When treating the brain, ultimately what matters is how well it functions. In treating cognitive disorders, neuropsychologists perform a thorough evaluation of the patient to help determine the specific cause of the disorder and to help plan for treatment options.
Identifying where the strengths and weaknesses of a patient's cognitive functions is the goal of neuropsychology
Working closely with cognitive disorder patients, as well as with brain tumor and brain injury patients, neuropsychological testing helps us:
- Identify weaknesses with regards to memory and thinking. For example, testing can help determine whether memory changes are normal or related to a neurological disorder.
- Differentiate between different illnesses that can be affecting the brain’s function, which, along with laboratory testing and imaging results, leads to a more accurate diagnosis and more effective treatment.
- Create a “baseline” of a patient’s cognitive abilities, which can be used to chart a patient’s progress.
- Plan treatments that specifically target areas of cognitive weakness and monitor the results of the treatment.
- Plan for assistance for every day functions like driving or managing money.
Not only does testing help us with our diagnosis and treatments, but also it helps patients and their caretakers understand how their condition is affecting them and areas with which they need help.