Medical and emotional factors
Cognitive assessment before and after neurosurgery.
Where surgery is being considered for a brain tumor, epilepsy, an aneurysm, hydrocephalus, or another structural condition, testing describes how the brain is functioning beforehand — and what has changed afterwards.
Why an evaluation
The question this answers
Some neurological conditions may require neurosurgical treatment — brain tumors, epilepsy, aneurysms, hydrocephalus, or other structural abnormalities of the brain.
A neuropsychological evaluation gives physicians and patients an objective account of how these conditions, and the interventions used for them, are affecting cognitive functioning.
Testing is frequently conducted both before and after a procedure: a pre-surgical evaluation establishes a cognitive baseline, and post-surgical testing allows recovery and any change in functioning to be identified against it.
What testing examines
The domains examined
A comprehensive assessment describes how the brain is currently functioning and identifies cognitive strengths and vulnerabilities relevant to the questions the surgical team is weighing.
- Memory and new learning
- Attention and concentration
- Language
- Problem solving and reasoning
- Processing speed
- Executive functioning
Who it is for
Who is referred
Referrals come from neurosurgeons, neurologists, epileptologists, and treatment teams, generally at the point where surgical options are under consideration, and again after a procedure once the question becomes what has changed.
What you receive
What the evaluation gives you
A written report describing brain–behavior relationships in objective terms, which the neurosurgeons, neurologists, and treatment teams involved use to inform their own decisions. Surgical decisions remain theirs; this evaluation supplies the cognitive evidence they weigh.
For patients and families, the same report explains the cognitive side of the condition and of recovery in language that can actually be used.
Neuropsychological Associates provides assessment and consultation only. The practice does not provide counseling, psychotherapy, cognitive rehabilitation, neurologic consultation, or psychiatric assessment. Recommendations in the report are carried out by your own physicians and treating providers.
Arranging an evaluation
A letter of medical necessity or a physician's office note is required. Our office verifies your insurance benefits before anything is scheduled. Prefer to talk it through first? Call (631) 366-3369.