What is neuropsychology?
Neuropsychology is a discipline that studies the relationship between brain structures, cognitive functions (attention, memory, language, visuospatial abilities, executive functions…) and emotional and behavioral processes.
What are the Neuropsychologist’s functions?
The Neuropsychologist’s job is to evaluate and rehabilitate people with impairment of any cognitive function. Cognitive impairment is associated with multiple causes such as:
-Aging.
-Mild cognitive impairment.
-Dementia (Alzheimer’s disease, dementia associated with Parkinson’s disease, vascular dementia…).
-Acquired brain damage (traumatic brain injury, brain tumor and cerebrovascular disease).
-Psychological disorders.
What does the neuropsychological evaluation consist of?
The Neuropsychological Evaluation consists of an initial interview with the patient and the person accompanying him/her and the subsequent application of tests to the patient. The main objectives of the evaluation are:
-To know the state of cognitive, behavioral, emotional and functional functioning.
-To contribute to the diagnosis of neurological pathologies with cognitive and/or behavioral symptoms.
-To elaborate neuropsychological rehabilitation programs.
-To evaluate the evolution over time.
What does cognitive rehabilitation consist of?
Cognitive rehabilitation consists of stimulating the patient’s cognitive functions that are affected and maintaining the preserved ones in order to achieve the activation of the different brain systems.
The scientific basis that justifies Cognitive Rehabilitation is based on well-known biological phenomena such as Neuroplasticity. The ability of neurons to regenerate and establish new connections has been demonstrated.