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What Do Neuropsychological Tests Measure?
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A neuropsychological assessment consists of professionally administered tests that examine independent functional domains controlled by brain systems.
Skill |
Definition |
|---|---|
Motor Performance |
The ability to perform gross and fine motor tasks, and the ability to perform purposeful tasks is of particularly significant interest in evaluating differences between the two sides of the body. Apraxia refers to the inability to perform a movement resulting from a neurological defect. |
Attention and Processing Skills |
The capability to focus and sustain attention in mental activity is reflected in processing speed, simple accuracy in a sustained focus task, divided thinking among tasks, mental manipulation and control, and resistance to internal or external distraction. |
Sensory Acuity |
The ability to detect basic visual, auditory, and tactile sensations is critical to processing information at higher levels. |
Working Memory |
Working memory is closely related to attention in that it involves keeping a limited amount of information active, frequently up-dated, and rapidly accessible for a brief time span. Most people have a working memory capacity of about seven items. |
Learning and Memory |
The ability to encode new information, store information in a relational memory system, and retrieve information is measured in verbal/auditory and in spatial/visual modalities. |
Intelligence |
Intelligence is a summary and multifaceted concept of general mental capability, reflecting the ability to comprehend, adapt to, and interact with the environment. Patterns among components of intelligence, those reflecting "hold" versus "don't hold" skills, provide a strong basis for inferring changes in current intelligence from inferred premorbid intelligence. Intelligence is not a specific domain but a composite of several domains. It is usually included in neurofunctional assessment, however, as a comprehensive functional index and, because it is multifaceted, may not reflect some forms of brain injury or disorder. |
Language |
The ability to receive and express thought through various forms of symbolic manipulation is measured in various language tests. Receptive language is measured in reading and ability to comprehend spoken language. Expressive language is measured in writing and ability to formulate oral language. |
Calculation |
Ability to manipulate mathematical symbols and perform operations may reflect skill level or loss of skills the individual once had. The specific nature of calculation difficulties can suggest specific areas of brain dysfunction. |
Visuospatial Analysis |
The ability to receive, interpret, and apply meaning to visual information is measured in constructional skills and visual perceptual tests. |
Problem Solving and Judgment |
Problem solving refers to advanced, higher-order information processing where knowledge is assessed and manipulated to find solutions to problems and make informed and reasoned judgments. Arithmetical thinking is a kind of problem solving. |
Abstract Thinking |
The ability to use generalized information and apply it to specific situations involves abstract or conceptual thinking. |
Mood and Temperament |
The ability of the individual to function in daily living situations depends on cognitive style, personality traits, beliefs, comportment, mental organization, and emotional status and variability. |
Executive Functions |
Metacognition is the ability to achieve insight and self-awareness; to reflect on, initiate, evaluate, and regulate (activate and inhibit) thinking and behavior; to think flexibly; and to make decisions integrating judgment and feedback. |
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