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. 2022 Apr;42(2):88-106.
doi: 10.1055/s-0042-1745741. Epub 2022 Apr 27.

The Neuropsychiatric Approach to the Assessment of Patients in Neurology

Nicholas T Trapp  1   2 , Michael R Martyna  1   3 , Shan H Siddiqi  4 , Sepideh N Bajestan  1
Affiliations

The Neuropsychiatric Approach to the Assessment of Patients in Neurology

Nicholas T Trapp et al. Semin Neurol. 2022 Apr.

Abstract

Neuropsychiatry is a clinical neuroscience specialty focused on the evaluation and treatment of patients who present with symptoms at the intersection of neurology and psychiatry. Neuropsychiatrists assess and manage the cognitive, affective, behavioral, and perceptual manifestations of disorders of the central nervous system. Although fellowship training in behavioral neurology-neuropsychiatry exists in the United States and several other countries internationally, the need for neuropsychiatric expertise greatly outweighs the number of specialists in practice or training. This article serves as a primer for both neurologists and psychiatrists seeking to improve or refresh their knowledge of the neuropsychiatric assessment, including detailing aspects of the history-taking, physical exam, psychometric testing, and associated diagnostic work-up. In doing so, we urge the next generation of neurologists and psychiatrists to take on both the opportunity and challenge to work at the intersection of both clinical neuroscience specialties using an integrated neuropsychiatric perspective.

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Conflict of interest statement

N.T.T. reports all support for the present manuscript (e.g., funding, provision of study materials, medical writing, article processing charges, etc.) from NIMH K23MH125145 which covers research time at the University of Iowa July 2021 to present; Payment or honoraria for lectures, presentations, speakers bureaus, manuscript writing or educational events from Washington State Psychiatric Association Lecture on Deep Brain Stimulation for OCD; Patents planned, issued, or pending U.S. Patent P12734US01, “Midline marking device and method of using” from University of Iowa patent; Participation on a Data Safety Monitoring Board or Advisory Board for Participation on K23 TMS clinical trial project DSMB for a colleague and received no financial support; and Leadership or fiduciary role in other board, society, committee, or advocacy group, paid or unpaid member of the National Network of Depression Centers Neuromodulation Task Force and received no financial support.S.H.S. reports grants or contracts from NARSAD Young Investigator Grant (PI), Baszucki Family Foundation Grant (co-I), NIMH K23 Grant (PI), VA Merit Grant (co-I) all paid to institution; Consulting fees from Magnus Medical (paid to author); Payment or honoraria for lectures, presentations, speakers bureaus, manuscript writing or educational events from Otsuka and Brainsway (paid to author); Support for attending meetings and/or travel from Magnus Medical (Paid directly to conference) and Brainsway (paid fees and requested reimbursement); Patents planned, issued, or pending US201990749A1 (no royalties); Leadership or fiduciary role in other board, society, committee or advocacy group, paid or unpaid from NNDC Neuromodulation Task Group co-chair (unpaid), Clinical TMS Society Research committee member (unpaid), Clinical TMS Society Clinical Standards Committee member (unpaid); and Stock or stock options from Brainsway (Shareholder in publicly traded company) and Magnus medical (Options in startup).

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