Neuropsychological Test
Neuropsychological Test
Neuropsychological Test
Neuropsychological test
MeSH D009483
Neuropsychology
Topics
Brain functions
People
Tests
vte
Neuropsychological tests are specifically designed tasks that are used to measure a psychological
function known to be linked to a particular brain structure or pathway.[1] Tests are used for
research into brain function and in a clinical setting for the diagnosis of deficits. They usually
involve the systematic administration of clearly defined procedures in a formal environment.
Neuropsychological tests are typically administered to a single person working with an examiner in
a quiet office environment, free from distractions. As such, it can be argued that
neuropsychological tests at times offer an estimate of a person's peak level of cognitive
performance. Neuropsychological tests are a core component of the process of conducting
neuropsychological assessment, along with personal, interpersonal and contextual factors.
Most neuropsychological tests in current use are based on traditional psychometric theory. In this
model, a person's raw score on a test is compared to a large general population normative sample,
that should ideally be drawn from a comparable population to the person being examined.
Normative studies frequently provide data stratified by age, level of education, and/or ethnicity,
where such factors have been shown by research to affect performance on a particular test. This
allows for a person's performance to be compared to a suitable control group, and thus provide a
fair assessment of their current cognitive function.
According to Larry J. Seidman, the analysis of the wide range of neuropsychological tests can be
broken down into four categories. First is an analysis of overall performance, or how well people
do from test to test along with how they perform in comparison to the average score. Second is
left-right comparisons: how well a person performs on specific tasks that deal with the left and
right side of the body. Third is pathognomic signs, or specific test results that directly relate to a
distinct disorder. Finally, the last category is differential patterns, which are typically used to
diagnose specific diseases or types of damage.[2]
Contents
1 Categories
1.1 Intelligence
1.2 Memory
1.3 Language
1.5 Visuospatial
3 See also
4 References
5 Further reading
6 External links
Categories
Most forms of cognition actually involve multiple cognitive functions working in unison, however
tests can be organised into broad categories based on the cognitive function which they
predominantly assess.[3] Some tests appear under multiple headings as different versions and
aspects of tests can be used to assess different functions.
Intelligence
Memory
Memory is a very broad function which includes several distinct abilities, all of which can be
selectively impaired and require individual testing. There is disagreement as to the number of
memory systems, depending on the psychological perspective taken. From a clinical perspective, a
view of five distinct types of memory, is in most cases sufficient.[4] Semantic memory and episodic
memory (collectively called declarative memory or explicit memory); procedural memory and
priming or perceptual learning (collectively called non-declarative memory or implicit memory) all
four of which are long term memory systems; and working memory or short term memory.[5]
Semantic memory is memory for facts, episodic memory is autobiographical memory, procedural
memory is memory for the performance of skills, priming is memory facilitated by prior exposure
to a stimulus and working memory is a form of short term memory for information manipulation.
[6][7]
Language