Neuropsychology Service

What is Neuropsychology?

Neuropsychology is a specialty that focuses on brain functioning. A neuropsychologist is a licensed psychologist with expertise in how behavior and skills are related to brain structures and systems. Neuropsychology evaluates brain function by testing memory and thinking skills.

UR Medicine's Approach

The Outpatient Neuropsychology Service at UR Medicine specializes in evaluation of patients (ages 18 and over) showing signs of cognitive impairment associated with neurological conditions affecting the brain.

A neuropsychological evaluation helps doctors, patients, and their families better understand how the brain is working. This is especially important after a stroke, head trauma, neurosurgery, or in any case where changes in brain functioning may occur due to medical factors.

A clinical interview will be conducted and information about symptoms, medical history, medications, and other important factors will be discussed. Testing involves taking paper and pencil or computerized tests and answering questions.

Types of Evaluations

Comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations
Abbreviated neuropsychological testing
Psychological evaluations to assist with medical clearance
Comprehensive multidisciplinary evaluation to inform cognitive rehabilitation participation

Test scores are compared to scores from people similar in age, education, and other relevant demographic background information. The neuropsychologist can then identify a specific cognitive profile that is unique to each individual.

Test results are used to understand your situation in a number of ways. Testing can identify problems in specific areas of the brain. The tests are very sensitive to mild memory and thinking problems that might not be obvious in other ways. When problems are very mild, testing may be the only way to detect them.

Test results will inform treatment planning and medical management. For example, the results can help to plan and monitor rehabilitation or to follow the recovery skills after a stroke.

What Sets Us Apart?

Our team is also skilled in the field of rehab/health psychology, providing neuropsychological care to patients and families facing chronic and/or new-onset health conditions and trauma.