The Latest in Neurobehavioral Health

List of blog posts

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  Should we require a cognitive fitness assessment for certain government leadership positions?

  At the start of Donald Trump's second presidential term, he was 78 years, 220 days old, and at the start of Joe Biden's term, he was 78 years, 61 days old, making them the oldest and second-oldest people, respectively, to assume the office of the presidency. During the bitter campaign season of the 2024 presidential election, the candidates' advanced ages were a central feature of debate and discussion, ultimately culminating in Joe Biden's disastrous debate performance and later his withdrawal from the race entirely. Many voters were left wondering whether the most powerful military on the planet, or the health and safety of hundreds of millions of people should be managed by an individual with questionable cognitive capacity. While a cognitive fitness requirement for office sounds like a useful safeguard, there are numerous complexities that make it unlikely any such requirement will come to fruition. (In case you were wondering, the youngest president was Teddy Roosevelt, who was 42 years, 322 days old when he assumed office)

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  Why Choose a Neuropsychologist for Autism or ADHD Assessments?

  When seeking an assessment for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), it’s essential to understand the differences between the professionals who offer these evaluations. While psychologists and psychiatrists are commonly involved in diagnosing and treating mental health and developmental conditions, a neuropsychologist brings a unique and specialized skill set that can provide significant advantages, particularly when it comes to understanding the brain’s functions in relation to behavior, cognitive processes, and emotional regulation.

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  Navigating the Search for an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Diagnosis

  When parents and caregivers have concerns about a child potentially having autism spectrum disorder (ASD), obtaining an appropriate assessment can be challenging due to a limited number of doctors who are appropriately qualified.communi This often results in long waitlists, causing ongoing worry about securing the right interventions for the child in a timely manner. Here are some important considerations when seeking an ASD evaluation:

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  Understanding Choline Deficiency: Its Cognitive Impact, Risk of Alzheimer's Disease, and Food Sources

  Choline, an essential nutrient, plays a crucial role in maintaining our health, particularly for brain function. Although our bodies can produce small amounts of choline, we still rely on external sources, such as food, to meet our nutritional needs. A deficiency in choline can have serious consequences, particularly when it comes to cognitive health and the risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this post, we'll dive into the prevalence of choline deficiency, the cognitive effects it can have, its connection to Alzheimer's disease, and the best food sources to help ensure you're getting enough of this vital nutrient.

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  The Myths and Realities of Healthcare Insurance: Why You Might Be Paying More Than You Should

  Healthcare insurance is a complex and often confusing topic, shrouded in myths and misconceptions. These myths can lead to poor decision-making, higher healthcare costs, and ultimately, enrich insurance companies at your expense. Let's debunk some common myths and uncover the realities of healthcare insurance:

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  Navigating the holidays when a family member has dementia

  Dos and Don'ts to minimize stress and keep the holidays running smoothly.

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  Understanding the Importance of a Neuropsychological Evaluation for Your Child

  As parents, we all want the best for our children, especially when it comes to their health and development. One important tool that can help ensure your child is on the right track is a neuropsychological evaluation. Here are some key reasons why you might consider having your child undergo this comprehensive assessment:

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  How Politicians Use Psychology To Sway Voters

  Let's face it, without voters supporting them, politicians would be out of a job. To win or stay in office, they have to persuade people to vote for them. Below is a list of psychological biases that politicians (on both sides of the aisle) use to try and get your vote. Having the privilege to vote is important in any functioning democracy, and being aware of the ways that your vote can be swayed can make you a more informed voter.

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  Financial Exploitation Among Older Adults - What to Watch for and When to Intervene

  The vast majority of seniors, and even many with mild levels of dementia, are able to make sound financial decisions and control their money responsibly. However, an increasing prevalence of financial exploitation in the US throughout the last couple of decades is highlights the increased importance of being aware of when an older adult may be falling victim, and being aware of when it is time to intervene.

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  Maximizing the Impact of Therapy for Your Child: A Guide for Parents

  As a pediatric neuropsychologist, I often hear parents express frustration when their child with emotional or behavioral challenges didn't seem to benefit from therapy as expected. Through my experience, I've noticed that understanding the nuances of therapy and taking a proactive approach can greatly enhance its effectiveness. Let's explore some strategies to make the most out of your child's therapy journey.

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  The Pitfalls of Overdiagnosis: ADHD in the Age of Social Media, Overidentification, and the Barnum Effect

  While ADHD is a very real and often debilitating condition that has the potential to significantly impact a person's daily functioning and quality of life, the ADHD diagnostic label has come to be appropriated by patients and even mental health and medical professionals who often have a well-meaning yet misguided understanding and appreciation of ADHD. While supporting people with ADHD with things like medications, interventions, and accommodations is important, ADHD overdiagnosis in the last 5-10 years has led to dramatic shortages of these resources such as stimulant medications and funding for special education that could and should be directed to individuals with this neurodevelopmental disorder. In this article, we will explore the nuances and complexities of ADHD diagnostic workups, in addition to providing some "red flags" to watch for in evaluations conducted by professionals without the knowledge, training, or tools to properly assess neurodevelopmental disorders.

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  Serial Killers: The Role that Brain Functioning Plays in Extreme and Repetitive Violence

  Serial killers have long been a topic of fascination and sometimes of terror for both the public and the scientific community. Scientists have so far struggled to make confident predictions about who will and will not go on to commit heinous, violent, and repetitive crimes. Some of this may be due to the relative rarity of these individuals, making it difficult to make generalizations about serial killers as a distinct group of people.

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  There are new drugs on the market for Alzheimer’s disease: Is it right for you or your family member?

  The medication aducanumab or Aduhelm has been making headlines since it was approved by the FDA as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. It is the first drug designed to target the buildup of plaques in the brain, otherwise known as amyloid beta plaques.

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  Cognitive Symptoms Following Mild TBI/Concussion - Causes and Treatments

  Learn about the signs, causes, and treatment options for mild traumatic brain injury (TBI), a common neurobehavioral condition. Get information on how to get tested for TBI and find answers to frequently asked questions. Mild traumatic brain injury (TBI), also known as a concussion, is a condition that occurs when the brain experiences a jolt or blow to the head. In this article, we will explore the signs and symptoms, causes, treatment options, and testing for mild traumatic brain injury.

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  How to Address Unsafe Driving with Loved Ones with Cognitive Impairment

  Good drivers are alert, think clearly, and make good decisions. When a person with dementia is not able to do these things, he or she should stop driving.

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  How to get more and better sleep: A neuropsychology perspective

  Insomnia will affect 30% of adults at some point in their lives, and 10% of adults struggle with chronic insomnia. Sleep deficits are well known to be associated with a wide range of negative medical and behavioral outcomes. Fortunately, the many problems associated with sleep are usually solveable with the consistent use of a few good habits.

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  So you think you have autism? - Many developmentally healthy adults mistake normal "symptoms" as signs of autism

  Chances are that if you spend any time on social media, you have encountered content and accounts that hold themselves out as autism "experts." Some account holders even claim that they were finally diagnosed with autism after years and years of being misunderstood and misdiagnosed. Many account holders then go on to list a series of "symptoms," that some of us identify with and we think "oh my gosh...that is me." And the rest is history.

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  Frontotemporal Dementia: Beginner's Guide to an Overlooked Illness

  When Bruce Willis and his family revealed that he had been diagnosed with "aphasia" during the spring of 2022, it generated a wide range of interest in this symptom, which is characterized by a loss of the ability to produce and/or understand language it its different forms (spoken or written). More recently, his family revealed that a more specific condition called "frontotemporal dementia" (FTD) had been identified as the case of the aphasia. So what exactly is FTD, how is it diagnosed, and should you be concerned about it?

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  Pseudodementia - Memory loss without dementia

  Pseudodementia (pronounced "SOO-doh-dim-en-cha") can produce symptoms every bit as frightening as the real thing (read: "pseudo" is derived from the Greek word "pseudes" which means "false"). Fortunately, the causes of this false dementia are often reversible and with some changes in habits along with discussions with members of your healthcare team, symptoms can get better or even go away entirely.