Neuropsychological assessment

Neuropsychological assessment is one of the main fields of activity of clinical neuropsychologists. Goals of this assessment are verification and description of cognitive and affective impairments as the consequence of brain damage. Included are examinations of basal and higher sensory functions, the intellectual profile, memory, attention and sensorimotor functions, executive functions, specific education- and profession-related skills as well as affectivity and emotional functions. Diagnostic assignment encompasses the description of the current status, follow-up examinations, experts' reports, planning of rehabilitation measures but also the uncovering of dysfunctions after brain damage that are morphologically not yet verifiable. Referring to the respective diagnostic question, assessment has to be planned thoroughly including results of prior examinations, exploration and anamnesis, also taking into account factors which might hamper test administration or which otherwise might affect the results. The assessment also includes monitoring of behaviour and the registration of tendencies for aggravation or simulation. Analysis and interpretation of the results both refer to the diagnostic question and to the hypotheses developed at the beginning of the examination. Results and conclusions derived from the examination are documented in reports of diagnostic findings or in experts' reports.