Neuropsychology Central

dr_b · Joined: 08 Dec 2005 Posts: 1

I know these questions have been asked a million times. But I am absolutely lost.

I'm currently a junior in college getting my ba in developmental psychology. Here are my questions.

I've done my research. But what EXACTLY does a neuropsychologist do?

I want to go to graduate school as soon as I possibly can (preferrably as soon as I get my BA). But should I get some experience first considering I have none at this point or should I apply anyway?

Paendrag · Joined: 18 Jan 2005 Posts: 32

experience suggestions:

directed individual research in neuroscience (talk to your professors)

honors thesis

neuropsychologist:

ask to shadow a neuropsychologist or two. maybe if there is an academic medical center around with a neuropsych team, ask if you can observe and participate in case discussions

baumk · Joined: 15 Jan 2006 Posts: 1 Location: Ohio

That's my suggestion. Even if it's only for a semester or two, get involved in some type of research. Talk to your professors and tell them your interests and they should be able to direct you to a source within the school/department or community.

It would be GREAT experience to shadow a neuropsychologist for a day. There is a great variety in the field, depending on if they are more clinical or more research-focused. I am a Psychometrist for a Pediatric Neuropsychologists and she focuses the ~70% of her time in research and the remainder in seeing children with neurologic conditions. She administers neuropsychological tests (as do I) and she assesses the deficits in their memory/language/intelligence. Among other projects, we are conducting research utilizing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to assess the language development of children with stroke versus children with 'normal' development.
Neuropsychologists study all kinds of patient populations using all types of methodological techniques. You can study adults or kids with psychiatric disorders (bipolar, schizophrenia), neurologic disorders (stroke, seizure, Alzheimers), developmental disorders (Downs syndrome), as well as many others. Do some research using journal databases to review some research topics and see what areas interest you. Good luck!