Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsNeurocognitive FunctionNeurocognitive TestingNeurocognitive DeficitNeurocognitive RehabilitationFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Neurocognitive Function
Neurocognitive Testing
Neurocognitive Deficit
Neurocognitive Rehabilitation
Frequently Asked Questions
Cognitive skills are mental processes that allow you to gain knowledge and give you the ability to think. Neurocognitive functions are mental processes that are linked to specific parts of the brain or pathways in the brain.
Neurocognitive testing, also called neuropsychological testing, assesses a variety of cognitive skills, such as memory, visual and spatial skills, language and math skills, and problem-solving abilities.
This article discusses neurocognitive function, factors that affect it, how it is tested, and how deficits are treated.
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What Can Affect Neurocognitive Function?
Age and Neurocognitive Function
Neurocognitive functions often decline with age. Over time, the brain can shrink, and areas of the brain begin to lose the ability to effectively communicate with each other.
Neurocognitive skills are classified into five domains in the standard diagnostic tool of mental health professionals, theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5).
These include:
Neurocognitive disorders range from mild to severe, depending on a person’s ability to perform daily tasks without assistance. In mild cases, a person has difficulty with more complex cognitive tasks such as managing money. A moderate deficit can cause difficulty with self-care tasks such as eating or getting dressed. In severe cases, a person is unable to care for themselves.
Examples of neurocognitive disorders include:
Neurocognitive deficits can also occur with other medical conditions such as:
How Is Neurocognitive Function Tested?
Neurocognitive testing includes a variety of neurocognitive assessment tools (NCATs) that target different neurocognitive skills. NCATs are standardized tests that can be computerized or done on paper.
Examples include:
Neurocognitive tests may catch deficits early, when they are easier to treat.If you are concerned about your neurocognitive function, talk with your healthcare provider right away.
What Is a Neurocognitive Deficit?
A decline in neurocognitive function is called a neurocognitive deficit. These deficits can occur as a side effect of aging or as a result of health conditions that affect the brain.
There are two main approaches to neurocognitive rehabilitation: restorative and compensatory.
Neurocognitive rehab includes a wide variety of interventions, tailored to the specific deficits found during testing. Sample interventions for specific cognitive areas include:
Attention:
Memory:
Visuospatial perception:
Language/Communication:
Executive function:
Summary
Neurocognitive functions are skills that are linked to specific parts or pathways in the brain. Examples include social cognition, language, learning, memory, executive function, and perceptual-motor skills. Medical conditions that affect the brain can lead to deficits in neurocognitive function.
Standardized tests are used to assess neurocognitive skills. Limitations can be addressed with rehabilitation, either to restore function that has been lost or to help a person adapt to permanent changes in these abilities.
A Word From Verywell
If you or someone close to you is having difficulties with neurocognitive skills, talk to your healthcare provider. Testing can provide a baseline measurement of your brain function or help determine if deficits are present. Be proactive with treatment. Rehab interventions can help improve your function or help you learn to adapt to permanent limitations.
Neurocognitive measures are usually standardized tests or screening tools that assess specific neurocognitive skills.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Stanford Medicine.Cognitive and neuropsychological tests.McDonald WM.Overview of neurocognitive disorders.Focus (Am Psychiatr Publ). 2017;15(1):4-12. doi:10.1176%2Fappi.focus.20160030National Library of Medicine.Neurocognitive disorder.Salis F, M A, as.Cognitive assessment with neurocognitive screening tools.Journal of Aging Science. 2021;0(0):1-5. doi:10.35248/2329-8847.21.s5.001Harvey PD.Clinical applications of neuropsychological assessment.Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2012;14(1):91-99. doi:10.31887/DCNS.2012.14.1/pharveyBarman A, Chatterjee A, Bhide R.Cognitive impairment and rehabilitation strategies after traumatic brain injury.Indian J Psychol Med. 2016;38(3):172-181. doi:10.4103%2F0253-7176.183086
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Stanford Medicine.Cognitive and neuropsychological tests.McDonald WM.Overview of neurocognitive disorders.Focus (Am Psychiatr Publ). 2017;15(1):4-12. doi:10.1176%2Fappi.focus.20160030National Library of Medicine.Neurocognitive disorder.Salis F, M A, as.Cognitive assessment with neurocognitive screening tools.Journal of Aging Science. 2021;0(0):1-5. doi:10.35248/2329-8847.21.s5.001Harvey PD.Clinical applications of neuropsychological assessment.Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2012;14(1):91-99. doi:10.31887/DCNS.2012.14.1/pharveyBarman A, Chatterjee A, Bhide R.Cognitive impairment and rehabilitation strategies after traumatic brain injury.Indian J Psychol Med. 2016;38(3):172-181. doi:10.4103%2F0253-7176.183086
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Stanford Medicine.Cognitive and neuropsychological tests.McDonald WM.Overview of neurocognitive disorders.Focus (Am Psychiatr Publ). 2017;15(1):4-12. doi:10.1176%2Fappi.focus.20160030National Library of Medicine.Neurocognitive disorder.Salis F, M A, as.Cognitive assessment with neurocognitive screening tools.Journal of Aging Science. 2021;0(0):1-5. doi:10.35248/2329-8847.21.s5.001Harvey PD.Clinical applications of neuropsychological assessment.Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2012;14(1):91-99. doi:10.31887/DCNS.2012.14.1/pharveyBarman A, Chatterjee A, Bhide R.Cognitive impairment and rehabilitation strategies after traumatic brain injury.Indian J Psychol Med. 2016;38(3):172-181. doi:10.4103%2F0253-7176.183086
Stanford Medicine.Cognitive and neuropsychological tests.
McDonald WM.Overview of neurocognitive disorders.Focus (Am Psychiatr Publ). 2017;15(1):4-12. doi:10.1176%2Fappi.focus.20160030
National Library of Medicine.Neurocognitive disorder.
Salis F, M A, as.Cognitive assessment with neurocognitive screening tools.Journal of Aging Science. 2021;0(0):1-5. doi:10.35248/2329-8847.21.s5.001
Harvey PD.Clinical applications of neuropsychological assessment.Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2012;14(1):91-99. doi:10.31887/DCNS.2012.14.1/pharvey
Barman A, Chatterjee A, Bhide R.Cognitive impairment and rehabilitation strategies after traumatic brain injury.Indian J Psychol Med. 2016;38(3):172-181. doi:10.4103%2F0253-7176.183086
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