In Part 2 of our discussion with Stephen Correia, Ph.D., ABPP-CN, we talk about training neuropsychologists in imaging, interacting with radiologists, the relationship between brain structure and function, and recommendations regarding imaging. See the show notes for Part 1 for Steve’s bio.
A pdf of the transcript for this episode is available here.
If you’d like to receive APA-approved CE credit for listening to this episode, click here.
Topics Covered
- Training neuropsychologists in neuroimaging
- the importance of the Houston Conference Guidelines and the idea that we should be informed consumers of all neurodiagnostic techniques
- How neuropsychologists should go about interacting with radiologists in clinical settings to maximize the quality of clinical care
- adopt a collaborative approach, ask for education, clarify when necessary, and attend neuroradiology rounds whenever possible
- How to handle the situation where you have obtained a radiology report and you have questions about the findings but you are unable to contact the author of the report
- The boundaries of neuropsychologists’ scope of practice with respect to interpreting neuroimaging
- The approach taken by many radiologists in interpreting brain scans, including what may and may not be included in the radiology report
- How neuropsychological trainees and professionals might go about improving their knowledge and skills in interpreting brain scans, including recommended resources (see below)
- The importance of understanding 3-dimensional neuroanatomy when interpreting scans
- The relationship between brain structure and brain function
- How to find out whether or not radiologists age-correct in their interpretations of atrophy
- How to think through the decision about whether or not to recommend neuroimaging at the end of a neuropsychological report
Resources
Brain Imaging, Paul Lebby:
Education and training in neuroimaging:
https://www.nmr.mgh.harvard.edu/training/courses
Good resources for studying brain anatomy from MRI images:
http://w-radiology.com/atlas_brain_mri.php
http://headneckbrainspine.com/ (the tutorial on how to operate can be found here: http://www.touchneurology.com/
Selected References
Baker, L. M., Laidlaw, D. H., Cabeen, R., Akbudak, E., Conturo, T. E., Correia, S., … & Salminen, L. E. (2017). Cognitive reserve moderates the relationship between neuropsychological performance and white matter fiber bundle length in healthy older adults. Brain imaging and behavior, 11(3), 632-639.
Gordon, B. A., Blazey, T. M., Su, Y., Hari-Raj, A., Dincer, A., Flores, S., … & Cairns, N. J. (2018). Spatial patterns of neuroimaging biomarker change in individuals from families with autosomal dominant Alzheimer’s disease: a longitudinal study. The Lancet Neurology, 17(3), 241-250.
Malloy, P., Correia, S., Stebbins, G., & Laidlaw, D. H. (2007). Neuroimaging of white matter in aging and dementia. The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 21(1), 73-109.