Neuropsychologist, who has a significant role

Neuropsychology: Brain function in psychology

Author: Chaeyoon Lee

Editor: Minjae Shin

Ironically, the human brain only occupies 2% of our body, but it controls all the thoughts, emotions, movements, etc. (Winston Medical Center). While the brain consists of three main parts of the brainstem, the cerebrum and cerebellum ‘limbic system’ contains the hypothalamus, the amygdala, the thalamus, and the hippocampus. Many of our emotions and motivations, especially those that are linked to survival, are impacted by limbic system structures. The feeling and expression of emotions, as well as some of the body's autonomic processes, are all governed by the limbic system. It also provides people the ability to feel and express emotions, including fear, anger, joy, and sadness, which helps them communicate and withstand psychological and physical hardships. (My-Ms.org)

Among many different jobs that people take, there is a job named ‘neuropsychologist’ responsible for the research of the connections between the human brain and behavior. As neuropsychologists offer a more thorough grasp of cognitive conceptions, neuropsychology enables the determination of which cognitive functions are lacking or intact. (UNC School of Medicine) They usually observe and explore and create study data via their neuropsychological evaluation. Intelligence, executive functions (such as planning, abstraction, and conceptualization), attention, memory, language, perception, sensorimotor functions, motivation, mood state and emotion, quality of life, and personality styles are all evaluated using neuropsychological tests. (UNC School of Medicine) The purpose of these evaluations/tests is to identify the pattern of brain-related strengths and weaknesses, to gain an awareness of the underlying origin of the difficulties, to make a diagnosis, and to provide specific recommendations for appropriate intervention and treatment. It could also work for the purpose of clinical reasons. For example, they evaluate human behavioral and cognitive changes caused by central nervous system disease or injuries, such as Parkinson’s disease or another movement disorder. They assist doctors in determining whether any of the following factors are to cause of your problems and symptoms: Illness, like Alzheimer', and brain damage. emotional illnesses, such as anxiety or sadness. (Advanced Psychology Assessment, P.C.) Basically, they integrate information collected during the evaluation process with details given by other medical/healthcare providers in order to identify and diagnose neurobehavioral disorders, as well as plan and implement intervention strategies.

The role of neuropsychologists is significant nowadays because it is helpful in understanding and managing each neurological problem. Particularly, the perspective of treatment preparation. Neuropsychologists offer clinical decisions/recommendations/advice for cognitive disorders and psychological adjustment, as well as a strengths and weaknesses profile to help guide recovery, developmental, vocational, or other services. Furthermore, they also assess cognitive functioning in regard to work, school, and residential care. (Brain & Spine Foundation)

In conclusion, neuropsychologists who analyze how our behavior and brain relate to each other have a significant role that could save lots of lives by assessing the brain functions, finding out the treatments for it based on their research, etc. Therefore, the role that neuropsychologists have been working on is influential since all of our body is controlled by the system in the brain.

Reference:

"Brain Anatomy Pt. 2." My-MS.org, my-ms.org/anatomy_brain_part2.htm#:~:text=The%20limbic%20system%20controls%20the,survive%20physical%20and%20psychologic%20upsets.

"Human Brain Facts." Winston Medical Center, www.winstonmedical.org/human-brain-facts/.

"Neuropsychological Evaluation FAQ." UNC School of Medicine, www.med.unc.edu/neurology/divisions/movement-disorders/npsycheval/.

"1. What Is Neuropsychology." Advanced Psychology Assessment, P.C., www.advancedpsy.com/documentation/1-what-is-neuropsychology/.

"What Does a Neuropsychologist Do?" Brain and Spine Foundation, 13 Mar. 2019, www.brainandspine.org.uk/news/what-does-a-neuropsychologist-do/#:~:text=A%20neuropsychologist%20is%20trained%20to,and%20ability%20to%20process%20information.

Dutta, Sanchari Sinha, Ph.D. "Limbic System and Behavior." News Medical Life Sciences, 24 May 2021, www.news-medical.net/health/Limbic-System-and-Behavior.aspx.