Neuropsychological Functioning

Neuropsychology is the study of brain-behavior relationships through objective, scientific methods. The main goal in neuropsychology is to understand how the brain produces and controls behavior and mental processes, including emotions, cognition, and consciousness. This goal is met by studying both healthy and damaged brain systems using objective measures to link biological and behavioral domains.

The goal of clinical neuropsychology is to study how cognitive skills such as memory, language, and attention change an individual's life as a result of brain injury, disease, or developmental process. The ultimate objective is the clinical application of that knowledge to human problems. Neuropsychological tests and methods are used to compare an individual's behavior to that of individuals with known brain dysfunction and to a normal control population. Psychologists draw inferences from the test data regarding what type of brain dysfunction may be present. From this point, realistic expectations for adjustment, remediation, and rehabilitation of behavior are made.

Neuropsychology is the fastest-growing subspecialty in psychology. Prior to 1975, neuropsychology was not considered a separate subspecialty, and was often part of clinical psychology, biopsychology, or neuroscience. Between 1975 and 1990, there was an increase in the clinical uses of neuropsychological information beyond the research laboratory, with an emphasis on creating test batteries that could be used to guide diagnosis and intervention with neurology patients. During this era, three professional organizations were founded (the International Neuropsychological Society, the National Academy of Neuropsychology, and Division 40 of the American Psychological Association, or ARA), and several academic journals representing the discipline were established. In the years since 1990, neuropsychology has enjoyed increased acceptance in health care and forensic areas, but the economic changes (e.g., decreased reimbursement) that have affected health care in general also have affected clinical neuropsychology.

This entry outlines the main uses of neuropsychological assessment, and discusses the debate regarding the use of fixed versus flexible batteries. Atypical neuropsychological evaluation is described. Tests are suggested to measure functioning in a variety of domains. Finally, the future of neuropsychology is addressed.