The Alan and Barbara Mirken Department of Neurology offers on-staff expertise in both neuropsychiatry and neuropsychology. Each discipline plays a different, but important role in the department and in the care of the neurology patient.

The Role of Neuropsychiatry
The division’s neuropsychiatrist works collaboratively with the neurologists to treat and manage the emotional and cognitive symptoms of neurological diseases. Such symptoms can include depression, anxiety, psychosis, hallucinations and/or cognitive loss.

The ability to treat such psychiatric consequences of neurological disease and conditions allows the division to provide the most comprehensive care to their patients seeking the best possible quality of life.

Psychiatric interventions can include psychotherapy and/or medication.

The Role of Neuropsychology
The department’s neuropsychologist evaluates both children and adults who have symptoms or concerns regarding memory, concentration, language, problem solving, organization, perception, mood or personality. These changes can be mild or severe, and they may stem from various neurological, medical, or psychological causes. Patients can refer themselves to the doctor, or they may be referred by their physician. Results of the examination can help differentiate among illnesses, provide a diagnosis, and assist with treatment recommendations. Some of the most common reasons that a patient may see a neuropsychologist include (but are not limited to):

• Epilepsy
• Parkinson’s disease
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Dementia
• Stroke
• Head injury
• Brain tumor
• Hydrocephalus
• Genetic disorders
• Lyme disease
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Attention deficit
• Language disorder
• Learning disability
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Personality changes

Depending on the results of the examination, treatment recommendations may include medication, referral to a neurologist or other physician, speech and occupational therapy, psychotherapy, educational accommodations and cognitive remediation.

Outreach Efforts
In addition to holding eight different support groups each month for patients and caregivers, the department sponsors an annual all-day caregivers support symposium. There, the department’s neuropsychiatrist and neuropsychologist work closely with the caregivers in helping families access mental health care for the patients, as well as support for the caregivers.

View Neuropsychiatry and Neuropsychology Physicians