Neurosurgical Neuropsychology: an emerging sub-specialty

Abstract

In this review the role of neuropsychology in the management of neurosurgical pathologies is highlighted. The main neurosurgical disorders that a neuropsychologist can work with are head injuries, brain tumors, epilepsy, movement disorders, hemorrhagic strokes, and idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH). Neuropsychology plays a significant role during the two main phases of the neurosurgical management: (a) the pre-operative assessment, i.e. the diagnosis of the impact of a lesion on cognitive functions and (b) the post-operative or post-traumatic one, which will evaluate the cognitive result of the injury or of the surgical treatment. In the challenging field of neuro-oncological surgery, a third phase is added, namely the intraoperative one, where the neuropsychologist monitors patient’s brain function during electrostimulation in order to avoid damage to the eloquent areas. All the above stress the role of neuropsychology in neurosurgery and designate the need for neuropsychologists to be incorporated in the neurosurgical teams.