</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of dementia cases are accounted for by Alzheimer's disease?

    <p>60 to 90 percent</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How can a definitive diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease be made?

    <p>Through autopsy evidence</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is required to become a neuropsychologist in Australia?

    <p>A specialized postgraduate course</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the most reliant genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease?

    <p>The ε4 variant of the apolipoprotein (APOE) gene</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the name of the protein that makes up neurofibrillary tangles in Alzheimer's disease?

    <p>Tau (τ) protein</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the disruption of the brain's blood supply that results in permanent tissue death?

    <p>Stroke</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the name of the genetic mutations that can be inherited as a dominant trait in Alzheimer's disease?

    <p>APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the abnormal patches of beta amyloid on axons and within blood vessels in Alzheimer's disease?

    <p>Amyloid plaques</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the four A's that characterize the neuropsychological features of Alzheimer's disease?

    <p>Aphasia, Apraxia, Agnosia, and Amnesia</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of haemorrhage occurs when there is a bleed directly into brain tissue?

    <p>Intracerebral haemorrhage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What can be used to help diagnose Alzheimer's disease?

    <p>Neuropsychological testing, biomarker evidence, and PET scans</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Neuropsychology and Neuropsychologists

    • Neuropsychology is a specialty field within psychology that seeks to understand and treat patients with cognitive impairments.
    • Neuropsychologists understand the relationships between the nervous system and behavior, and use this knowledge to:
      • Contribute to diagnostic questions, such as diagnosing the type of dementia.
      • Inform management/rehabilitation programs, assessing cognitive profiles and developing support strategies.
      • Conduct capacity assessments, determining decision-making capacity on their own behalf.
      • Assist with discharge planning, from hospital to home/rehab service.
      • Conduct medico-legal work, such as assessing NDIS funding.
      • Assess treatment response, evaluating patient improvement.
      • Plan educational strategies for children.
      • Conduct research.
    • In Australia, a specialized postgraduate course (Masters or Clinical PhD) is required to become a neuropsychologist.

    Neuropsychological Assessment

    • Neuropsychological assessment is the core of neuropsychological practice.
    • It involves using standardized instruments (neuropsychological tests) to evaluate underlying cognition and behavior.
    • Tests are "normed", meaning individual scores are compared to the normal population of scores.
    • Neuropsychologists can select tests based on hypotheses or administer a full battery of tests.
    • Factors that can impact test performance, such as pain, fatigue, depression, test anxiety, medications, and motivation, must be considered.

    Cognitive Domains

    • Classic cognitive domains assessed include:
      • Attention
      • Executive functions
      • Memory
      • Language
      • Visuospatial skills
      • Processing speed

    Neuropsychological Disorders

    • Dementia is a syndrome (a collection of symptoms) rather than a disease.
    • Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a disease process that accounts for 60-90% of all dementia cases.

    Alzheimer's Disease (AD)

    • A definitive diagnosis of AD can only be made post-mortem, requiring autopsy evidence.
    • Living patients are diagnosed with:
      • Probable AD, based on genetic testing, learning and memory impairments, and a steady decline in cognitive function without plateaus.
      • Possible AD, based on less clear evidence.
    • Diagnosis can be aided by neuropsychological testing, biomarker evidence (in CSF/Blood), PET scans, and MRI.
    • The ε4 variant of the apolipoprotein (APOE) gene is the most reliable genetic risk factor.
    • AD can also be inherited as a dominant trait due to mutations in three genes: APP, PSEN1, or PSEN2.

    AD - The Clinical Syndrome

    • The four A's summarize the neuropsychological features of AD:
      • Amnesia
      • Aphasia/Anomia
      • Apraxia
      • Agnosia

    AD - The Disease Process

    • Characterized by:
      • Neurofibrillary tangles (made of detached tau protein molecules)
      • Amyloid plaques (abnormal patches of beta amyloid on axons and within blood vessels)
      • Oxidative stress
      • Disruption of microRNAs (miRNA) functioning

    PET Scans for Amyloid

    • Used to diagnose AD

    Vascular Disease (Stroke)

    • A stroke is a disruption to the brain's blood supply, resulting in permanent tissue death.
    • Stroke can result from:
      • Hypertension (high blood pressure)
      • Structural abnormalities in the arteries serving the brain (e.g., aneurysm, AVM)
      • Blood diseases (e.g., leukemia)
      • Exposure to toxic chemicals

    Stroke - Cerebral Haemorrhage

    • Intracerebral haemorrhages: bleeds directly into brain tissue.
    • Subarachnoid haemorrhages: bleeds into the surface of the brain (spread via the pathways of the CSF).
    • Subdural haemorrhages: burst veins and arteries in meninges.

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    Explore the field of neuropsychology, its applications, and the role of neuropsychologists in diagnosing and treating cognitive impairments.

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