Advanced Procedures to Detect Traumatic Brain Injury (Neuropsychological Assessment)
The brain is an incredibly complex organ, and the symptoms of brain injury can be difficult to detect in patients who appear to function normally and who show no signs of trauma. In the case of mild traumatic brain injury, any impairment may be subtle. Also, it can be hard to tell if someone's symptoms, such as irritability or depression, are part of the brain injury, or due to the stress caused by the accident or rehabilitation process.
“Traumatic brain injury is not always recognized on traditional investigations, such as a CT head scan or an MRI,” says Dr. Brad Hallam, a neuropsychologist at Vancouver Coastal Health who is also active in the Men's Health Initiative of BC. “A patient may be referred for an independent medical assessment that tests different areas such as memory, concentration, language and spatial skills. These are typically done by a psychologist who specializes in pencil and paper testing of different cognitive functions.”
The neuropsychological assessment will usually include personality testing as well, as personality changes are common in some types of brain injuries. Once the psychologist has completed the necessary testing, the assessment scores will be interpreted to help determine the best treatment and rehabilitation plan.
After the neuropsychological assessment, the psychologist should sit down with the patient and their family members to explain the formal report in a way that everyone can understand. The psychologist's findings are very helpful for both the patient and for family members, who may be struggling to understand the changes in their loved one, and who may be primary caregivers involved in their rehabilitation.
Depending on the extent of the brain injury, a patient may undergo ongoing neuropsychological assessments to measure the effectiveness of injury rehabilitation.
