Neuropsychological Assessment in Neurocognitive Disorders

Neuropsychological testing is a method of evaluating neurocognitive disorders that relies on quantitative and clinical data to diagnose and describe the functioning of patients. It uses functional anatomic correlations to evaluate the functional integrity of underlying brain regions and processes. Although yielding lateralization and localization information, the primary benefit of neuropsychological testing is in the quantification of cognitive skills and the discerning of subtle deficits early in the course of neurocognitive disorders. Neuropsychological testing can also distinguish between the contributions of neurologic and emotional functioning in patient symptoms and assist in appropriately directing treatment. This article describes the process of neuropsychological testing in neurocognitive disorders and gives examples of the different skill deficits present in each. [ Psychiatr Ann . 2016;46(2):118–126.]