1. What Is Neuropsychological (Neurocognitive) Testing?
Eric Strachan, Ph.D.
Psychologist, Madison Clinic
Assistant Professor, UW Psychiatry
Last Updated: 9/29

2. The Plan Appreciate the complexities of cognition
Understand the domains of typical neuropsychological testing
Apply the domains to HIV-associated Neurocognitive Disorders

3. A Classic…
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Tihs is an uarbn mtyh, by the way, although the premise is true.

4. My Point Thinking (“cognition”) is a complex, multifaceted phenomenon
Perception
Transformation
Decoding
Integration
Experience

5. The Domains of Cognition
Processing speed
Attention/Working memory
Learning
Memory
Visual spatial ability
Language
Executive Functioning
Motor Functioning
Emotional Behavior

6. Processing Speed

7. Attention/Working Memory

8. Imagining Impairment in Processing Speed and Working Memory
Remember this 10-digit string…

9. Imagining Impairment in Processing Speed and Working Memory
Got it?

10. Imagining Impairment in Processing Speed and Working Memory
Now, remember these instructions…
Go out of the building and take a left.
Go 3 blocks until you see the sign for N. Ogren.
Turn left.
The address is 416 N. Ogren.

11. Imagining Impairment in Processing Speed and Working Memory
Who can tell me the number AND the instructions?

12. Imagining Impairment in Processing Speed and Working Memory
Go out of the building and take a left.
Go 3 blocks until you see the sign for N. Ogren.
Turn left.
The address is 416 N. Ogren.

13. Memory I’m going to read you a list of words…
I’m going to read you a short story…
Immediate recall and delayed recall
Correlated but not perfectly
The information can “get in there” even if initial recall is difficult

14. Language
F A S
Tell me the names of all the kinds of…
Picture naming

15. Executive Function Control and management of other cognitive functions
Necessary for
Planning/Decision making
Error control/Troubleshooting
Novel situations (not part of routine)
Dangerous or difficult situations
Response override (“I want that cake, but…”)

16. Executive Function
Red
Blue
Green
Yellow
Orange

17. Executive Function

18. HAND Definition Impairment in at least 2 cognitive domains
1 or 2 standard deviations depending
Interference with day-to-day functioning
At least 1 month
No competing explanations

19. General Overview of Interventions
Limited treatment trials in HIV-associated cognitive impairments but several general approaches should work given the deficits
Verbal, Written, Visual (the 4 V’s?)
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