mercredi 1 avril 2015

A Neuropsychologist In NYC May Evaluate Pediatric Patients Or Elderly Stroke Patients

By Iva Cannon


The profession of the neuropsychologist may be involved in conducting research into new medications and how they affect individuals. They can also be found treating patients in a clinical setting. The neuropsychologist in NYC investigates new ways to help those suffering a disorder that has an effect on the central nervous system.

Neuroscience and cognitive psychology principles are brought together in pursuit of new knowledge. Studies are done to assess the ways the brain processes information. Treatment of a patient may use rehabilitation, medication or surgery.

For example, someone in this branch of psychology might be found practicing in New York, NY or a small town in Pennsylvania. His or her educational background will include a doctoral degree in psychology with additional training in the sub-specialty of neuropsychology. They go on to treat patients who have disorders of the nervous system.

Some evaluations performed are for people who have suffered a stroke. Determining the extent of impairment will help in determining the optimal treatment plan. Discovering the baseline function of a Parkinsons patient can reveal how severely impaired his or her functional capabilities are. The progression of the disease can be monitored from that point on.

Alzheimers disease can be evaluated. However, its presence can only be confirmed through an autopsy. Of course, that is no help to the patient while alive. The assessment will therefore be based on symptoms. This disease robs the patient of memory, cognitive ability and erases the personality eventually.

A diagnosis is made using various methods. One is by interviewing the person. He will be questioned about what is difficult to do, like buttoning a shirt and what he remembers from the past. Standard tests can assess all his abilities and difficulties. A medical history is compiled.

Computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging are brain scans that assist in making a diagnosis. The test results are compared to other individuals in the same or similar peer group. Problems that are severe are easier to diagnose. For subtle deterioration, significant testing is needed.

The brain is the most complex organ in the human body. It contains mysteries yet to be discovered. Control centers for sensory perception and motor skills have been identified. Brocas area has been determined to be the language center.

The neuropsychologist is concerned with the way behavior is affected by the brain. He researches the relationship between the two. Any psysiological defect will directly affect behavior.

He will determine the extent of the defect and identify the best treatment plan. The hope is to assist the patients recovery in the best way possible. The neuropsychologist can work in the area of pediatrics or focus on dementia that is the result of Alzheimers or another disease.

Although neuropsychology is a relatively new field, the study of the human brain has been an endeavor of scientists for centuries. Understanding of how it functions and how it determines behavior is a field that has concerned scientists since before they were called scientists. Abnormal behavior can be compared to that of the average person in any age group. The goal is to help change abnormal behavior when possible.




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