A component of the evaluation is a neuropsychological assessment. This is a neurodiagnostic approach that differs from traditional psychological assessment in its emphasis on understanding, diagnosing and treating individuals with reference to brain systems that mediate behavior. These evaluations are clinically indicated and medically necessary in individuals with known or suspected brain dysfunction. They establish the effects of dysfunction on psychological processes such as attention, memory, language and use of spatial abilities. The sensitivity of neuropsychological assessment is such that it frequently reveals brain function abnormalities in the absence of positive findings using neuroradiologic scans.
Neuropsychological evaluations can also be helpful in evaluating drug treatment effects.
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