What is a Neuropsychological Assessment and When Is It Needed?

Nov 21

Have you noticed changes in the cognitive processing or mood of yourself or a loved one, and are wondering why they’re happening? A neuropsychological assessment will provide valuable insights.

Neuropsychological testing measures how well your brain works. It tests various mental functions, such as attention, language, learning, processing speed, memory, problem-solving, mood, and behavior. The assessment can diagnose cognitive issues, identify strengths and weaknesses in mental processes, determine the risks of changes in cognitive function, and help outline the best treatment path, such as occupational and speech therapy.

Read on to learn more about neuropsychological assessments and how they may benefit your mental health.

The Uses of Neuropsychological Assessment

A neuropsychological assessment may be required for the following reasons:

Cognitive Diagnosis: The test may be used to diagnose issues such as memory problems, mood changes, injuries, and other diseases that affect behavior and cognition.
Tracks Cognitive Injuries: A neuropsychological assessment may be used on people who have had a neurological injury to determine whether treatments are effective and to track progression.
Identifies Risks Related to Procedures: The evaluation can identify risks associated with certain brain surgeries, so you can determine whether you are a good candidate for procedures.
Helps Develop Treatment Plans: Neuropsychological testing can help mental health experts determine the best treatment plans for occupational or speech therapy by identifying strengths and weaknesses to focus on and guiding recommended adjustments to work and school schedules.

What Does Neuropsychological Testing Evaluate?

A neuropsychological evaluation tests various mental functions, including the following.:

Reading and reading comprehension
Learning
Memory
General intellect
Your ability to use language and process what others are saying
Attention
Concentration and focus
Reasoning
Fine motor skills
Mood
Personality
Higher-level skills that help you plan, organize, manage time, solve problems, multitask, manage emotions, and make judgments
Visuospatial skills that help you understand the relationship between objects and space, which are relevant to tasks like drawing, tying your shoes, cleaning, etc.

What Does a Neuropsychological Assessment Diagnose?

While testing does not provide direct medical diagnoses, it provides insights that help health providers narrow down possibilities and determine the best treatment plan. It can be helpful in the management of the following conditions:

Brain tumors
Alzheimer’s and dementia
Epilepsy
Learning disabilities
Traumatic brain injuries
Transient ischemic attack and stroke
Multiple sclerosis
Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders

When Is a Neuropsychological Assessment Needed?

A mental health professional may recommend an evaluation to determine the underlying causes of the following conditions:

Unexplained personality changes that impact mood
Hallucinations and delusions
Short-term memory loss
Difficulty with communication, including interactions, speaking, and finding words
Issues with drawing, writing, reading, or interpreting images
Frequently losing items or getting lost
Difficulty managing finances
Decreased attention and concentration
Poor judgment and decision-making
Trouble recognizing familiar people
Difficulty staying organized and completing tasks

What are the Benefits of Neuropsychological Testing?

The testing has been shown to produce high accuracy and positive patient outcomes in the following studies.

A 2022 review of over 78 studies released by the University of South Alabama reveals that neuropsychological testing has high accuracy rates comparable to those of neuroimaging, making it a reliable tool for neurodegenerative brain disorders.
A 2024 review published in The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association showed that a neuropsychological evaluation improves diagnostic accuracy for MCI and dementia as compared to a clinical assessment alone.
A 2021 NIH Scoping Review of Communicating Neuropsychological Test Results to Patients and Families shows that testing yields high levels of patient and family satisfaction, improvements in post-concussive symptoms, and improvements in cognition and self-reliance among patients with mood disorders and ADHD.
A 2013 PM&RknowledgeNOW study on Cognitive and Behavioral Dysfunction found that neuropsychological tests are sensitive and reliable for detecting cognitive impairments and may outperform the MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination) in early stroke assessments.
A 2024 Creyos report suggests neuropsychological assessments are faster and more accurate than other cognitive tests for dementia.

Additionally, neuropsychological testing is non-invasive and does not produce any side effects. Patients won’t even experience irritation from electrodes.

Preparing for the Test

Ensure you get the best results from your test by preparing with the following techniques:

Prepare to get a good sleep the night before testing
Eat a nutritious breakfast
Take all your medications as prescribed unless instructed to do otherwise
Bring along any glasses, contact lenses, hearing aids, or assistive devices you typically require
Bring the results of any previous neuropsychological, academic, or psychological tests you have taken in the past. (These may be requested at the consultation rather than the actual testing.)

What to Expect During a Neuropsychological Assessment?

Here is what to expect during the testing process:

Clinical Interview: The process typically begins with an interview of the individual and/or a family member, such as a parent or family caregiver. A medical professional will want to know about the person’s medical history, family background, and other factors such as work and education. They may want to review medical, educational, and employment records.
Standardized Testing: The testing typically requires the individual to complete various tasks such as solving puzzles, answering questions, and drawing images. The provider may ask some questions, while others require computer responses.
Skills Assessment: The test aims to assess memory, language, visual-spatial abilities, processing speed, attention, reasoning, problem-solving, behavior, social-emotional functioning, and personality.
Feedback and Reporting: Test results are typically available within 1-2 weeks. The evaluator will discuss insights and results and explain how they may impact the person’s life. They will recommend treatments and interventions to help the individual manage symptoms.

The testing itself is extensive and can take 2-8 hours, depending on the type of test, the complexity of the questions, and the patient’s age and developmental level. The test taker is typically mentally exhausted after the evaluation.

What to Expect from the Results

There are no right or wrong answers in neuropsychological testing. Instead, your results will be compared to those of others in your age group, sometimes with similar educational backgrounds.

The patient and their family will receive an in-depth report that explains the results, including strengths, weaknesses, and anomalies. It will include recommendations and interventions to improve those skills, such as medications and mental and physical therapies. The results won’t include a diagnosis but may be shared with other professionals on your care team to provide valuable insights.

The professional should explain their results to ensure comprehension and transparency.

Kuhn Cognitive Offers Reliable Assessments and Ongoing Care

When cognitive issues arise, you want answers. Kuhn Cognitive can provide the assistance you need.

Our private clinic offers neuropsychological assessments and treatments for a range of emotional, behavioral, and functional issues. We take a customized approach, considering each person’s unique cognitive traits to ensure tailored treatment planning. Our research-based therapies maximize mental productivity, providing optimal results.

FAQs

What are the two main reasons for conducting a neuropsychological assessment?

Although neuropsychological testing can address a wide range of issues, it is typically used to diagnose and clarify neurological and psychiatric conditions, identify strengths and weaknesses, and guide treatment and support plans.

What is the 5-point test in neuropsychology?

The Five Point Test (5TT) assesses figural fluency —the ability to generate multiple unique visual designs within a limited time. It measures executive function, creativity, and cognitive flexibility.

What type of doctor does neuropsychological testing?

Neuropsychological testing is typically administered by a neuropsychologist, a doctor who assesses brain function and developmental issues.

What age is neuropsychological testing for?

Neuropsychological testing is typically performed on people 5 years old and up. However, if a parent is concerned that their child has an autism spectrum disorder, they may be evaluated as early as 18 months.

What is the finger tapping test in neuropsychology?

The finger tapping test (FTT), also known as the finger oscillation test, is a neuropsychological assessment that measures manual dexterity. It detects brain damage and is commonly used to evaluate Parkinson’s disease and other neurological disorders. The test involves a person rapidly tapping their finger on a surface for a set time, following different patterns to assess motor coordination and speed.

Taylor Kuhn