Neuropsychology Service

The Outpatient Neuropsychology Service at UR Medicine specializes in evaluation of patients (ages 18 and over) showing signs of cognitive impairment associated with neurological conditions affecting the brain.

A neuropsychological evaluation helps doctors, patients, and their families better understand how the brain is working. This is especially important after a stroke, head trauma, neurosurgery, or in any case where changes in brain functioning may occur due to medical factors.

A clinical interview will be conducted and information about symptoms, medical history, medications, and other important factors will be discussed. Testing involves taking paper and pencil or computerized tests and answering questions.

Types of Evaluations

• Comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations
• Abbreviated neuropsychological testing
• Psychological evaluations to assist with medical clearance
• Comprehensive multidisciplinary evaluation to inform cognitive rehabilitation participation

Test scores are compared to scores from people similar in age, education, and other relevant demographic background information. The neuropsychologist can then identify a specific cognitive profile that is unique to each individual.

Test results are used to understand your situation in a number of ways. Testing can identify problems in specific areas of the brain. The tests are very sensitive to mild memory and thinking problems that might not be obvious in other ways. When problems are very mild, testing may be the only way to detect them.

Test results will inform treatment planning and medical management. For example, the results can help to plan and monitor rehabilitation or to follow the recovery skills after a stroke.