Interpreting and reporting

7 important questions on Interpreting and reporting

(Re)integrate all available information and check for completeness.



1. Knowledge of functional neuro -anatomy anatomy
2. Knowledge of brain diseases and their consequences for behaviour
3. Knowledge of psychology, clinical psychology, cognitive psychology and psychopathology
4. Referral question
5. Medical file, medical history, current status, neuro -imaging data etc.
6. Psychosocial history of patient
7. Interview with patient and peer
8. Observation data
9. Test results

Estimate the validity and reliability of the assessment

  1. sensory impairments
  2. motor impairments
  3. (mild)aphasia
  4. perceptual problems
  5. medication -> psychotropic effects
  6. motivation problems
  7. concentration problems
  8. fatigue
  9. malingering e.o.
  10. cultural background

Estimate premorbid functioning

  1. not just intellectual functioning
  2. 'hold' vs 'don't hold' test (abilities that are mostly resistent to neurological damage and are used to test premorbid abilities. )
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Calculating standardised scores

  1. Which norm group?
  2. difference between tests
  3. preferably recalculate all scores to one type
  4. calculate confidence interval
  5. provide a clear legend
  6. not all scores are comparable

When is a test  abnormal?

  1. Take the entire test profile into account
  2. more tests -> greater difference between highest and lowest scores
  3. a difference of 3SD between two tests is not uncommon
  4. differences in aptitude are not always clinically meaningful
  5. consider premorbid functioning
  6. consider reliability of test and whether scores are corrected for age, education e.d.


  1. Rule of thumb, 1.5-2 SD below average is abnormal
  2. calculate standard error of measurement

Make decisions about affirmation and rejection of hypotheses

  1. some hypothesis can be eliminated immediately
  2. be aware of confirmation bias.
  3. what is the 'a priori chance' of a disorder?

Medical history and medication

  • list relevant factual information

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