FAQ

• Following a brain injury or illness, patients often undergo neuroimaging. CT or MR brain images provide information regarding the structure of the brain (i.e., pictures of the brain) but do not speak to the function of the brain. Neuropsychological assessment examines the impact of neurological injury and illness on cognitive (i.e., attention, memory, processing speed, visual perception, language, executive functioning, motor skills), behavioral, and psychological functioning.
• Neuropsychological evaluation examines the behavioral expression of neurological functioning
• Neuropsychologists are psychologists with specialized training in the relationship between the brain and behavior. They have training in functional neuroanatomy, neurologic and related disorders, non-neurologic conditions affecting CNS functioning, neuroimaging/neurodiagnostic techniques, neurochemistry of behavior, neuropsychology of behavior (https://uh.edu/hns/hc.html)
• https://www.nanonline.org/docs/PAIC/PDFs/NANPositionDefNeuro.pdf
• Neuropsychological Services in Canada

• Sport neuropsychology is an area of specialty practice in neuropsychology. Sport neuropsychologists have additional training and experience in the assessment and monitoring of neurological injuries in athletes.
• Sports neuropsychologists conduct neuropsychological assessments, diagnose, and provide support for athletes with a suspected brain injury.
• Sports neuropsychologists often work as part of a team of practitioners collaborating to support the physical and mental health of athletes. They are well versed in the unique stressors experienced by professional, semi-professional, and recreational athletes.
• Sports neuropsychologists evaluate an athlete’s neurocognitive abilities, psychological state, and rehabilitation needs while considering the nature of the injury, pre-existing medical/cognitive/psychological conditions, adjustment to injury, and return-to-play guidelines.
• The goal of sport neuropsychological assessment following a brain injury is to inform medical return-to-play recommendations and ensure that athletes do not return to sporting activities prior to recovery from neurological injury.
• https://www.nanonline.org/docs/ResearchandPublications/PositionPapers/2012%20Interorganizational%20Role%20of%20NP%20Sports%20Position%20Paper.pdf

Some cognitive abilities remain stable following changes in brain function and provide a good estimate of your previous level of function. Your results are also considered in the context of your academic and occupational functioning and your reported level of previous functioning. Neurological illnesses and injuries are also associated with different patterns of performance and one of the goals of the assessment is to examine whether your results are consistent with the nature of your illness or injury.

It is normal to feel nervous before an assessment. While you don’t need to study for the examination, there are some things you can do to prepare for the assessment:

• Avoid alcohol the night before the assessment.
• Get a good night’s sleep.
• Eat breakfast so you are not hungry and distracted during the assessment.
• Bring a list of your medications to your appointment.
• Write down questions you may have so that you don’t forget them.
• Make sure to bring your glasses and/or hearing aids to the appointment.
• Bring photo identification and your health card.
• Take your medications as prescribed. Please let me know if you are taking stimulant medication prior to your appointment.
• Let me know if you have had a previous neuropsychological assessment and bring a copy of the assessment report if possible.

Many patients struggle with symptoms (e.g., fatigue, pain, emotional distress) that can make a full day of testing challenging. In these cases, two half-day testing sessions may be scheduled.