Neuropsychology Program
732-235-6333
Our Neuropsychology program offers specialized and comprehensive testing and assessment for adults with a wide range of neurologic and neurosurgical conditions. Our experts provide individualized assessment and neuropsychological evaluation services for patients who are experiencing difficulties with memory and thinking abilities.
What Is a Neuropsychology Evaluation?
During your evaluation, we will discuss the reason for your referral, your health history, and any symptoms you may be experiencing. Then you will be given a variety of assessment measures using both paper and pencil and a computer. All measures are administered in a face-to-face, one-on-one setting in a private, quiet room. You can take as many breaks as you need and ask any questions.
A typical neuropsychology visit takes about 3 to 4 hours, but may be shorter or longer depending on the complexity of your individual condition. For example, a pre-surgical epilepsy evaluation can take 6 to 8 hours depending on the reason for referral. A typical evaluation assesses:
- General intellect
- Motor and sensory skills
- Attention and concentration
- Organizing and plan abilities
- Language abilities
- Visual perception and spatial skills
- Memory and learning
- Psychological functioning
Some abilities may be measured in more detail because of your specific needs.
Following your evaluation, we will prepare a comprehensive report for you. Our doctors will share this information with your referring physician and use it to develop recommendations for your care. We also provide the results directly to you, through a separate in-person visit. The report will include detailed analysis of your test results and comprehensive recommendations/suggested intervention strategies as needed. We may also make suggestions for improving functioning and anticipating what your needs may be in the future.
Why Is a Neuropsychological Evaluation Important?
Neuropsychological assessment systematically evaluates cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functions that may be affected by brain injury or disease. We provide objective clinical data surrounding the patient’s cognitive function. This allows clinicians to distinguish between different causes of symptoms, such as differentiating depression-related memory problems from early dementia. It also helps identify subtle deficits that might not appear on routine neurological exams.
The assessment informs individualized treatment planning, guiding interventions like cognitive rehabilitation, psychotherapy, daily life recommendations, or referrals for speech and language pathology services. It establishes a baseline of functioning, which can be used to monitor recovery, progression, or response to treatment over time. Results also assist with practical recommendations for work, school, and daily life.
Importantly, neuropsychological testing supports patients and families by clarifying strengths as well as weaknesses, which helps in coping and planning. Overall, it bridges the gap between brain structure and real-world behavior, giving a comprehensive picture of how a person functions in everyday life.
Our program provides adult inpatient and outpatient services. In addition to the common outpatient indications noted above, neuropsychological assessment can be used when in the hospital for mapping/monitoring of tumors or exploring the foci of epilepsy. A neuropsychological evaluation is recommended any time a brain-based impairment in cognitive function or behavior is suspected.
What Should I Bring to My Evaluation?
- Your glasses
- Your hearing aids
- Take your medications as prescribed
- A snack and water
- Previous neuropsychological assessment reports
- Neuroimaging studies conducted outside of RWJBarnabas Health
- Neurology medical records from outside of RWJBarnabas Health
- Previous psychological, school-based, IEP, disability evaluations if you have access to them
Insurance Coverage for Neuropsychological Evaluations
We accept most major health insurance plans. However, individual coverage for neuropsychological testing varies from plan to plan. Our scheduling coordinators verify patient insurance benefits before appointments and will tell you about any expected out-of-pocket expenses.
If you have been referred by a provider outside of the RWJBarnabas Health, we will need documentation from the referring provider (a neurologist, for example) and any additional medical records that could be useful, such as neuroimaging or EEG results.
The Neuropsychology Team
David Scarisbrick, PhD, is a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist and an Associate Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. He specializes in assessing patients with neurological conditions, including movement disorders, traumatic brain injury, stroke, epilepsy, and neurodegenerative diseases. Working closely with the neurosurgical team, he assesses cognitive function before and after surgery while selecting intraoperative measures that help preserve cognitive abilities and maximize outcomes post-surgery.
Location
Rutgers Health Neuropsychology
Ambulatory Medical Pavilion
210 Somerset Street; 14th Floor
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Contact Us
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 732-235-6333.