Editing Neuropsychological test (section)

{{Short description|Assess neurological function associated with certain behaviors and brain damage}}
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  Name        = Neuropsychological test |
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  MeshID      = D009483 |
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{{neuropsychology}}
'''Neuropsychological tests''' are specifically designed tasks that are used to measure a psychological function known to be linked to a particular [[brain]] structure or pathway.<ref>Boyle, G.J., Saklofske, D.H., & Matthews, G. (2012). (Eds.), SAGE Benchmarks in Psychology: Psychological Assessment, Vol. 3: Clinical Neuropsychological Assessment. London: SAGE. {{ISBN|978-0-85702-270-7}}</ref> Tests are used for [[cognitive neuropsychology|research]] into brain function and in a [[clinical neuropsychology|clinical]] setting for the diagnosis of deficits. They usually involve the systematic administration of clearly defined procedures in a formal environment. Neuropsychological tests are typically administered to a single person working with an examiner in a quiet office environment, free from distractions. As such, it can be argued that neuropsychological tests at times offer an estimate of a person's peak level of cognitive performance. Neuropsychological tests are a core component of the process of conducting [[neuropsychological assessment]], along with personal, interpersonal and contextual factors.

Most neuropsychological tests in current use are based on traditional [[psychometric]] theory. In this model, a person's [[raw score]] on a test is compared to a large general population [[normative]] sample, that should ideally be drawn from a comparable population to the person being examined. Normative studies frequently provide data stratified by age, level of education, and/or ethnicity, where such factors have been shown by research to affect performance on a particular test. This allows for a person's performance to be compared to a suitable [[control group]], and thus provide a fair assessment of their current cognitive function.

According to Larry J. Seidman, the analysis of the wide range of neuropsychological tests can be broken down into four categories. First is an analysis of overall performance, or how well people do from test to test along with how they perform in comparison to the average score. Second is left-right comparisons: how well a person performs on specific tasks that deal with the left and right side of the body. Third is pathognomic signs, or specific test results that directly relate to a distinct disorder. Finally, the last category is differential patterns, which are typically used to diagnose specific diseases or types of damage.<ref>Seidman, Larry J. (1998). Neuropsychological testing. Harvard Mental Health Letter, 14 (11), 4-6.</ref>