Psychiatria pre prax 2/2014

Neuropsychological tests and cognitive training of mental functioning in psychiatry patients

This review, dedicated mainly to clinical psychologists at psychiatry, attempts need of neuropsychology in the treatment management of psychiatric patients, pointing out how the work of neuropsychologist can help to enhance cognitive functioning. Mental disorders include not only behavioral and emotional changes, but also cognitive ones. Whether present depression, schizophrenia or abuse of psychoactive drugs lead to cognitive dysfunction, or impaired brain plasticity due to neurotransmitters dysbalance leads to mental disorders, have not been known yet. Cognitive dysfunction among psychiatric patients were found primarily in areas such as perception, memory, attention, speech, and executive functions. Neuropsychological testing involves observation, anamnestic interviewing and clinical psychological testing of patients. Following the evaluation of the level of cognitive deficit, a specific remedy is needed for more effective inclusion of patients into usual life. The tasks tailored to the patient are applied in the framework of cognitive trainings, the latest ones include computer programs. Neuropsychology in psychiatry might be useful for diagnostic and therapeutic support of patients and their families in order to remove psychosocial consequences of cognitive deficits.

Keywords: cognitive deficit, neuropsychological testing, cognitive training.