Studying brain-behavior relationships, or neuropsychology, the aim is to understand how the brain controls and produces mental and behavioral processes, including emotions, learning, thinking, personality, memory and problem solving.

In cases of “less severe” traumatic brain injury where damage is not evident through testing or imaging, neuropsychology is specifically important because it can show how any damage to the brain can alter behavior and interfere with metal and cognitive functions.

Neuropsychological Testing

Neuropsychological testing involves reliable, standardized instruments that have the ability to predict with 80-95% accuracy.  The tests are designed to measure a psychological function that is linked to a particular brain pathway.  An examination consists of more than a dozen standardized tests and are administered one-on-one in a quiet office.

Providing the most accurate picture of a patient’s cognitive functioning, neuropsychological tests can indicate the amount of deviation from baseline norms.  The degree of cognitive impairment can be determined in:

• attention span
• concentration and distractibility
• ability to learn new skills
• short-term and long term memory
• ability to solve problems
• language
• visual-spatial organization
• logical and abstract reasoning
• planning and organizing abilities
• motor ability

The responsibility of a neuropsychologist is to determine the factors that influence how the brain is working in order to understand the extent of the injury, whether it will progress, the likelihood of recovery and time of recovery.

Neuropsychological Evaluation (NPE)

A neuropsychologist must have an accurate and extensive overview of a patient’s personality and abilities before the injury occurred in order to assess them.  The evaluation involves neurological testing and a review of recent educational records and test scores, employment evaluations, medical records and interviews with witnesses (spouses family members, coworkers, etc.) who can describe the patient before and after the brain injury.

Tarshish Cody is Minnesota’s premier personal injury law firm.  Our attorneys have extensive experience with traumatic brain injury cases due to all types of negligent accidents.

If you or someone you know is suffering from a traumatic brain injury, it is important to seek legal advice because you could be entitled to compensation.  We welcome your call today at 952-361-5556 (or fill out the free Case Evaluation Form) to learn more about how we can help you recover that settlement to pay those medical bills, physical therapy and recover lost wages.

Attorneys Practicing In This Area

Benjamin Tarshish

Kyle Kosieracki

Staff Supporting This Area

Margaret Segura