Abstract

HAASE, Vitor Geraldi et al. Neuropsychology and interdisciplinarity: consensus of the Brazilian community of researchers and in practitioners of Neuropsychology. Neuropsicologia Latinoamericana [online]. 2012, vol.4, n.4, pp. 1-8. ISSN 2075-9479.  http://dx.doi.org/10.5579/rnl.2012.125.

The main goal of the present paper is to present a review of neuropsychology, discussing its definition, subject matter, method(s), fields of application, professional practice. A brief analysis of the history of neuropsychology in Brazil is also presented. The discussion includes some of the main neuropsychological instruments used in Brazil, and its construction, adaptation and validation. Moreover, a consensus is searched on the responsible use of neuropsychological instruments by professionals with different training backgrounds. It is argued that neuropsychology is inherently interdisciplinary. By definition, neuropsychology has consolidated itself as an interdisciplinary field of practice and investigation, encompassing several scientific and practice fields with an interest on the relationships between the central nervous system and mental functions, in the larger field of Neuroscience. Neuropsychological instruments are basic tools for practice and research in neuropsychology, which should be conceptualized as the means to infer systematic associations between brain activity and its cognitive and behavioral correlates. As such, use of neuropsychological instruments should not be limited to just one category of professional. It is believed that this reflection may be useful to establish more objective parameters to formulate policies that are committed with social justice and responsible growth of neuropsychology in Latin America and in our country.

Keywords : Cognition; Instruments; Interdisciplinarity; Neuropsychological assessment; Neuropsychology.

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