There are several branches of psychology and behavioral pattern in an individual. Behavioral neuroscience, commonly known as behavioral neuropsychology, biological psychology, biopsychology, and psychobiology, is considered to be the application of the rules and the principles of biology. These principles are applied to the study of the physiological, genetic, as well as developmental mechanisms that are found in the behavior of humans and animals.
Neuropsychology or behavioral neuropsychology is more likely attached to the relationship that is between human behavior and the brain. The medical professionals that study the field are called neuropsychologists. Neuropsychologists will evaluate so that they can make out the behavioral along with the cognitive changes that can be the result of certain central nervous system disorders and diseases and injuries such as Parkinson’s disease and any other movement disorder.
Neuropsychological Evaluation
To understand and comprehend the neuropsychological behavior, the neurophysiologists will do a proper Neuropsychological evaluation. This evaluation is an assessment of the brain functions of an individual and how those functions will indirectly yield information regarding the structural as well as the functional integrity of the brain. The neuropsychological evaluation will involve an in-depth interview along with the administration of the tests. These tests will involve the usual pencil and paper test protocol. Some of the tasks that will be given to the people will be self-reports. These reports shall be completed by respective patients. They will get assistance from the technician and the helpers present at the time of the test. These tests are conducted and administered by a trained and experienced neuropsychologist or a psychometrist.
Neuropsychological tests can be standardized and they are given to all the patients in the same manner. The patients then score the points in a similar manner as well as the scores of an individual will be interpreted through a comparison of the scores to that of an individual who is healthy and shares a similar background as the patient. This will commonly include education, age, gender, traditional background, and others. This is the simplest way how the neuropsychologist will be able to understand the performance of the patient and what are their strengths and weaknesses.
Neuropsychological tests will evaluate and assess the functioning that can include intelligence, functions like planning, abstraction, attention, language, body language, perception, motivation, memory, mood state, life quality, personality, and behavioral patterns. All these areas shall be addressed for the evaluation of the individual.
Neuropsychological evaluation test time duration
A complete and proper evaluation for behavioral neuropsychology can around two to five hours to finish. In some cases, the test can also take around eight hours. The time is taken to finish the test also depends on person to person and on the complexity and complications of issues that are being addressed in the evaluation. It also depends on the condition of the patient. If a person is facing issues like fatigue, confusion, and poor motor slowing skills, the time can be further extended to complete the evaluation test. Sometimes, it can be very important to finish the evaluation in around two and more two sessions. The clinician and the people who conduct the test try their best to have the best possible professional of the patient for optimal conditions.
If you are someone who is taking the test, you must list all the medications they are taking and how often they change their medication. They should also bring along a friend or a family member while taking the test. It is advised to not worry or panic before and after taking the test. If they are facing any issues, they must let the clinician know about their condition.