Neuropsychological Conditions, Diagnostics & Treatments
Signs and Symptoms
Signs and symptoms that may signal the need for neuropsychology services include:
- Decline in memory
- Altered mental state or confusion
- Impairment in thinking
Test results can help patients, families and medical providers by:
- Confirming or clarifying a diagnosis.
- Revealing the practical implications of a neurocognitive impairment (e.g., how an impaired decision-making capacity relates to home, community, school or work reintegration).
- Providing a profile of strengths and weaknesses to guide medical staff, rehabilitation, educational, vocational or other services.
- Documenting changes in functioning since prior examinations, including the effects of treatment.
- Clarifying what compensatory strategies would help optimize the patient’s functioning.
- Resulting in referrals to other specialists, such as, but not limited to, cognitive rehabilitation professionals, neurologists, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, educational therapists, special education teachers or vocational counselors.
- Providing guidance to patients, family members or caregivers, and medical staff.
Develop a behavioral management plan and provide guidance to patients, family members or caregivers, medical staff.
Why refer a patient for a neuropsychological evaluation?
Neuropsychological evaluations (NPE) at Cedars-Sinai assist providers with diagnosis, treatment planning and ongoing monitoring of a patient’s cognitive status. The NPE uses standardized tests and procedures that assess how behavior and skills are related to brain structure. A completed NPE provides doctors with an in-depth understanding of the patient's cognitive abilities, including attention, memory and executive functioning (e.g., planning, organizing and problem-solving) as well as linguistic, visuo-perceptual, motor and sensory skills, and their psychological state.
Have Questions or Need Help?
Call us or send a message to the Neuropsychology Program team. You can also have us call you back at your convenience.