Basics of Neuropsychology
AIPS|AUUP
Module 1
INTRODUCTION
THE HUMAN BRAIN:










The brain has evolved to play a particularly significant role in the human body, not only
in sustaining life, but also in all thought, behavior, and reasoning.
It is the only organ completely enclosed by protective bony tissue, the skull, and it is the
only organ that cannot be transplanted and still maintain the person’s self.
An isolated human brain is a pinkish-grey mass of tissue which on first sight is not
dissimilar in appearance to a giant walnut. If held in the palm of one’s hand, it is
deceptively firm and heavy (an adult brain weighs about 1.5 kilograms or 3.5 pounds)
and greasy to touch.
This organ has enabled human beings to become the most dominant species on earth
with all of their many artistic, scientific, medical and technological achievements. But
what exactly is it that is so special about the human brain? Part of the answer is its great
complexity.
Like any other part of the body, the brain is composed of highly specialized cells, the
most important being neurons whose function is to communicate with each other using
a mechanism that is not dissimilar to an electrical on–off switch.
It has been estimated that our brain contains 100 billion neurons– a figure so great that
if you took a second to count everyone it would take over 30,000 years.
However, what makes the human brain really complex is the way its neurons are
arranged and connected. Neurons rarely form connections with each other on a one-toone basis, but rather a single brain nerve cell may project to between 5,000 and 10,000
other ones. This means that for 100 billion neurons there are literally trillions of
connections (called synapses) in the human brain, and it is at these tiny sites that the
main information processing of the brain takes place.
Neurons move information at different speeds. The fastest speed for information to
pass between neurons is about 250 mph. Lowest is about 1.12 mph.
This figure is truly astronomical – in fact, Richard Thompson (see, for example,
Thompson 1993) has gone so far as to say that the number of possible synaptic
connections among neurons in the human brain is greater than the number of atomic
particles that constitute the entire universe.
About 75 percent of the brain is made up of water. This means that dehydration, even in
small amounts, can have a negative effect on the brain functions.
V. K. Sharma’s Notes
Basics of Neuropsychology

AIPS|AUUP
Module 1
The brain can’t feel pain. It interprets pain signals sent to it, but it does not feel pain.
Because there are no nociceptors located in brain tissue itself.
DISCUSSION ON SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHES:




Research 1: Your brain on imagination: It's a lot like reality, study shows.
Research 2: Every person has a unique brain anatomy
Research 3: Human Brain Loves Surprises, Research Reveals
Research 4: Even brief maternal deprivation early in life alters adult brain function and
cognition: Rat study
Understanding the concept of Neuropsychology
Neuropsychology is the one of the six divisions of Biopsychology.
Biopsychology is the scientific study of the biology of behavior. Some refer to this field as
psychobiology, behavioral biology, or behavioral neuroscience.
V. K. Sharma’s Notes
Basics of Neuropsychology
AIPS|AUUP
Module 1
Relation between Neuropsychology and Other disciplines of Neuroscience
The Rationale for Neuropsychological Evaluation
A neuropsychological evaluation includes an interview with a clinical neuropsychologist and
assessment with a series of neuropsychometric tests.
Neuropsychological testing is frequently ordered in cases of traumetic brain injury or if an
individual seems to be having difficulties related to an undiagnosed brain injury from the
past.This is because even if brain damage can be seen on an MRI or CT scan or by some of the
newer, more sensitive imaging studies, this will not tell you what effects the brain damage is
having on the individual.
The leading textbook on neuropsychological testing explains, “Even when the site and extent of
a brain lesion have been shown on imaging, the image will not identify the nature and residual
behavioral strengths and the accompanying deficits; for this neuropsychological testing is
needed.” (Lezak, et al. 2012).
V. K. Sharma’s Notes
Basics of Neuropsychology
AIPS|AUUP
Module 1
Neuropsychological tests are specifically designed tasks used to measure a psychological
function known to be linked to a particular brain structure or pathway. They are typically
administered to a single person working with an examiner in a quiet office environment, free
from distractions.
A Neuropsychological Evaluation Helps Determine:
• which functions of the brain have been disrupted
• to what extent
• what these changes mean in the person’s day-to-day life
• what can be done to help
What Do Neuropsychological Tests Measure?
1. Attention and Processing Speed - d2 Test of Attention; Stroop Test
2. Motor Performance - Bender Visual Motor Gestalt Test (This test evaluates visualperceptual and visualmotor functioning, yielding possible signs of brain dysfunction, emotional
problems, and developmental maturity.); Finger Tapping (Oscillation) Test (This procedure
measures motor speed. By examining performance on both sides of the body, inferences may be
drawn regarding possible lateral brain damage.); Grooved Pegboard (This procedure measures
performance speed in a fine motor task. By examining both sides of the body, inferences may be
drawn regarding possible)
3. Sensory Acuity - Quick Neurological Screening Test (This is a rapid assessment to identify
possible neurological signs, primarily in motor, sensory, and perceptual areas.); Sensory
Screening Test (Tectile Sensation)
4. Working Memory - Wechsler Memory Scale—III
5. Learning and Memory - California Verbal Learning Test
6. Intelligence - Ammons Quick Test (This test has been used for many years to help assess
premorbid intelligence. It is a passive response picture-vocabulary test.); Wechsler Adult
Intelligence Scale
7. Language - Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination
8. Calculation - Kaufman Functional Academic Skills Test (A brief, individually administered
test designed to determine performance in reading and mathematics as applied to daily life
situations.)
9. Visuospatial Analysis - Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (Analyzes aspects of visuospatial
ability and memory in all ages.)
10. Problem Solving and Judgment- Tower of London (A test for all ages, assessing higher-level
problemsolving, valuable for examining executive functions and strategy planning.)
V. K. Sharma’s Notes
Basics of Neuropsychology
AIPS|AUUP
Module 1
11. Abstract Thinking - Shipley Institute of Living Scale (Comparison of vocabulary knowledge
and ability to figure out abstract sequential patterns has been established as a sensitive
measure of general brain functioning.)
12. Mood and Temperament - Beck Depression or Anxiety Scales; Rorschach Projective
Technique (This familiar inkblot test is used to evaluate complex psychological dynamics.
Persons with brain injury have been shown to produce certain kinds of responses that can
complement other tests and help to understand personality changes associated with brain
injury.)
13. Executive Functions - Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (Assesses key areas of
executive function (problemsolving, thinking flexibility, fluency, planning, deductive reasoning)
in both spatial and verbal modalities, normed for ages 8-89); Wisconsin Card Sort Test
Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery: A set of tests that examines language,
attention, motor speed, abstract thinking, memory, and spatial reasoning is often used to
produce an overall assessment of brain function.
Kaplan Baycrest Neurocognitive Assessment: Assesses cognitive abilities in adults,
including attention, memory, verbal fluency, spatial processing, and reasoning/conceptual
shifting.
Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery: This is a set of several tests designed to cover
a broad range of functional domains and to provide a pattern analyses of strengths and
weakness across areas of brain function. The tests reflect a quantitative model of A. R. Luria's
qualitative assessment scheme.
V. K. Sharma’s Notes
Basics of Neuropsychology
AIPS|AUUP
Module 1
Causes of Brain Damage
Six Causes:
1. Brain Tumors – meningiomas (type of brain tumor)
2. Cerebrovascular Disorders- Strokes : two types of strokes: cerberal hemmorahge ,
cerbral ischemia – thrombosis & embolism
3. Closed Head Injuries – contusion & concussion
4. Infections of the Brain – due to brain infection, inflammation is called encephalitis.
Cerebral abscesses (pocket of pus in the brain).
5. Neurotoxins – exposure to any one of a variety of toxic chemicals such as Mercury and
Lead.
6. Genetic factors – Down Syndrome
General Symptoms of Brain Damage:
Physical symptoms

Loss of consciousness for a few seconds to a few minutes

No loss of consciousness, but a state of being dazed, confused or disoriented

Headache

Nausea or vomiting

Fatigue or drowsiness

Problems with speech

Difficulty sleeping

Sleeping more than usual

Dizziness or loss of balance
Sensory symptoms

Sensory problems, such as blurred vision, ringing in the ears, a bad taste in the mouth or changes in the ability to smell

Sensitivity to light or sound
Cognitive or mental symptoms

Memory or concentration problems

Mood changes or mood swings

Feeling depressed or anxious
V. K. Sharma’s Notes
Basics of Neuropsychology
AIPS|AUUP
Module 1
WebLinks:
https://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/what.html#:~:text=Information%20travels%20at%20dif
ferent%20speeds,fast%20as%20120%20meters%2Fsec.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/07/180710104631.htm
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/04/010415224316.htm
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/12/181210144943.htm
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/05/180503142724.htm
https://youtu.be/C4Gt322-XxI?list=PL1rlyeH9IV_ts-laLQSQ-YDXcl447p7m6&t=3
https://www.thoughtco.com/amygdala-anatomy-373211
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-23696-6
V. K. Sharma’s Notes