Neuropsychology

Neuropsychology Helps Those with Brain Disorders

Neuropsychology is the study of the relationship between the brain, behavior and thinking abilities.

At Penn Highlands Healthcare, neuropsychological assessments can be done for adults and older adults through Penn Highlands Behavioral Health Services and Penn Highlands Neurology.

Neuropsychological assessment can help diagnose and treat individuals showing symptoms of dementia, as well as individuals who have other medical or psychiatric conditions and experience problems with memory and other cognitive abilities. It can also be used to diagnose and treat concussions for any age.

We can also provide therapy and other services to adults and older adults who are dealing with issues such as mood or anxiety disorders and difficulty adjusting to health-related conditions.

Concussions

Concussion is a term for a brain injury that temporarily interferes with the way your brain works and can affect attention, memory, judgment, reflexes, balance, coordination and sleep patterns. Concussions occur when the head is hit, and the protection of the skull is not enough to protect it from being impacted. This can cause changes in chemicals and biological processes that go on inside the brain.

Testing is done through evaluation, which may include ImPACT, or Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing, a simple question and answer test administered on a computer. ImPACT test results are evaluated by Penn Highlands specialists, who use the findings to help determine treatment.