Navigating Neuropsychology

Becoming a neuropsychologist is a long, challenging journey that can also be incredibly rewarding. In this episode, John and Ryan are interviewed by Dr. Jeremy Sharp of The Testing Psychologist about their new book,  Becoming a Neuropsychologist: Advice and Guidance for Students and Trainees . John and Ryan tell Jeremy about the purpose and objectives of the book, they share aspects of their own p...

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a disorder of breathing during sleep.  It can lead to both sleep fragmentation and hypoxia, it has a negative impact on cardiovascular functioning, and it is associated with various neurobiological, cognitive, and emotional sequelae.  OSA is underdiagnosed in the general population, and even following successful diagnosis the most popular treatment (positive airway...

When multiple sclerosis (MS) is diagnosed prior to age 18, it is considered rare and referred to as pediatric MS.  Although they share a name, pediatric MS differs somewhat from MS in pattern and severity of its symptoms, as well as its cognitive sequelae.  To further clarify the neurological, cognitive, and behavioral profile of pediatric MS, John and Ryan spoke with Lana Harder, Ph. D., ABPP-CN,...

The Alzheimer's Association reports that 50% of older adults above age 80 have Alzheimer's disease.  Within the 50% of older adults who do not meet criteria for Alzheimer's disease, most experience typical age-related changes in memory.  However, there is a small group of older adults who Dr. Emily Rogalski, a clinical and cognitive neuroscientist at Northwestern University, calls "SuperAgers."  D...

As the COVID-19 pandemic endures, many neuropsychologists continue to conduct neuropsychological assessments via telehealth platforms.  Increased knowledge about telehealth practices garnered from clinical experience and an influx of publications about teleneuropsychology has allowed for further improved telehealth assessment practices.  We previously spoke with Dr. Munro Cullum about teleneuropsy...

Approximately one in every 2,800 babies are born with spina bifida each year.  Spina bifida is related to multiple physical and neurological symptoms including hydrocephalus, which differs from its presentation in older adults.  Today, John and Ryan talk with Christine Koterba, Ph. D., ABPP-CN, about spina bifida, hydrocephalus, and how neuropsychologists can contribute to the care of children wit...

Emerging research suggests that a sizeable portion of individuals hospitalized due to COVID-19 develop cognitive and psychological sequelae.  In our conversation with Dr. Chaya Fridman, a board-certified neuropsychologist at Cornell, we discuss the ways that SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) may lead to neurocognitive impairment, including both direct effects of the virus and secondary f...

About 50% of individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) exhibit cognitive deficits in additional to physical symptoms.  Depression and fatigue are also common in MS and can be debilitating.  Therefore, it is not uncommon for an individual with MS to be referred for neuropsychological evaluation, making it important for neuropsychologists to familiarize themselves with the neurobiological underpinnin...

Models for diagnosis and treatment of learning disorders have changed over time.  Still, there are many old beliefs and myths that may lead parents and schools in the wrong direction when working with children with learning disorders.  Today, John and Ryan talk with Robin Peterson, Ph. D., ABPP-CN, about learning disorders, issues around diagnosing disorders of written expression, the concept of a...

The book Fundamentals of Human Neuropsychology was born of a need that Dr. Bryan Kolb recognized while completing his postdoctoral fellowship at the Montreal Neurological Institute with Dr. Brenda Milner.  Dr. Kolb had asked his colleagues for a textbook on the human brain and, finding none, decided to create a course about "neuropsychology."  Now, Drs. Kolb and Whishaw's textbook is about to be r...

In our last Neuropsych Bite with Joel Kamper, Ph. D., ABPP-CN, we discuss limbic encephalitis, a condition involving inflammation of the limbic system that typically results in memory deficits, psychosis, seizures, and other symptoms. Show notes are available at www. NavNeuro.com/59 _________________ If you'd like to support the show, here are a few easy ways: 1) Get APA-approved CE credits for li...

The Relevance 2050 Initiative was first approved by the board of the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology (AACN) in 2015 to direct efforts to address the increasing diversity of the United States.  The Relevance 2050 Committee continues to support initiatives to recruit a more diverse pool of neuropsychologists, develop multicultural and multilinguistic norms, and to offer a network for ne...

We bring you another Neuropsych Bite with Joel Kamper, Ph. D., ABPP-CN, to discuss Balint's syndrome, a rare neurological condition characterized by optic ataxia, oculomotor apraxia, and simultanagnosia due to parietal-occipital lesions.  This is the third episode in a series of rare neurological disorders. Show notes are available at www. NavNeuro.com/57 _________________ If you'd like to support...

There are several hallmark assessments of memory and higher-level cognitive functions that are commonly used and recognized by neuropsychologists.  Among these are the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS) and the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT), which were developed by Dr. Dean Delis, a board-certified neuropsychologist.  Today, we talk with Dean about executive functions, the D-...

In this Neuropsych Bite, we brought Joel Kamper, Ph. D., ABPP-CN, back on the podcast to discuss moyamoya, a rare condition that causes transient ischemic attacks and/or repeated strokes.  The term "moyamoya" ("puff of smoke" in Japanese) refers to the smoke-like presentation on angiography.  This is the second episode in a series on rare neurological disorders. Show notes are available at www. Na...

Neuromodulation may allow us to create sustained and generalizable changes in cognitive and brain functioning.  For today's episode, John and Ryan talk with Adam Woods, Ph. D., a national leader in the field of neuromodulation, about how novel non-invasive interventions can potentially enhance the effects of cognitive training and lead to improved cognitive functioning in older adults at risk for...

Our rock-star co-production coordinator, Leslie Gaynor (a graduate student at the University of Florida and intern at Emory University), talks with Suzanne Penna, Ph. D., ABPP-CN, about internship preparedness, applications, and interviews for NavNeuro's student listeners.  Additionally, they discuss how the internship interview process will differ this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Show note...

Our current nosology of psychopathology relies on a categorical model that has notable limitations.  For example, this medical model of classifying mental disorders does not account for the significant heterogeneity of symptom presentations across psychopathology.  Today, we speak with Robert Latzman, Ph. D., to discuss the Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP), an alternative nosology...

The legalization of recreational and medical marijuana in several states has brought about more urgent questions about the potential cognitive and neuropsychiatric effects of cannabis use, particularly related to long-term use.  Today we talk with Igor Grant, M.D., F.R.C.P., about contemporary cannabis research and how neuropsychologists should consider cannabis use when completing neuropsychologi...

The cognitive consequences of non-central nervous system (non-CNS) cancer and cancer-related treatments did not become the subject of scientific investigation until recently and is still a growing area of research.  Contemporary studies have made it clear that neuropsychology is an integral part of the evaluation and care of individuals with cancer.  Today we talk with Michael Parsons, Ph. D., ABP...

There is a need for neuropsychologists in an inpatient rehab setting and throughout follow-up care for children who are resuscitated after experiencing a cardiac arrest.  Today, we talk with Beth Slomine, Ph. D., ABPP-CN, about the risks and benefits associated with therapeutic hypothermia for these children, and her involvement in the THAPCA multi-site trial. Show notes are available at www. NavN...

The U.S. has the largest annual incidence of new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) diagnoses among high-income nations.  This is relevant for neuropsychologists because individuals with HIV develop a spectrum of cognitive, motor, and/or mood problems collectively known as HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder (HAND).  In this episode, we talk with April Thames, Ph. D., about cross-cultural consi...

Previously, test score labeling has varied across practitioners, leading to discrepancies in the interpretation and communication of neuropsychological assessment results. The American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology (AACN) formed a consensus conference to address this concern, charged with establishing a uniform test score labeling system.  Today we talk with co-chair Tom Guilmette, Ph. D., A...

As states and counties begin lifting stay-at-home orders, many neuropsychologists are considering resuming their in-person clinical services.  However, there is no clear roadmap to guide reopening and ensure patient and provider safety.  Today we talk with Laura Lacritz, Ph. D., ABPP-CN, who is on the frontlines of returning to in-person neuropsychological evaluations in the context of the COVID-1...

Technology is changing at an ever-increasing rate, warranting the need to stay updated with current advancements.  Today we talk with Raeanne Moore, Ph. D., about using ecological momentary assessment (EMA), mobile cognitive testing (MCT), and wearable technology to assess cognitive and emotional functioning in a real-world environment.  We also discuss how these assistive technologies compare to...