The use of Luria's method for the neurobehavioral assessment of encephalopathy in an adolescent: Application in a rehabilitation setting

Standardized neuropsychological test batteries demonstrate their greatest r eliability and validity ill patients with focal, well-defined neurologoic d isease. In these patients, the test profiles typically highlight focal area s of strengths and weaknesses in the brain. However, the clinical utility o f standard test batteries and their reliance oil scaled score differences i s limited when evaluating patients with severe or diffuse neurobehavioral; disorders. In the present case study, we applied the qualitative approach o f Alexander Luria to the neuropsychological evaluation of a severely ii,imp aired adolescent, unable to complete psychometric tests. Luria's investigat ive method was able to assist in the localization of the brain dysfunction and the neurologic diagnosis of a young patient with an unusual neurologic presentation secondary to serious multisystem disease. The initial neuropsy chological diagnostic impressions were later confirmed by diagnostic testin g The test results were also used to provide recommendations for ongoing ne urorehabilitation of the patient. (C) 2000 National Academy of Neuropsychol ogy. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.