Neuropsychological Assessment

Neuropsychology

focus on the relationship between brain functioning and behavior (IQ + PERSONALITY)

Neuropsychological testing

It tests for a range of mental functions, like reading, language use, attention, learning, processing speed, reasoning, remembering, and problem-solving, as well as mood and behavior. To test brain functioning and possible brain damage; More on the use of objects rather than pen-and-paper.

Behavioral Neurology

a subspecialty within the medical specialty of neurology that also focuses on brain-behavior relationships

Brain Damage

general reference to any physical or functional impairment in the CNS

Acalculia or Dyscalculia

inability to perform arithmetic calculations

Agnosia

deficit in recognizing sensory stimuli

Agraphia or disgraphia

deficit in writing ability

Akinesia

deficit in motor movements

Alexia

inability to read

Amnesia

loss of memory

Amusia

deficit in ability to produce or appreciate music

Anopia

deficit in sight

Aphasia

deficit in communication due to impaired speech or writing ability

Apraxia

voluntary movement disorder in the absence of paralysis

Ataxia

deficit in motor ability and muscular coordination

What does a neuropsychological evaluation test for?

• General intellect.

• Reading/reading comprehension.

• Your ability to use language and understand what others say.

• Attention/concentration.

• Processing speed

• Learning and memory

• Reasoning.

• Executive functions - tasks or performance that needs cognitive functioning

• Your ability to understand the relationships between objects and space (visuospatial)

• Mood and personality

• Fine and motor skills

*commonly to children with delays

Objective of Neuropsychological Evaluation

draw inferences about the structural and functional characteristics of a person’s brain by evaluating an individual’s behavior in defined stimulus-response situations.

Hard Sign

defined as an indicator of a definite neurological deficit. Tasks that need big movements and thinking.
Ex. Collecting the blocks and arranging them from smallest to largest.

Soft sign

indicator that is merely suggestive of neurological deficits; need for small or basic movements only. Movement only of the fingers.
Ex. Connecting the dots and identifying the colors or shapes.

Elements of Neuropsych Evaluation

1. History Taking - developmental bg of the child

2. Case History

3. Interview - interviewing the parents if the child is not capable to ask.

4. Neuropsychological Mental Status Examination

Pattern Analysis

examiner looks beyond performance on individual tests to study of the pattern of test scores; check IQ, mood and behavior, and neuropsych testing. Checking the pattern or consistency of the results.

Symptom commonly associated with neuropsych deficit

regardless of the site or exact cause of problem, is inability or lessened ability to think abstractly

Test to Evaluate Abstract Thinking

1. The Proverbs Test

2. Object Sorting Test - sorting similar objects

3. Color-Form Sorting Test - sorting by colors

4. Wisconsin Card Sorting Test-64 Card Version

*needs objects and materials

Executive Functions

look at motor tests, how they will evaluate objects, and perceptual-motor tests (how the mind and body integrate for motor movements)

Measures of Executive Functions

1. Towers of Hanoi

2. Mazes - decision-making is also measured

3. Clock-Drawing Tests - used to test schizophrenia

4. Bender Visual-Motor Gestalt Test (BVMGT)

Perceptual Test

general reference to any of many instruments and procedures used to evaluate varied aspects of sensory functioning

Motor Test

reference to any of many instruments and procedures used to evaluate varied aspects of one’s ability and mobility

Perceptual-Motor Test

any of many instruments and procedures used to evaluate the integration or coordination of perceptual and motor abilities; Bender Visual-Motor Gestalt Test

Bender Visual-Motor Gestalt Test (BVMGT)

• used to evaluate visual-motor functioning, visual-perceptual skills, neurological impairment, and emotional disturbances in children and adults.

• assess brain damage and neurological deficits.

• Consists of 9 figures, each on its own 3 × 5 card.

• Administration: An examine presents each figure to the test subject one at a time and asks the subject to copy it onto a single piece of blank paper and use the manual to check.

• Other info: 3 - 85 years old; no time limit but can administer in 10 - 20 minutes.

*different administration to 4 - 7 and 8 years and older.

Fixed Battery

group of test pre-modified before the assessment; automatically given ang neuropsych test

Fixed Battery Test Examples

1. Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery

2. Luria Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery

Flexible Battery

consisting of an assortment of instruments hand-picked for some purpose relevant to the unique aspects of the patient and the presenting problem; bibigyan lang ng neuropsych test if needed.

Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery

class neuropsychological test battery, associated with dysfunction in 2 or more brain hemispheres; measures the general or normal people to check the problem in their left or right hemisphere.

Ex. Trail Making Test - connect the dots based on the arrangement of numbers. Grip strength test and finger tapping

Severe Impairment Battery (SIB)

designed for use with severely impaired assessees who might otherwise perform at or near the floor of existing tests

Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery Measures

1. language

2. attention

3. motor dexterity - how fast the child can perform the task

4. sensory–motor integration

5. abstract thinking

6. memory

Age to administer the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery

15 years and older

5 CORE Subtest of Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery

1. the Category Test

2. Tactual Performance Test

3. Seashore Rhythm Test

4. Speech Sounds Perception Test

5. Finger Tapping Test

5 OPTIONAL subtest of Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery

1. The Trail Making Test

2. Reitan Indiana Aphasia Screening Test

3. Reitan–Klove Sensory Perceptual Examination

4. Grip Strength Test

5. Lateral Dominance Examination

Luria Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery

269 items administered in approximately 2- 3 hours for 8-12 years old; Measures the brain functioning with subscales of general knowledge.

Subsections of Luria Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery

1. motor functions

2. rhythm

3. tactile

4. visual

5. receptive speech

6. expressive speech

7. reading

8. arithmetic

9. skills

10. memory

11. intellectual processes.

California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT)

• measures verbal learning and memory by presenting a list of words to the test taker and assessing their ability to recall them immediately and after a delay

• determines how errors are made in learning tasks

• Paper and pencil, computer administered test

• Use to compare alzheimers, korsakoff, huntingtons

Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test

for age 2-90 yrs old and not used with people who are deaf, measures of intelligence through hearing, provided 204 plates and pictures. Not a substitute for the WISC of SB-5; independent test.

Leiter Intellectual Performance Scale

for 3-75 yrs old measures performance and verbal aspect; measures the general IQ of an individual.

Porteus Maze Test

supplementary to WAIS, non-verbal performance; test for functioning and executive functioning. Pen and paper test and through writing.

Columbia Mental Maturity Scale (CMMS)

alternative to WISC and SB-5 for children with cerebral palsy; measures the intellectual disability, brain damage.

Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (KABC-III)

for young children 3 to 18 years old to measures brain functioning; if fitted ba yung chronological age sa cognitive functioning or mental age.