Clinical Approach to Cognitive and Neurobehavioral Symptoms
Purpose Of Review:
This article provides a framework for the approach to patients with cognitive or neurobehavioral concerns.
Recent Findings:
Recent advances in structural neuroimaging, functional neuroimaging, and disease biomarkers have greatly expanded knowledge of brain-behavior relationships, neural networks and functional connectivity, and pathophysiologic processes leading to cognitive and neurobehavioral disorders. However, any one of these studies is subject to misinterpretation if not applied in the appropriate clinical context.
Summary:
A systematic approach to the history and examination in patients with cognitive and neurobehavioral symptoms is important in marrying clinical assessments with contemporary diagnostic studies and treatments.
Related Concept Videos
Cognitive Therapy
Treatment Strategies for Psychological Disorders
Psychological therapies focus on modifying emotions, thoughts, and behaviors through talking, interpreting, listening, rewarding, challenging, and modeling. Clinical psychologists, counselors, and social workers commonly practice psychotherapy. Clinical...
Theoretical Approaches to Psychological Disorder
Biological approach
The biological approach posits that internal, organic factors are the primary causes of such disorders. This perspective emphasizes brain structure and function, genetic predispositions, and neurotransmitter imbalances. For example, schizophrenia has been associated with both genetic...
Negative and Cognitive Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Negative Symptoms
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia manifest as deficits in normal emotional and behavioral functioning, profoundly impacting daily life. Individuals with schizophrenia often display a flat affect, characterized by a near-total absence of emotional expression,...
Information Processing Approach
Cognitivism
Previously dominated by behaviorism, which prioritized observable behaviors and largely ignored mental processes, psychology transformed in the 1950s. Cognitive psychologists argue that understanding how we think and process...


