THE CONTRIBUTION OF NEUROPSYCHOLOGY TO PS YCHIATRY

Human neuropsychology is the study of brain-behavior relationships bas ed on the analysis of functional disturbances after brain damage. The assessment and analysis of pathological states and processes in the br ain on cognition, speech and language, praxis, motivation and affectiv ity, represent the main topics of neuropsychological research. Patient s with psychiatric disorders very often exhibit cognitive impairments which should also be assessed by means of specific neuropsychological diagnostic tools. The advantage of such tools is their validity and re liability which allow accurate qualitative and quantitative analysis a nd characterization of the various cognitive impairments. Neuropsychol ogical methods of assessment can also be used for follow-up measuremen ts, for example, in studies on the effect of medication. Finally, the outcome of a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment can provide a useful basis for the treatment of cognitive impairments in psychiatri c patients using means that have proved successful in brain-damaged pa tients.