Neuropsychology helps us understand how different parts of the brain influence the way we think, learn, remember, communicate, and navigate the world. For many people, exploring neuropsychology can become especially meaningful when they start noticing changes in their mental functioning, such as memory concerns, difficulty concentrating, or shifts in behavior.

Whether you’re personally experiencing symptoms, supporting a loved one, or simply curious about how the brain and behavior are connected, learning more about neuropsychology can give you insight and clarity. If the time comes when you would like to seek professional mental health support, a psychologist, therapist, counselor, or other mental health professional may be able to help you better understand what’s going on beneath the surface.

What is neuropsychology?

Neuropsychology is the study of how higher cognitive functions, like memory, attention, language, and problem-solving, relate to specific structures and networks in the brain. It is a specialty field within clinical psychology that focuses on the relationship between brain and behavior.

Examples of higher cognitive functions include:

  • Solving puzzles and abstract problems
  • Maintaining attention and focus
  • Remembering information
  • Language and speech
  • Understanding spatial relationships
  • Coordinating motor and sensory skills

Neuropsychology also examines how these abilities can change when a person experiences a medical condition, injury, illness, or developmental difference.

How is neuropsychology different from cognitive neuroscience?

While both cognitive neuroscience and neuropsychology study the relationship between the brain and behavior, there are differences between them. Neuropsychology is more clinically-oriented, and it often looks at how injuries, illness, or other conditions impact behavior using clinical assessments and case studies. On the other hand, cognitive neuroscience is more research-focused. It often examines processes behind cognitive functions and behavior using imaging and experimental techniques.

What is a neuropsychologist?

A clinical neuropsychologist is a licensed clinician with advanced expertise in brain-behavior relationships. They may specialize in assessing thinking skills, emotional functioning, and behavior to identify patterns that may indicate neurological, developmental, or psychological conditions.

Neuropsychologists may:

  • Review medical and personal history
  • Use standardized, research-based cognitive assessments
  • Analyze strengths and weaknesses across different thinking skills
  • Provide diagnoses or rule out certain conditions
  • Recommend therapy, counseling, rehabilitation, or academic/workplace accommodations

Some deficits can be easier to spot, like loss of speech, aphasia, or memory loss. Others, like difficulty retrieving specific words (anomic aphasia) or slowed processing speed, may not be as noticeable without specialized testing.

In some cases, a person may not even realize that something is wrong. What can appear as a deficit could simply reflect normal aging or limited exposure. For example, older adults may have trouble naming uncommon objects. This may not be due to a brain injury or illness, but it may simply be due to less familiarity.

What is a pediatric neuropsychologist?

A pediatric neuropsychologist works specifically with children and adolescents. This specialty focuses on how a developing brain influences learning, behavior, emotional regulation, and social functioning.

Pediatric neuropsychologists may evaluate children who experience:

  • Learning delays
  • Attention or concentration difficulties
  • Developmental disorders
  • Prenatal or birth complications
  • Concussions or other brain injuries

They can provide guidance to families, schools, and healthcare providers to support the child’s long-term cognitive, emotional, and social development.

What is a neuropsychological evaluation?

A neuropsychological evaluation is a comprehensive assessment designed to help understand how your brain is functioning. It’s not just about identifying potential problem areas; it’s also about mapping your strengths and weaknesses so you can receive the right support, treatment, and accommodations.

Neuropsychological evaluations may include:

  • Interviews about symptoms, history, and daily functioning
  • Standardized tests that measure memory, attention, language, problem-solving, motor skills, and more
  • Mood and personality assessments, when needed

Tests are often structured, administered the same way for everyone, and compared with age and education-adjusted norms. This can help the clinician determine whether changes are due to a neurological condition, normal aging, stress, or something else.

Conditions assessed by neuropsychologists

Neuropsychological evaluations can help identify or clarify the effects of a variety of medical, neurological, and psychological conditions, such as:

  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
  • Stroke
  • Epilepsy
  • Brain tumors
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia
  • Learning disorders
  • Lupus, HIV, or other systemic illnesses
  • Developmental disorders
  • Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Any condition that affects how the brain works, including cognition, memory, behavior, or emotional regulation, may benefit from a neuropsychological assessment.

Should I be evaluated?

Some people choose to seek a neuropsychological evaluation or assessment when something feels different in their everyday functioning. You might consider reaching out to a clinical neuropsychologist if you notice:

  • Worsening memory or forgetfulness
  • Difficulty focusing or staying organized
  • Trouble solving problems
  • New language or word-finding challenges
  • Personality or behavior changes
  • Changes in movement or sensation
  • Increased difficulty with school or work tasks

Sometimes the person experiencing neurological symptoms doesn’t notice the change themselves. Family members, friends, caregivers, or parents may point them out first.

If you recognize any of these concerns, a consultation may offer clarity and direction.

Takeaway

Neuropsychology can offer valuable insights into how the brain shapes the way we think, feel, and function. Whether you are managing a medical condition, noticing cognitive changes, or simply seeking understanding, learning more about neuropsychology may empower you to take the next step for your well-being.

When you’re ready, a psychologist, therapist, or other mental health professional can help you explore what you’re feeling and guide you toward support.