Applications

1400 – Clinical Neuropsychology Assessment Services

Find out about the service or technology in this application and the medical condition it addresses. You can also view the application documents, the deadlines for providing consultation input and the outcome of the application when the MSAC process is complete.

  • Status Complete
  • Type -
  • Pre-PASC consultation -
  • Pre-MSAC consultation -
  • Outcome -

Application details

Reason for application

New MBS item.

Service or technology in this application

Clinical neuropsychology services include the administration and interpretation of the most scientifically validated, psychometrically sound, standardised tests of cognitive, motor, sensory and emotional functioning. Performances on these tests enable the clinician to not only identify areas of dysfunction but, because of the clinicians knowledge of cerebral localisation of function, specify what areas of the brain are affected and what the likely neuropathological syndrome is associated with it. So the neuropsychological examination sits among the other neuro-clinical assessments (EEG, CT, MRI, SPECT) in improving diagnostic accuracy.

In addition, clinical neuropsychology assessments enable a characterisation of the individual’s strengths as well as weaknesses therefore providing a sound basis for recommending rehabilitative, remedial or management strategies. The cognitive profile so produced can also be a baseline for future comparisons to monitor changes, treatment efficacy and/or cognitive decline.

Cognitive assessments of this nature have advantages over other neuro-clinical procedures. While magnetic resonance imaging scans, for instance, capture the structure of the brain, and positron emission tomography scan areas of changed metabolism, both are unable to predict cognitive abilities.

Type: Investigative

Medical condition this application addresses

Clinical neuropsychology services provide a ‘picture’ of the person’s brain but also its function in action.

Clinical Neuropsychology services are established services to a range of medical conditions but the majority of such patients referred are for the following disorders:

  1. Neurodegenerative (e.g., Alzheimer’s Disease, other dementias, multiple sclerosis);
  2. Acquired brain injury (ABI) (e.g., stroke, encephalitis, meningitis);
  3. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) (e.g., from motor vehicle accidents, sporting injuries, falls, assault, birth trauma).

Clinical neuropsychology services provide valuable specialist assessment, diagnosis, prognosis and the basis for sound management of nearly all disorders and medical conditions affecting the brain.

Application documents

PICO confirmation

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Meetings to consider this application

  • PASC meeting: 13 - 14 August 2015
  • ESC meeting: 7-8 February 2017
  • MSAC meeting: -