Neurologist vs Neuropsychologist & Neuropsych Testing

Concussion Follow-Up

  • Persistent symptoms (word-finding, forgetfulness) despite normal MRI/CAT ⇒ likely functional, not structural, deficit.

Neurologist vs Neuropsychologist

  • Neurologist
    • Medical doctor (MD).
    • Treats diseases of brain/nerves: epilepsy, Parkinson’s, stroke, etc.
    • Performs physical/neurological exams, orders imaging, prescribes medication.
  • Neuropsychologist
    • PhD/psychologist; studies brain–behavior relationships.
    • Uses standardized cognitive tests to locate & quantify functional deficits.
    • Does NOT prescribe medication; often collaborates with neurologists.

Core Neuropsychological Batteries

  • WAIS (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale)
    • Broad assessment: memory, attention, perception, language, processing speed.
    • Produces domain scores compared to population norms (reported as percentiles, not a single IQ number).
  • Child version: WISC.
  • Differs from Stanford–Binet IQ (knowledge-heavy, less functional).

Language-Focused Tests

  • Multilingual Aphasia Exam: screens for global language impairments.
  • Boston Naming Test: measures object-name retrieval.
  • Verbal Fluency Test: assesses rapid word generation by category/letter.
  • Targets disorders like aphasia (broad) and anomia (word-finding).

Executive & Attention Tests

  • Trail Making Test: connects numbered/lettered dots in order; gauges sequencing & processing speed.
  • Wisconsin Card Sorting Task: measures cognitive flexibility & ability to shift rules; sensitive to frontal-lobe dysfunction.

Interpretation of Scores

  • Results compared to large normative sample.
  • Placement expressed as percentile (e.g., 75%75\% means scoring better than 75%75\% of peers).
  • Classification: below average ((

Key Takeaways

  • Normal scans do not rule out post-concussion cognitive issues.
  • Neurologist treats medical conditions; neuropsychologist pinpoints functional cognitive/behavioral deficits.
  • Comprehensive testing identifies specific impairments and guides targeted rehabilitation.