Clinical neuropsychology: definition, what it studies and objectives.

A summary of this very specialized branch of psychology: clinical neuropsychology.

Among the best known neurosciences is clinical neuropsychology, which is basically the discipline in charge of understanding how clinical neuropsychology works.This is basically the discipline in charge of understanding the functioning of the nervous system and how its affectation, especially at the cerebral level, implies symptomatology.

This branch of knowledge is relatively new, although in the last two centuries it has contributed greatly to understanding how our brain works, especially when it is affected by some kind of injury or other problem.

Let's learn more about clinical neuropsychology, its characteristics and functions, in this article.

What is clinical neuropsychology?

The clinical neuropsychology is a This branch of psychology is in charge of studying the relationship between the brain and behavior in the clinical context of disorders..

Based on this knowledge, the professionals of this discipline, who are the clinical neuropsychologists, are able to define a diagnosis from what is observed in the patient, in addition to establishing a treatment to improve their standard of living.

Clinical neuropsychology is a branch of psychology that requires a high degree of specialization from requires a high degree of specialization from those who dedicate themselves to it.. Clinical neuropsychologists have a deep knowledge of the brain and its functions, in addition to having the ability to relate the symptoms manifested by the patient with the affectation of one or another area of the brain. Thus, those who specialize in this area of knowledge know what are the causes and consequences of a neuropathology manifested in the patient.

Although usually patients who come to this type of professionals suffer from a brain injury caused by some kind of impact or disease that damages nerve cells, there are also those who come due to some kind of infection, tumor or other medical condition that involves psychological symptoms and alteration in their cognitive abilities, emotions and behavior in general.

It is a very scientific branch, which has been developing its theoretical and practical corpus through empirical and evidence-based research, in addition to making use of reliable tools such as neuroimaging, neuropsychology and neuropsychology. reliable tools such as neuroimaging, batteries of questionnaires and diagnostic methods of medicine.. Neuropsychology combines knowledge from neuroanatomy, neurobiology, neuropathology and psychopharmacology. Thus, he acts as a bridge between the study of the brain and the general nervous system, on the one hand, and the psychological phenomena potentially affected by diseases that may have affected the above (e.g., symptoms reflected in decision-making, impulse regulation, memory recall, etc.).

What are your areas of research and intervention?

What distinguishes a clinical neuropsychologist from a clinical psychologist is the degree of knowledge about the brain that he or she possesses, as well as the brain alterations and how they manifest themselves in the person in the form of psychopathology.

In neuropsychology it is essential to have knowledge and know how to use various questionnaires, such as the Stroop test, Stroop's testsuch as the Stroop test, the MMPI and WAIS among others. Thus, through its interpretation, the neuropsychologist can know the degree of cognitive impairment of the patient, seeing their deficits in learning, memory, attention, literacy, problem solving and decision making.

Patients who come to this type of professionals may suffer from all kinds of problems at the encephalic level, being the object of study and intervention the most common ones.The symptoms caused by cranioencephalic trauma, cerebrovascular accidents, brain tumors, epilepsy, dementia, severe mental disorders, developmental problems, autism... Because of this, clinical neuropsychology is present in places such as hospitals, especially in the neurology and rehabilitation area, as well as psychiatry.

Historical background

Although the term "clinical neuropsychology" was coined for the first time in 1913 by Sir William Osler, it could be said that its antecedents are much earlier than the 20th century.

While defining it as part of this discipline would perhaps be a mistake, the fact is that primitive trepanations, performed during the Neolithic period, could be considered as the first techniques remotely related to clinical neuropsychology.

It has been assumed that these practices, which consisted of opening a hole in the skull of a person, were intended to make the 'evil spirits', which caused the atypical behavior of the affected person, leave his or her head. Thus, it could be said that this practice was based on the belief that the psychopathic the belief that psychopathology had a cerebral basis and that it could be dealt with by and that it could be dealt with by surgical intervention on the brain.

However, the clearest and most solid roots of modern clinical neuropsychology can be found from the 19th century, when more than a few European physicians argued that there must be a relationship between the dysfunctional brain and syndromes. a relationship between the dysfunctional brain and the syndromes their patients manifested. syndromes manifested by their patients.

Many were the great figures of that century and the following one who contributed to the development of this science. John Hughlings Jackson was the first to hypothesize that cognitive processes take place in parts of the brain, and this was confirmed by the findings of his own research. and this was confirmed by the findings of Paul Broca and Karl Wernicke through their findings on language problems and affected brain areas.

Others, more from the side of statistics and methodology, such as Francis Galton and Karl Pearson, helped to establish research in psychology as we know it today and, therefore, also neuropsychology.

As for the tools used by neuropsychologists, one should not omit the important work of Alfred Binet and Theodore Simon who jointly developed the Binet-Simon intelligence scale, setting the precedent for the creation of cognitive assessment batteries.

However, as has happened with medicine and pharmacology, it is misfortunes that have advanced clinical neuropsychology. The outbreak of World War I and World War II, as well as the Korean and Vietnam wars, resulted in thousands of badly thousands of badly wounded soldiers, many of them with brain involvement due to physical trauma, gunshot or hemorrhage.. Based on their symptoms and the area of injury, it was possible to obtain extensive information about which areas of the brain are responsible for certain functions.

Objectives

Fundamentally, the task of the clinical neuropsychologist can be summarized in four main objectives.

1. Diagnosis

Through the use of batteries of questionnaires, observation of pathological behaviors and the use of neuroimaging techniques, the neuropsychologist can establish a diagnosis for the patient.. Thus, it is possible to know if the atypical behavior of the person is due to a real injury, a brain tumor or hemorrhage or, on the contrary, the cause is rather psychiatric.

Also, based on the type of behavior manifested by the patient, it is possible to surmise, both with and without the use of neuroimaging, in which area of the brain the damage has occurred.

In this phase, various aspects are evaluated, such as the cognitive abilities of the affected personand their ability to react to environmental stimuli.

2. Care of the patient

Once the diagnosis is established, it is necessary to see the best way to care for the patient in order to avoid impairment of his or her abilities.

Caring for the patient does not only involve the professionals, but also involves educating the affected person's environment to be a source of support in his or her recovery.

The relative sensitivity of the questionnaires used in this field and their proven accuracy make it possible to determine what care is needed by the patient. the care required by the patient and to prevent deterioration, or at least to delay it.or at least delay it.

Depending on the severity of the patient, it will be necessary to follow up and administer various tests over time, with the intention of observing the patient's progress.

3. Treatment

The main treatment option for patients who have suffered a neurological injury is, basically, rehabilitation and recovery, to the extent possible, rehabilitation and recovery, as far as possible, of cognitive deficits..

If it is possible and the intervention involves more benefits than risks, surgery, performed by a neurosurgeon, may be another option. However, it is usual to opt for less invasive techniques, it is usual to opt for less invasive techniquesIf possible, a treatment plan should be established to achieve an increase in their daily performance and to promote an increase in their wellbeing.

4. Research

Clinical neuropsychology is not only dedicated to diagnose and treat patients. Also, as part of the science that it is, it aims to expand its knowledge through scientific research. In this way, it is able to improve its treatment and diagnostic capacityIn this way, new questionnaires and techniques are developed to improve the affected abilities of patients.

Since the brain is perhaps the most mysterious organ in the entire human body, we are constantly delving deeper into its functioning and establishing the areas behind particular symptomatology.

Bibliographical references:

• Antonio, P. P. (2010). Introduction to neuropsychology. Madrid: McGraw-Hill.
• Broks, P. (2003). Into the Silent Land: Travels in Neuropsychology. Atlantic Monthly Press.
• Davis, Andrew, ed. (2011). Handbook of Pediatric Neuropsychology. New York: Springer Publishing.
• Finger, S. (2000). Minds Behind the Brain: A History of the Pioneers and their discoveries. New York: Oxford
• Hall, J.; O'Carroll, R.E.; Frith, C.D. (2010), Neuropsychology. Companion to Psychiatric Studies. New York: Elsevier,