What is a Neuropsychological Evaluation?

A Neuropsychological Evaluation is a series of tests designed to help understand and measure how areas of the brain are functioning. Where a CT or MRI can take a “picture” of your brain, a Neuropsychological evaluation helps to determine how different areas of the brain are functioning. Some areas of functioning that may be assessed are: memory, language, emotional, reasoning, problem-solving, executive skills, attention, perceptual, motor and academic skills. The types of Neuropsychological tests administered will depend on the questions that you and/or your referring doctor have.

What Can I Expect When Having a Neuropsychological Evaluation?

Taking the Neuropsychological tests is like going to school for a few hours. There are questions-and-answer tests and tests that involve working with materials on a table. A Neuropsychological Evaluation designed to answer clinical questions typically takes between 3 to 4 hours. However, this can vary significantly depending upon the clinical questions to be answered and the patient’s abilities. Neuropsychological Evaluations designed to answer forensic or educational questions take considerably longer to complete.

Why Am I Being Asked to Have a Neuropsychological Evaluation?

Your healthcare provider may send you for a Neuropsychological Evaluation to help form a diagnosis, to help treat a medical or psychological condition, to identify your cognitive strengths and weaknesses or to document changes in brain functioning over time.