Epilepsy Talk
Exactly what IS Neuropsychology? | August 26, 2012
I never had a clue what neuropsychology was all about. Although it sounded like a good idea.
Then a while ago, I had an assessment. (Mercifully, it was the two-hour test and not the 8-hour version.)
The neuropsychologist I went to had all the records of my last 12 years with my neurologist and it was clear he had done his homework. The question was, did my deficit in memory come from my history of seizures, my previous concussions (one of which was only a month ago) or even age itself? (I thought to myself, geeze, I’m only 59!)
Here’s basically what happened…
First he interviewed me. He wanted to know what I perceived as my problems, a very brief history and my husband was included in order to give his input.
Then, when my husband left, I was given numbers to remember in order and then in reverse. With each succession, more numbers were added to the list.
There was the same exercise with words. Interestingly, about ten minutes after each exercise, I was asked to do it again. But only with the numbers or words that I had remembered from the first time.
I was asked to complete geometric images which became more and more complicated, and my “progress” was timed. There were also words to define and stories to remember after ten minutes’ time. (I did great with the names, places and most of the story, but couldn’t remember any of the numbers to save my life.)
At the end, it was determined that although my EEG had been “clean,” there was further damage to my brain tissue than in my last EEG, two years ago.
The major conclusion was that my memory and processing of information were below normal and to help me get up to speed, the neuropsychologist suggested a 30 hour cognitive computer program called “Posit Science.”
Now for those not “in the know,” (like I was) here’s a brief run-down on exactly what neuropsychological tests are and their purpose…
Neuropsychological tests are a series of measures that identify cognitive impairment and functioning of your brain. An evaluation may be brief or may last several hours. Usually, both easy and difficult tests are given to see how you do on different levels. Some of the tests will be timed, others will not.
The different tests given are to measure different functions. Each is linked to a specific area of the brain. If you do well overall, but do poorly on a few tests that measure the same function, the neuropsychologist knows which area of your brain is not working properly. That area may be where seizures are coming from.
And because the neuropsychologist is a professional within the field of psychology, with special expertise in the science of brain-behavior relationships, he/she is in the rare position to evaluate what’s going on in your brain and how it affects your emotional and physical behaviors.
The tests themselves provide data about the following areas:
Language
Academic skills
Intellectual functioning
Attention, memory, and learning – visual and verbal
Speed of processing
Perceptual and motor abilities
Planning and organization
Problem solving and conceptualization
Emotions, behavior, and personality
The end result is to qualify:
Ability to understand and express language
Attention and processing speed
Short-term and long-term memory
Visual-spatial organization
Visual-motor coordination
Reasoning and problem-solving ability
Planning, synthesizing, and organizing abilities
Once the evaluation is complete, the neuropsychologist will examine the results of your tests. Those results are compared with the results of people the same age as you who have a similar background.
If you’ve been tested before, the neuropsychologist will compare the new results with your results on earlier tests. He/She then writes a report. If the results show that one area of your brain is not functioning normally, the report will say that. And it may include recommendations for further treatment, for job retraining, or for retesting at a later date.
To me, the beauty of neuropsychology is that it doesn’t just look at the brain, or emotions, or capabilities alone. It looks at the whole neurological system as one, integrated picture.
As Oliver Sacks, the legendary physician, professor of neurology and psychiatry said: “In each human being, things are constantly shifting in their significance, as is the underlying neurophysiological response. Neuronal groups are organized into sheets of brain tissue, called maps, which respond to different kinds of external stimuli — auditory, visual, and tactile — as well as to one another.”
What’s been your experience with neuropsychology? Did you find it helpful? Is there a doctor or resource you would recommend? For me, Dr. Edward J. Murphy, PsyD was terrific. He’s associated with Bryn Mawr Rehab Psychology Associates, in Malvern, PA.
Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinical_neuropsychology
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuropsychology
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/317596-overview
http://advancedpsy.com/1__what_is_neuropsychology-page-3.html
http://www.neuropsychologycentral.com/interface/content/resources/resources_interface_frameset.html
http://my.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/specialists_neuropsychologists
Tags: age, attention, brain behavior, brain tissue, cognitive impairment, concussions, damage, functions, learning, memory deficit, neuropsychology, organization, planning, problem-solving, retraining, seizures, treatment
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God Phyllis,
FANTASTIC ARTICLE, Thanks for sharing your experience.
And ALL THESE YEARS,,, I was blaming the side-effect of my various medications, my seizure prescription drugs (Lamictal, Keppra, Dilantin), for my memory problems, even after I kept slamming my head & rubbing my face against cement hard floors & walls when ever & where
ever Epilepsy knocks me out.
Comment by Gerrie — August 26, 2012 @ 12:09 PM
Well, it very well COULD be your meds. I know I was a zombie on Dilantin.
But, as the neuropsychologist explained it, the culprit could be that good old grey stuff called “brain tissue”.
I don’t know how brain tissue shows up in neurological testing, though.
All I know is that the neuropsychologist’s role (among others) is to strengthen your COGNITIVE fuctions and abilities.
Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — August 26, 2012 @ 2:30 PM
Never heard, knew nor seen Nuerophsycologist before, it sure seems very good idea to see one & find out how much can be done to know, control, minimize or revers the brain damage, compromising memory.
It’s just frustrating to keep wondering,
1. Why is happening to me?
2. How could I don’t remember this or that?
3. I know his/her face but can’t remember the name?
The list goes on & on.
Therefore, your article is very enlightening to those of us who live in this ordeal.
And,,, I thought I was going insane.
Thanks God, Now, I can understand the ordeal & see the remedy..
Comment by Gerrie — August 26, 2012 @ 12:50 PM
Try going to the article:
Boost your brain with these fun games!
http://epilepsytalk.com/2012/03/12/boost-your-brain-with-these-fun-games/
According to my friend who suffered Traumatic Brain Injury after surgery, these really do work.
Her favorite one is Lumosity.
“Lumosity subscribers have access to over 35+ brain games and exercises. Based on extensive research, our games enhance the brain’s ability to remember details, solve problems, pay attention, multitask — and much, much more. Each game trains a different skill such as memory, concentration, or mental speed.”
http://www.lumosity.com/
Word of advice. Luminosity is NOT cheap. The lowest price is $29.99 for 2 months.
http://www.games.com actually has 268 “brain” games alone, plus zillions of other freebies. (I would suggest SUDOKU, my friend does “Suduko” every day for an hour or so, and she swears it works wonders!)
I found Memory Improvement Tips was quite impressive — and they have free brain games.
http://www.memory-improvement-tips.com/ http://www.memory-improvement-tips.com/brain-games.html
Anyway, cruise the article and see what you think. It could be fun.
Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — August 26, 2012 @ 3:20 PM
Wow, Phylis! Sounds like an interesting experience. I only remember one neuropsychological test and that was before the right temporal–awhile before. Phenomenal how they can give those sorts of testing and basically “read your brain”. When I had the surgery in 1991 they said they were removing “scar tissue” and the best part about it as an example of the improvement it caused would be how my grades went from C’s, D’s and f’s to A’s and B’s! Definitely need all the memory help I can get these days…seems to be slipping away in some areas(factual/educational memory) vs remembering things from earlier life that I never could before–kind of freaky if you ask me. I always joke around with hubby, but in a way it may be true–early onset Alzheimer’s. Can’t joke about it much though, I am next in line (my grandmother on my dad’s side had it)most of what I read about it says it more often skips a generation–so it skipped my dad(so far-he’s in his 70′s) and that means me–so school is starting once again for me TOMORROW NIGHT–uggghhh–and yeah all at once. Hope everyone has a great night and week!!
Comment by sunshinej716 — August 26, 2012 @ 7:03 PM
Here’s some comforting news. According to my research, Alzheimer’s generally comes from the mother’s side of the family. And even there, you would only have a 50/50 chance of getting it.
I couldn’t find any info on it skipping a generation, but I’m sure you’ve done more research than me. (I only spent an hour researching.)
You might consider a PET scan if your neurologist thinks that would be helpful and/or appropriate.
I hope this helps…
Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — August 27, 2012 @ 11:43 AM
My doctor does a Mini-mental State each time I have a sz in her office. She stresses reading and exercising outside. I have 4 tests done but I was seizing. during them. I also wanted to blame medication. I have changed since I was younger. One is surgery I do not remember numbers and names. My recall processess are different, I try to stay happy! Memory is a fog! I want to blame meds. It just could be I was having a sz I didn’t recognize. Thanks Phylis.
Comment by Toni Robison — August 26, 2012 @ 8:29 PM
Perhaps trying the memory “brain games” listed above might help?
I found Memory Improvement Tips was quite impressive — and they have free brain games.
http://www.memory-improvement-tips.com/ http://www.memory-improvement-tips.com/brain-games.html
Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — August 27, 2012 @ 11:50 AM
Neuropsych eval was presurgical testing for me just about a year ago. After that LONG appointment I did find a book (my inner geek shows here) “Neuropsychology of Epilepsy and Epilepsy Surgery” published by Oxford Press. Interesting reading before my surgery.
Sadly when they gave me the MMPI-II to send it, I was sadly looking out for some of the questions on the OLD version of the test (“I am a secret agent of God” being one).
Comment by Travis — September 1, 2012 @ 12:44 AM
Oy. What was the copywrite? You would think that coming from Oxford University Press, you could be confident.
Next time, tell your inner geek (I’d actually do the same thing) to check the publication date!!!
(Or am I missing something here???)
Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — September 1, 2012 @ 8:27 AM