The relationship between independent neuropsychological and neurological detection and localization of cerebral impairment

Abstract

Seventy-eight patients referred to the Neurology Service of St. Louis Veterans Administration Hospital were independently diagnosed by a neurologist and a psychologist. The latter utilized the Halstead Neuropsychological Test Battery, a series of tests known to be a sensitive indicator of the presence and localization of cerebral impairment. The following diagnostic categories were used: no brain damage, localized left hemisphere impairment, localized right hemisphere impairment, diffuse, diffuse with greater left hemisphere impairment, and diffuse with greater right impairment. Diagnostic agreement was present in all but five cases. Statistical analyses of data from the Halstead Battery supported the clinical analyses in terms of indicating both the presence and, to a lesser degree, the location of organic impairment. Advantages of describing the consequences of organic impairment in objectively measured, quantifiable behavioral terms were discussed and an illustrative case history was presented. It was concluded that psychological test data are a clinically useful supplement to neurological diagnostic information.