Navigating Neuropsychology

Neuropsychology is a dynamic and growing field, and there is considerable interest in characterizing and understanding the current state of the profession.  The “Salary Survey,” led by Dr. Jerry Sweet and colleagues, is released about every five years and attempts to describe professional practices, beliefs, and incomes of U.S. neuropsychologists.  In this episode, John and Ryan talk with Jerry Sweet, Ph.D., ABPP-CN, about the survey, including trends in gender and race across time, increases in board certification rates, the addition of a Canadian survey, and other topics. Show notes are available at www.NavNeuro.com/72 _________________ If you’d like to support the show, here are a few easy ways: 1) Get APA-approved CE credit for listening to select episodes: www.NavNeuro.com/INS  2) Tell your friends and colleagues about it 3) Subscribe (free) and leave an Apple Podcasts rating/review: www.NavNeuro.com/itunes 4) Contribute to the discussion in the comments section of the website (click the episode link listed above) or on Twitter (@NavNeuro)   Thanks for listening, and join us next time as we continue to navigate the brain and behavior! [Note: This podcast and all linked content is intended for general educational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of psychology or any other professional healthcare advice and services. No professional relationship is formed between hosts and listeners. All content is to be used at listeners’ own risk. Users should always seek appropriate medical and psychological care from their licensed healthcare provider.]

Transverse myelitis is a disorder of spinal cord inflammation and demyelination. Although more common in adults, it does occur in children. In the past, people believed that transverse myelitis was not associated with cognitive symptoms, given that it exclusively impacts the spinal cord (not the brain). However, recent evidence suggests that performance on cognitive testing can be negatively impacted in some children with transverse myelitis. To learn more about this condition in children, John and Ryan speak with Lana Harder, Ph.D., ABPP-CN, who is a founding member and current Co-Director of the Children’s Medical Center Pediatric Demyelinating Disease Clinic. Show notes are available at www.NavNeuro.com/71 _________________ If you’d like to support the show, here are a few easy ways: 1) Get APA-approved CE credit for listening to select episodes: www.NavNeuro.com/INS  2) Tell your friends and colleagues about it 3) Subscribe (free) and leave an Apple Podcasts rating/review: www.NavNeuro.com/itunes 4) Contribute to the discussion in the comments section of the website (click the episode link listed above) or on Twitter (@NavNeuro)   Thanks for listening, and join us next time as we continue to navigate the brain and behavior! [Note: This podcast and all linked content is intended for general educational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of psychology or any other professional healthcare advice and services. No professional relationship is formed between hosts and listeners. All content is to be used at listeners’ own risk. Users should always seek appropriate medical and psychological care from their licensed healthcare provider.]

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder, with effects on academic and occupational performance, social relationships, and other aspects of functioning. Neuropsychologists frequently work with both children and adults with ADHD, and understanding the relevant scientific literature is an important part of training and continuing education in our field. In this episode, John and Ryan talk with Robb Mapou, Ph.D., ABPP-CN, about ADHD, including conversations on developmental course, co-occurring symptoms, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment, among other topics. Show notes are available at www.NavNeuro.com/70 _________________ If you’d like to support the show, here are a few easy ways: 1) Get APA-approved CE credit for listening to episodes: www.NavNeuro.com/INS  2) Tell your friends and colleagues about it 3) Subscribe (free) and leave an Apple Podcasts rating/review: www.NavNeuro.com/itunes 4) Contribute to the discussion in the comments section of the website (click the episode link listed above) or on Twitter (@NavNeuro)   Thanks for listening, and join us next time as we continue to navigate the brain and behavior! [Note: This podcast and all linked content is intended for general educational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of psychology or any other professional healthcare advice and services. No professional relationship is formed between hosts and listeners. All content is to be used at listeners’ own risk. Users should always seek appropriate medical and psychological care from their licensed healthcare provider.]

Becoming a neuropsychologist is a long, challenging journey that can also be incredibly rewarding. In this episode, John and Ryan are interviewed by Dr. Jeremy Sharp of The Testing Psychologist about their new book, Becoming a Neuropsychologist: Advice and Guidance for Students and Trainees. John and Ryan tell Jeremy about the purpose and objectives of the book, they share aspects of their own professional journeys, and they provide tips for listeners about how to build a career in neuropsychology. This episode is especially relevant to anyone who is curious about the field of neuropsychology, so please share it with friends, family, and students!  Show notes are available at www.NavNeuro.com/69 _________________ If you’d like to support the show, here are a few easy ways: 1) Get APA-approved CE credit for listening to episodes: www.NavNeuro.com/INS  2) Tell your friends and colleagues about it 3) Subscribe (free) and leave an Apple Podcasts rating/review: www.NavNeuro.com/itunes 4) Contribute to the discussion in the comments section of the website (click the episode link listed above) or on Twitter (@NavNeuro)   Thanks for listening, and join us next time as we continue to navigate the brain and behavior! [Note: This podcast and all linked content is intended for general educational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of psychology or any other professional healthcare advice and services. No professional relationship is formed between hosts and listeners. All content is to be used at listeners’ own risk. Users should always seek appropriate medical and psychological care from their licensed healthcare provider.]

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a disorder of breathing during sleep.  It can lead to both sleep fragmentation and hypoxia, it has a negative impact on cardiovascular functioning, and it is associated with various neurobiological, cognitive, and emotional sequelae.  OSA is underdiagnosed in the general population, and even following successful diagnosis the most popular treatment (positive airway pressure [PAP] devices) is not always well tolerated, leading to low treatment adherence.  Given that OSA impacts the brain and behavior, that it is underdiagnosed, and that successful intervention requires a significant behavior change (e.g., PAP adherence), neuropsychologists have a significant role to play in this public health issue.  In the current episode, John and Ryan speak with Dr. Mark Aloia about various aspects of OSA, including an in-depth discussion of cognitive/emotional effects of the condition, as well as motivational interviewing techniques to improve PAP adherence. Note: Dr. Aloia is involved in industry research with Philips, Inc.  INS and NavNeuro do not have a financial relationship with Philips and do not endorse their products/services. Show notes are available at www.NavNeuro.com/68 _________________ If you’d like to support the show, here are a few easy ways: 1) Get APA-approved CE credits for listening to select episodes: www.NavNeuro.com/INS  2) Tell your friends and colleagues about it 3) Subscribe (free) and leave an Apple Podcasts rating/review: www.NavNeuro.com/itunes 4) Check out our book Becoming a Neuropsychologist, and leave it an Amazon rating   Thanks for listening, and join us next time as we continue to navigate the brain and behavior! [Note: This podcast and all linked content is intended for general educational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of psychology or any other professional healthcare advice and services. No professional relationship is formed between hosts and listeners. All content is to be used at listeners’ own risk. Users should always seek appropriate medical and psychological care from their licensed healthcare provider.]

When multiple sclerosis (MS) is diagnosed prior to age 18, it is considered rare and referred to as pediatric MS.  Although they share a name, pediatric MS differs somewhat from MS in pattern and severity of its symptoms, as well as its cognitive sequelae.  To further clarify the neurological, cognitive, and behavioral profile of pediatric MS, John and Ryan spoke with Lana Harder, Ph.D., ABPP-CN, who is a founding member and current Co-Director of the Children’s Medical Center Pediatric Demyelinating Disease Clinic. Show notes are available at www.NavNeuro.com/67 _________________ If you’d like to support the show, here are a few easy ways: 1) Get APA-approved CE credits for listening to select episodes: www.NavNeuro.com/INS  2) Tell your friends and colleagues about it 3) Subscribe (free) and leave an Apple Podcasts rating/review: www.NavNeuro.com/itunes 4) Check out our book Becoming a Neuropsychologist, and leave it an Amazon rating   Thanks for listening, and join us next time as we continue to navigate the brain and behavior! [Note: This podcast and all linked content is intended for general educational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of psychology or any other professional healthcare advice and services. No professional relationship is formed between hosts and listeners. All content is to be used at listeners’ own risk. Users should always seek appropriate medical and psychological care from their licensed healthcare provider.]

The Alzheimer’s Association reports that 50% of older adults above age 80 have Alzheimer’s disease.  Within the 50% of older adults who do not meet criteria for Alzheimer’s disease, most experience typical age-related changes in memory.  However, there is a small group of older adults who Dr. Emily Rogalski, a clinical and cognitive neuroscientist at Northwestern University, calls “SuperAgers.”  Dr. Rogalski studies “SuperAging,” which describes older adults who are seemingly resistant to the deleterious changes in memory associated with typical or atypical aging.  Today, John and Ryan talk with Dr. Rogalski about the creation and development of the concept of SuperAging, as well as what she thinks confers resilience to age-related cognitive change. Show notes are available at www.NavNeuro.com/66 _________________ If you’d like to support the show, here are a few easy ways: 1) Get APA-approved CE credits for listening to select episodes: www.NavNeuro.com/INS  2) Tell your friends and colleagues about it 3) Subscribe (free) and leave an Apple Podcasts rating/review: www.NavNeuro.com/itunes 4) Check out our book Becoming a Neuropsychologist, and leave it an Amazon rating   Thanks for listening, and join us next time as we continue to navigate the brain and behavior! [Note: This podcast and all linked content is intended for general educational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of psychology or any other professional healthcare advice and services. No professional relationship is formed between hosts and listeners. All content is to be used at listeners’ own risk. Users should always seek appropriate medical and psychological care from their licensed healthcare provider.]

As the COVID-19 pandemic endures, many neuropsychologists continue to conduct neuropsychological assessments via telehealth platforms.  Increased knowledge about telehealth practices garnered from clinical experience and an influx of publications about teleneuropsychology has allowed for further improved telehealth assessment practices.  We previously spoke with Dr. Munro Cullum about teleneuropsychology in adult populations and the new challenges neuropsychologists faced at the outset of the pandemic.  In order to address the unique challenges faced by pediatric neuropsychologists conducting neuropsychology assessments remotely, we spoke with Lana Harder, Ph.D., ABPP-CN, about her experience and recommendations for pediatric neuropsychologists. Show notes are available at www.NavNeuro.com/65 _________________ If you’d like to support the show, here are a few easy ways: 1) Get APA-approved CE credits for listening to select episodes: www.NavNeuro.com/INS  2) Tell your friends and colleagues about it 3) Subscribe (free) and leave an Apple Podcasts rating/review: www.NavNeuro.com/itunes 4) Check out our book Becoming a Neuropsychologist, and leave it an Amazon rating   Thanks for listening, and join us next time as we continue to navigate the brain and behavior! [Note: This podcast and all linked content is intended for general educational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of psychology or any other professional healthcare advice and services. No professional relationship is formed between hosts and listeners. All content is to be used at listeners’ own risk. Users should always seek appropriate medical and psychological care from their licensed healthcare provider.]

Approximately one in every 2,800 babies are born with spina bifida each year.  Spina bifida is related to multiple physical and neurological symptoms including hydrocephalus, which differs from its presentation in older adults.  Today, John and Ryan talk with Christine Koterba, Ph.D., ABPP-CN, about spina bifida, hydrocephalus, and how neuropsychologists can contribute to the care of children with these disorders. Show notes are available at www.NavNeuro.com/64 _________________ If you’d like to support the show, here are a few easy ways: 1) Get APA-approved CE credits for listening to select episodes: www.NavNeuro.com/INS  2) Tell your friends and colleagues about it 3) Subscribe (free) and leave an Apple Podcasts rating/review: www.NavNeuro.com/itunes 4) Check out our book Becoming a Neuropsychologist, and leave it an Amazon rating   Thanks for listening, and join us next time as we continue to navigate the brain and behavior! [Note: This podcast and all linked content is intended for general educational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of psychology or any other professional healthcare advice and services. No professional relationship is formed between hosts and listeners. All content is to be used at listeners’ own risk. Users should always seek appropriate medical and psychological care from their licensed healthcare provider.]

Emerging research suggests that a sizeable portion of individuals hospitalized due to COVID-19 develop cognitive and psychological sequelae.  In our conversation with Dr. Chaya Fridman, a board-certified neuropsychologist at Cornell, we discuss the ways that SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) may lead to neurocognitive impairment, including both direct effects of the virus and secondary factors (e.g., respiratory distress and treatments used in the Intensive Care Unit).  We review how the virus gains access to the central nervous system and the potential underlying mechanisms by which it causes an increased risk of stroke and other neurological issues.  We also examine the long-term effects of prior coronaviruses (SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV) to attempt to forecast the long-term effects of COVID-19, with a focus on how neuropsychological practice (both inpatient and outpatient) might be affected. Show notes are available at www.NavNeuro.com/63 _________________ If you’d like to support the show, here are a few easy ways: 1) Get APA-approved CE credits for listening to select episodes: www.NavNeuro.com/INS  2) Tell your friends and colleagues about it 3) Subscribe (free) and leave an Apple Podcasts rating/review: www.NavNeuro.com/itunes 4) Check out our book Becoming a Neuropsychologist, and leave it an Amazon rating   Thanks for listening, and join us next time as we continue to navigate the brain and behavior! [Note: This podcast and all linked content is intended for general educational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of psychology or any other professional healthcare advice and services. No professional relationship is formed between hosts and listeners. All content is to be used at listeners’ own risk. Users should always seek appropriate medical and psychological care from their licensed healthcare provider.]