Neuropsychological Testing
Neuropsychological Testing
Neuropsychological Testing
Neuropsychology
Definition: Neuropsychology is defined as the study of the relation between brain function and behaviour. Although the study draws information from many disciplines such as anatomy, biology, biophysics, pharmacology and physiology, its central focus is the development of a science of human behaviour based on the function of the human brain.
In clinical neuropsychology, brain function is evaluated by objectively testing memory and thinking skills. A very detailed assessment of abilities is done, and the pattern of strengths and weaknesses is used in important health care areas, such as diagnosis and treatment planning.
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
Clinical Neuropsychology
The clinical neuropsychologist conducts the evaluation and makes recommendations. He or she may also provide treatment, such as cognitive rehabilitation, behavior management, or psychotherapy.
Clinical Neuropsychology
NPE is an essential element in development of a treatment protocol in patients with brain injury. The neuropsychological examination serves as an expansion of the basic mental status examination and it employs standardized measures to quantify a performance at a given time.
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
3/23/2012
Clinical Neuropsychology
These tests employ a variety of normative databases to evaluate performance relative to the entire population. The distribution of test scores are grouped by sex, age, education or other relevant criteria, provide a reference for interpreting the test performance of specific patients.
Goals of NPE
The assessment aims to diagnose the presence of cortical damage or dysfunction and to provide an accurate and unbiased estimate of a persons cognitive capacity. NPE is used to facilitate patient care and rehabilitation. Serial assessment can provide information about the rate of recovery and the potential for resuming a previous life-style.
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
Goals of NPE
NPE can identify the presence of mild disturbances in cases in which other diagnostic studies have produced equivocal results. To identify unusual brain organization that may occur in left hander or in people with childhood brain injury. This information is valuable to the surgeon, who would not wish to remove primary speech zones inadvertently during surgery and such information is obtained only from behavioural measures.
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
3/23/2012
Attention
Attention is the ability to select and to attend to a specific stimulus while simultaneously suppressing extraneous stimuli
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
Attention
Many different processes work together to process information These processes include alertness or arousal, the ability to select stimuli, the ability to span attention, the ability to shift attention and information processing
Attention Deficits
Attention deficits include: - Distractibility - Perseveration (inability to shift locus) - Decreased concentration (Concentration means ability to sustain attention over extended periods of time) - Increased confusion - Impulsivity, persistence on irrelevant cues
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
Attention Deficits
Attention deficits contribute to decreased performance on neuropsychological tests, those involved with memory and learning Standardized assessment may include: - Stroop color and word test - Symbol digit modalities test [Both of these tests assess the patients ability to shift locus of attention]
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
3/23/2012
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
3/23/2012
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
3/23/2012
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
Orientation
Orientation generally encompasses the knowledge of person, place, time and situation. It is an integration of attention, memory and perception. Orientation to person includes an awareness of self - i.e. knowing who you are and having information about yourself, including social role.
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
3/23/2012
Orientation
Orientation to place allows a person to have knowledge of where he or she is and how he or she may move about in the environment. Temporal orientation is broken down into several areas, including awareness of public time (clocks, calendars) cued time (time of day, the seasons).
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
3/23/2012
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
3/23/2012
Memory
To understand about memory the knowledge about anatomy of the temporal lobes is imperative.
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
3/23/2012
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
Memory - Definition
The ability to take in, store and retrieve information. The ability to learn new information and to retrieve previously learned information. Stored perceptional experiences that can be brought to consciousness to alter future thought and behaviour.
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
Memory Problems
Amnesia is a word often used to describe memory deficits. Retrograde amnesia is difficulty in remembering events that took place before the onset of amnesia. This is usually in relation to events that took place more recent to the onset of amnesia.
Memory Problems
Antegrade amnesia is difficulty learning and remembering new information since the onset of amnesia. Lesions of the left temporal lobe result in impaired recall of verbal material, such as short stories and word lists, whether presented visually or orally. Lesions of the right temporal lobe result in impaired recall of non-verbal material, such as geometric designs, faces and tunes.
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
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3/23/2012
Assessment of Memory
Sl. Test No. 1. Autobiographical Memory Interview Contextual Memory test Continuous visual memory test Doors and People Component Assessed Personal, Retrograde memory
Autobiographical Interview
AMI is an assessment of a patients remote personal memory, which may be affected with retrograde amnesia. The test was developed for patients from 18 years to old age. The patient is asked to recall 3 incidents from childhood, adulthood and his or her current life.
2. 3. 4.
Recall and meta-memory Visual memory Recall and recognition, Visual and auditory, delayed memory Visual memory Recall and recognition, visual and auditory, functional tasks
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
5. 6.
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
Autobiographical Interview
Scores are given for full and partial recall. Memories are validated by talking with friends or relatives. It can be used in disorders such as TBI, encephalitis, dementia and psychiatric disorders.
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
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3/23/2012
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
12
3/23/2012
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
Executive functioning
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
Executive functioning
Definition: Higher level cognitive skill group that includes goal setting, organization, self monitoring (or reasoning), problem solving, decision making, divergent thinking (abstract thinking) and judgment.
Problem solving
Problem solving includes the abilities to recognize errors, generate solutions, select and implement a solution and judge the effectiveness of the solution implemented.
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
13
3/23/2012
organization
Organization is the ability to sequence and plan occupations by deducing the relationship between objects.
Judgment
Judgment is the ability to anticipate consequences
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
Decision making
Decision making is the ability to select appropriate response by inhibiting the other unwanted responses. Prefrontal cortex is primarily responsible for these executive functions.
Neuroanatomy
Anterior to the primary motor cortex lies SMA on the medial aspect and Premotor area on the lateral surface (area 6). Anterior to these areas lie frontal eye field area (area 8 and 8 A) on the lateral aspect and Brocas area on the medial aspect (area 44). Anterior to these areas lie prefrontal cortex on the dorsolateral aspect (area 9 and 46) and orbital on the venteromedial aspect (area 47).
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
Neurophysiology
The motor cortex is responsible for making movements. The premotor cortex selects movements. The prefrontal cortex controls the cognitive processes so that appropriate movements are selected at the correct time and place. This selection is controlled by internal record of (old experiences) existing sensory information.
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
Neurophysiology
Control of fine movements: Area 4 2. Movement programming: Premotor and dorsolateral area 3. Movement repetitions: Premotor 4. Movement sequences: SMA
1.
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
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3/23/2012
Neurophysiology
5. Voluntary eye gaze: Frontal eye field area 6. Speech (motor): Brocas area 7. Divergent thinking: Orbital 8. Social behaviour, sexual behaviour, mood or affect, olfactory discrimination: Orbital area 9. Problem solving, decision making, goal setting, reasoning (self monitoring), judgment, temporal memory, organization and associative learning: Dorsolateral prefrontal area.
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
Assessment
Many of the executive functions can be assessed through observation of the patient during functional occupations. Apart from the standardized tests, there are some informal assessments and sequencing cards. The examiner should know whether the patient is aware of planning problems, how many steps in an occupation he or she is able to sequence and how he or she handles change, and whether he or she is able to problem solve.
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
Sl. No 1.
Test
Component Assessed
Sl. No. 5.
Test
Component Assessed
2.
Allen Cognitive Level Test Ability to learn new information Allen Cognitive Level Test Problem solving and Problem solving ability to learn new information Bay Area Functional Performance Evaluation Cognitive Assessment of Minnesota Ability to abstract and ability to delete errors Following directions, foresight an d planning, concrete problem solving, abstract thinking Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
Cognitive Behaviour Rating scale Cognitive Performance Test Mini mental State Exam Neurobehavioural Cognitive State Examination
6.
7.
3.
8.
4.
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
10.
Rey Complex Figure test Short Category Test Wisconsin card sorting Test Ravens Progressive Matrices
11.
Organization and Problem solving Problem solving and abstract thinking Abstract thinking, problem solving, the ability to shift cognitive strategies Ability to formulate constructs
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
12.
Developed in 1973 Quick assessment of a patient's ability to perform visuomotor tasks. The patient is asked to perform several different types of stitches on a leather lacing sample, including a running stitch, whip stitch and single cordovan stitch. The test utilizes a 5 point scale and measures patients abilities in levels 2 through 6
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
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3/23/2012
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
The patient first sorts by color, then form, then number It is not timed. Takes 20 30 minutes to administer No. of errors, perseverative errors can be converted to standard scores
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
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3/23/2012
APM has 48 problems an dis more complex than the SPM This is beneficial in assessing patients judgement SPM was designed to assess a wide range of mental abilities without influence of educational, cultural and physical abilities.
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
Language
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
Aphasia
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
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3/23/2012
2.
Fluent Speech Anomias or without articulatory paraphasias, disorders poor comprehension, poor repetition Paraphasia, poor Transcortical Fluent speech sensory without articulatory comprehension, anomia aphasia disorders, good (isolation repetition, can syndrome) repeat and understand but cannot speak spontaneously Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
3.
Conduction aphasia
4.
Anomic apahasia
Fluent Poor speech, can repetition, name objects, fairly good understand comprehensi speech, but on they cannot repeat words Fluent Anomia, speech with difficulties in articulatory finding nouns disorders Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
Brocas aphasia
3.
Global aphasia
Laborious articulation
2.
Transcortical Non-fluent, but Uncompleted motor good repetition sentences and apahsia anomias, but naming is better than spontaneous speech
Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
Pure aphasia
Sl. No. 1. Aphasia Type of speech production Type of language errors
Normal
Poor reading
2.
Normal Normal
3.
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Dr.S.Balasubramanian, MPT,PhD
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