A neuropsychological evaluation is an assessment of how one’s brain functions, which indirectly yields information about the structural and functional integrity of the brain. The neuropsychological evaluation involves an interview and the administration of tests, along with a feedback session to discuss results. The tests are administered via iPad, as well as pencil and paper. The majority of the tests require administration by a neuropsychologist; accordingly, Dr. Konrady will be working directly with the patient during the testing session. Other tasks are self-report measures, which are completed by the patient and/or a loved one. Many of these can be completed electronically, outside of the scheduled testing session.

Neuropsychological tests are standardized, meaning that they are administered in the same fashion to all patients and scored in a similar manner time after time. An individual’s scores on tests are interpreted by comparing their score to that of healthy individuals of a similar demographics (i.e., of similar age, education, gender, and/or ethnic background) and to expected levels of functioning. In this way, a neuropsychologist can determine whether one’s performance on any given task represents a strength or weakness. Although individual scores are important, the neuropsychologist looks at all of the data from the evaluation to determine a pattern of cognitive strengths and weaknesses and, in turn, to understand more about how the brain is functioning.

Neuropsychological tests evaluate function within a number of areas including: intelligence, executive function (such as planning, abstraction, conceptualization), attention, memory, language, perception, sensorimotor functions, motivation, mood state and emotion, quality of life, and personality styles. The areas addressed in an individual’s evaluation are determined by the referral question (what the referring doctor and patient wants to know), patient’s complaints and symptoms, and observations made during interview and test administration.