Wednesday, April 15, 2015

A Neuropsychologist In NYC May Evaluate Pediatric Patients Or Elderly Stroke Patients

By Iva Cannon


Neuropsychology is an experimental branch of psychology. It is practiced in research facilities such as universities or laboratories. The neuropsychologist in NYC as well as other locations may be found working in a clinic or directing a clinical trial project to evaluate a new drug that affects the central nervous system.

Neuroscience and cognitive psychology principles are brought together in pursuit of new knowledge. Studies are done to assess the ways the brain processes information. Treatment of a patient may use rehabilitation, medication or surgery.

For example, someone in this branch of psychology might be found practicing in New York, NY or a small town in Pennsylvania. His or her educational background will include a doctoral degree in psychology with additional training in the sub-specialty of neuropsychology. They go on to treat patients who have disorders of the nervous system.

Some evaluations performed are for people who have suffered a stroke. Determining the extent of impairment will help in determining the optimal treatment plan. Discovering the baseline function of a Parkinsons patient can reveal how severely impaired his or her functional capabilities are. The progression of the disease can be monitored from that point on.

Alzheimers disease can be evaluated. However, its presence can only be confirmed through an autopsy. Of course, that is no help to the patient while alive. The assessment will therefore be based on symptoms. This disease robs the patient of memory, cognitive ability and erases the personality eventually.

An evaluation may be done by interview. Questioning will be done about daily tasks and how difficult they are to complete. It will compile a medical history including the list of medication the person takes. There are standardized tests that are used to assess everything from problem solving abilities to emotional status.

Computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging are brain scans that assist in making a diagnosis. The test results are compared to other individuals in the same or similar peer group. Problems that are severe are easier to diagnose. For subtle deterioration, significant testing is needed.

The complexity of the brain makes diagnosing any disease challenging. It has control centers for sensory information, motor skills and the production of language. When a speech disorder is present in a stroke patient, the Brocas area will be the control center to examine.

The neuropsychologist is concerned with the way behavior is affected by the brain. He researches the relationship between the two. Any psysiological defect will directly affect behavior.

That understanding leads to identifying the brain dysfunction and how severe it is. From that point a plan can be devised that will help the patient in the optimal way. This professional may choose to work with pediatric patients or focus on the senior population and treat demetia.

Studies of the human brain have been done for hundreds of years. Neuropsychology, however, is considered to be a relatively new area. The profession endeavors to understand how the brain functions and how behavior is directly affected by any disorder or disability. Changing abnormal behavior whenever possible is the common goal of this professional.




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