Neuropsychology is the scientific study of how higher cognitive functions — such as memory, attention, language, and problem-solving — are connected to specific structures in the brain. It also explores how these functions are affected by injury, disease, or developmental conditions.
What is neuropsychology?
Within neuropsychology, “higher functions” are called so because they are controlled by the brain’s most complex and evolved areas. They involve:
- Solving puzzles and abstract problems
- Maintaining attention and focus
- Remembering information
- Language and speech
- Understanding spatial relationships
- Coordinating motor and sensory skills
How is neuropsychology different from cognitive psychology?
Cognitive psychology also studies thinking, memory, and perception. However, it doesn’t necessarily link them to specific brain structures. Neuropsychology, on the other hand, focuses on the relationship between brain structures and behavior.
For example, if the ability to solve problems relies on the frontal lobe, then damage to those areas from a stroke or tumor could result in difficulties with problem-solving. This direct link to brain anatomy is what sets neuropsychology apart.
What does a clinical neuropsychologist do?
Clinical neuropsychology involves the assessment and interpretation of behavior to identify patterns of cognitive strengths and weaknesses. These patterns, when combined with a person’s medical and personal history, can help identify or rule out specific neurological or psychiatric conditions.
This process relies on specialized, standardized assessments and testing that are:
- Carefully structured
- Administered in a consistent way to all individuals
- Interpreted using normative data adjusted for age, education, etc.
Identifying cognitive deficits is not always straightforward. Some symptoms, like loss of speech or aphasia, are more obvious. Others are much subtler. A person may have difficulty retrieving specific words, known as anomic aphasia, without it being noticeable in casual conversation.
In some cases, the person may not even realize that something is wrong. What appears to be 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, but it simply may be due to less familiarity.
Should I be evaluated?
A neuropsychological assessment often starts with you noticing a change in your mental functioning. You may ask yourself:
- Is my memory getting worse?
- Do I have trouble focusing or solving problems?
- Have I noticed changes in my personality?
- Am I struggling with language or word-finding?
- Have I experienced changes in movement or sensation?
- Are school or work tasks becoming harder?
Conditions assessed by neuropsychologists
Neuropsychological evaluations are used to assess the effects of a wide range of medical, neurological, and psychological conditions, including:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Stroke
- Epilepsy
- Brain tumors
- Multiple sclerosis
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Dementia
- Lupus, HIV, or other systemic illnesses
- Learning and developmental disorders
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
In short, any condition that can impact how your brain functions — especially thinking, memory, or behavior — may be a topic for neuropsychological investigation.