Neuropsychology Clinic

Expertise

Our neuropsychology clinic has over 30 years of experience in providing comprehensive neuropsychology assessments and treatment recommendations for the cognitive and behavioral effects of neurologic, psychiatric and other medical disorders. Our experienced neuropsychologists, most of whom are board certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology, have specialized expertise in a wide range of complex conditions. These include traumatic brain injury, memory disorders and neurodegenerative disorders, like Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, stroke, Moyamoya disease, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, cancer, and brain tumors. 

Memory disorders

Neuropsychological evaluation can help differentiate between normal aging, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia. Results from the evaluation can be helpful in understanding the causes of memory and related functional decline. Our neuropsychologists in the Stanford Center for Memory Disorders work closely with neurologists to assist with diagnosis clarification and treatment planning.

Epilepsy

Correct identification and removal of the seizure source is critical to the success of epilepsy surgery for individuals with intractable epilepsy. The neuropsychological evaluation is used to provide measures of brain function to determine concordance with other pre-surgery neurodiagnostic findings through imaging tests like EEG, MRI, MEG, and PET that help identify the seizure focus.

The neuropsychological evaluation is also used to determine post-surgery outcome, emotional adjustment, and return to work and school. Our neuropsychologists are a part of the Stanford Comprehensive Epilepsy Center.

Movement disorders

Individuals who are candidates for deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery undergo neuropsychological evaluation to help determine if surgery is right for them. Our neuropsychologists are part of the Stanford Movement Disorders Center team and work directly with the center's neurologists and neurosurgeons.

Neuropsychological evaluation helps predict post-surgery cognitive and behavioral outcome, identify cognitive and behavioral deficits that can be present in movement disorders, and track the long-term cognitive and emotional effects of medical and surgical treatments.

Traumatic brain injury/concussion

Both mild and more severe traumatic brain injuries can affect mental abilities, behavior, and emotions. Our neuropsychologists perform assessments to evaluate the cognitive and psychological effects of trauma to the brain. We document level of recovery to assist with treatment planning, and to determine readiness to return to work and other life activities.

In addition to providing services to the community, our neuropsychologists conduct evaluations for patients with sports-related concussions, including members of the San Francisco 49ers, Stanford Cardinal football team, and other Stanford sports teams.

Multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis can affect cognition, behavior, and mood. Neuropsychological assessment helps identify and characterize an individual's cognitive strengths and weaknesses. The evaluation contributes to treatment planning, and patient and family goal setting. Repeated assessments can be done to evaluate changes in mental functioning over time. Our neuropsychologists are members of the Stanford Multiple Sclerosis Center.

Stroke

Patients who have suffered a stroke or cerebrovascular event undergo neuropsychological evaluations to establish a level of overall function, which helps guide recommendations for neurocognitive rehabilitation, vocational adjustments, and social-emotional support, as needed. A subset of patients, those with Moyamoya disease, are also evaluated. These individuals undergo a pre-surgery cognitive evaluation to establish a baseline prior to surgical treatment. They are also usually re-evaluated as part of post-surgery follow-up.