LEARNING GOALS + FOCUS POINTS METHODS OF
ASSESSMENT
Learning goals – Task 1
1. What can we learn from the early NP testing: an example of Luria?
a. What were the assumptions of brain functions of Luria?
i. Three principal functional units:
1. Regulating tone or waking and mental states → all other structures
rely on the waking state of this unit. Can inhibit and activate.
2. Obtaining , processing, and storing information → high modal
specificity of primary and projection areas.
3. Programming, regulation, and verification of activity → responsible
for human interactions, plans and programs of actions as well as
error monitoring.
ii. All 3 units work together.
iii. Functional systems are comprised of several brain regions.
b. How were these translated in neuropsychological assessment?
i. Unit 1 assessment: General characteristics of the patient (State of
consciousness, Mental activity, Complaints, Orientation)
ii. Unit 2 assessment: Evaluation of visual, somatosensory, and auditory
perception → sensory processing
iii. Unit 3 assessment: Evaluation of movement and action, Evaluation of
intellectual processes
c. Explain how the example of Luria’s examination reflect the basic assumption he had
i. Luria basically lay the groundwork for the qualitative analysis of symptoms
and a holistic approach to neuropsychological assessment: functions should
be viewed as working together, not in isolation.
ii. Syndrome analysis method was first aimed at local diagnostics of brain
pathology due to the absence at that moment of reliable assessment
methods to determine the location of brain lesions – 1940
iii. Syndrome analysis: stages
1. Finding out the symptoms of different mental function disorders
2. Qualifying the defect structure by analysis of the psychological
symptoms and their specific characteristics
3. Determining the neuropsychological factor associating the symptoms
into a specific neuropsychological syndrome
4. Localizing the brain damage according to the assumed factor
2. What is the clinical use of NP tests?
i. (1) Proper diagnose patients
ii. (2) Predict patient outcome
iii. Neuropsychological assessment adds unique value to prediction or
management of future patient outcomes. This is important because
improved prediction can potentially lead to earlier recognition of persons at
risk for poor outcomes and/or earlier intervention.
b. How can you test the clinical use of NP tests?
i. Using standardized psychometric tests and compare across groups
ii. Reliability, validity, sensitivity and specificity
iii. Showing the brain/behavior relation to make an appropriate decision about
deficit
iv. Examine cognitive deficits due to brain damage
ASSESSMENT
Learning goals – Task 1
1. What can we learn from the early NP testing: an example of Luria?
a. What were the assumptions of brain functions of Luria?
i. Three principal functional units:
1. Regulating tone or waking and mental states → all other structures
rely on the waking state of this unit. Can inhibit and activate.
2. Obtaining , processing, and storing information → high modal
specificity of primary and projection areas.
3. Programming, regulation, and verification of activity → responsible
for human interactions, plans and programs of actions as well as
error monitoring.
ii. All 3 units work together.
iii. Functional systems are comprised of several brain regions.
b. How were these translated in neuropsychological assessment?
i. Unit 1 assessment: General characteristics of the patient (State of
consciousness, Mental activity, Complaints, Orientation)
ii. Unit 2 assessment: Evaluation of visual, somatosensory, and auditory
perception → sensory processing
iii. Unit 3 assessment: Evaluation of movement and action, Evaluation of
intellectual processes
c. Explain how the example of Luria’s examination reflect the basic assumption he had
i. Luria basically lay the groundwork for the qualitative analysis of symptoms
and a holistic approach to neuropsychological assessment: functions should
be viewed as working together, not in isolation.
ii. Syndrome analysis method was first aimed at local diagnostics of brain
pathology due to the absence at that moment of reliable assessment
methods to determine the location of brain lesions – 1940
iii. Syndrome analysis: stages
1. Finding out the symptoms of different mental function disorders
2. Qualifying the defect structure by analysis of the psychological
symptoms and their specific characteristics
3. Determining the neuropsychological factor associating the symptoms
into a specific neuropsychological syndrome
4. Localizing the brain damage according to the assumed factor
2. What is the clinical use of NP tests?
i. (1) Proper diagnose patients
ii. (2) Predict patient outcome
iii. Neuropsychological assessment adds unique value to prediction or
management of future patient outcomes. This is important because
improved prediction can potentially lead to earlier recognition of persons at
risk for poor outcomes and/or earlier intervention.
b. How can you test the clinical use of NP tests?
i. Using standardized psychometric tests and compare across groups
ii. Reliability, validity, sensitivity and specificity
iii. Showing the brain/behavior relation to make an appropriate decision about
deficit
iv. Examine cognitive deficits due to brain damage
