Role of Clinical Neuropsychology

Neurocritical care (NCC) is an intensive, highly advanced care, sub-specialty field that integrates neurology, neurosurgery, intensive care medication, neuro-anesthesia, and clinical neuropsychology among others. It provides the interface between the brain and other affected organ systems to closely monitor and treat life-threatening diseases of the nervous system, such as brain and spinal cord trauma, ruptured aneurysms, severe strokes, refractory seizures, or complicated brain tumors. Clinical Neuropsychology is increasingly becoming a part of the neuroscience disciplines including neuro-critical teams owing to widely used screenings, psycho-diagnostics, and curative and rehabilitative programs as a part of the Continuum of Care (CoC) model for patients. This chapter focuses on the WHAT, WHY, WHO, and HOW of the role of Clinical Neuropsychology in Neurocritical Care, including cognitive dysfunctions in neurological conditions, the need, rationale, and types of neuropsychological psychodiagnostics used in neurocritical care, the continuum of care, the role of patient consent and patient privacy in multi-disciplinary treatments, and the limitations or challenges faced by neuropsychologists in NCC units.