Úvod - Diagnostika a léčba - Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation - Neuropsychology

Neuropsychological Assessment

Neuropsychological evaluation is an essential part of the diagnostic and treatment process, not only for patients with pharmacoresistant epilepsy, but also for many others with neurological conditions.

It plays a key role in assessing brain function and helps determine how seizures may be affecting cognitive abilities, behavior, and psychological well-being.

Neuropsychological testing focuses on assessing a wide range of cognitive functions, including:

Memory
Attention
Visuospatial abilities
Language
Executive functions (such as planning, organization, and problem-solving)

It also evaluates psychological symptoms, such as:

Mood disturbances
Anxiety and depression
Emotional instability
Irritability
Personality changes

In addition, the assessment may identify signs of neurodevelopmental disorders, such as:

ADHD
Global developmental delay

As part of the epilepsy surgery evaluation program, neuropsychological testing helps to:

Localize functional areas of the brain that may be affected by or responsible for seizures
Assess potential risks of surgery, particularly those related to cognitive or emotional function
Establish a baseline before surgery and evaluate outcomes afterward

This information is essential for making informed decisions and optimizing the safety and success of epilepsy surgery.

You will typically undergo a neuropsychological assessment:

During the evaluation process for epilepsy surgery
One year after surgery to assess changes and long-term outcomes
At later intervals if needed, depending on your clinical course

What to Expect During the Assessment?

The neuropsychologist will begin by having an in-depth conversation with you about your epilepsy, the difficulties you experience, and how the condition affects your daily life. These factors are highly individual—just like the type, frequency, and severity of seizures, and the effects of anti-seizure medication.

You will also be asked to complete a series of standardized tests and questionnaires designed to evaluate the current functioning of your brain, including how epilepsy may be impacting specific cognitive domains, such as memory, attention, language, and executive functions.

If you have previously undergone psychological or psychiatric assessments, or have been evaluated by an educational-psychological counseling center (PPP) or special education center (SPC), please bring any available reports with you to your appointment.

How Long Does It Take?

For adults, a pre-surgical neuropsychological evaluation as part of the epilepsy surgery program typically takes 5–6 hours of actual testing time. For children, the evaluation usually takes 2–4 hours. These assessments are most often conducted during hospitalization, and may be divided into multiple sessions based on your energy and concentration levels.

The post-surgical follow-up evaluation is usually done on an outpatient basis and takes approximately 2.5–3 hours.

You will need a referral form (examination voucher) for your follow-up outpatient visit, which will be provided by your treating neurologist during a routine check-up, along with help scheduling the appointment.

Note: For pediatric patients seen at the Children’s Hospital, no referral is required for follow-up neuropsychological evaluations.

Because of the length of the assessment, it is important to:

Be well rested
Be well fed before the exam
Bring water or a drink
Avoid fatigue if traveling long distances—consider requesting a later appointment time rather than early morning
If you use reading glasses or a hearing aid, make sure to bring them with you.

Where Cay You Have a Neuropsychological Assessment?

Adult Patients

If you are scheduled for a neuropsychological evaluation at St. Anne’s University Hospital (FNUSA), please come to the 5th floor of Building C1 and follow the signs marked “Neuropsychological Outpatient Clinic.”

Paediatric Patients

For patients at the Children’s Hospital, please go to the central registration desk, take a ticket labeled “neurology” from the kiosk, and inform the staff that you are there for a neuropsychological evaluation.
If you know the name of the psychologist you are seeing, please mention it at check-in.

The Clinical Psychology Outpatient Clinic is located in the basement level (-1) of Building G.