Navigating Neuropsychology

By John Bellone & Ryan Van Patten - NavNeuro

Science & Medicine Social Sciences

What's Navigating Neuropsychology about?

Join John and Ryan as they explore the field of neuropsychology through the presentation of cutting edge scientific findings, discussion of important topic areas, and interviews with experts in a variety of relevant fields. The three main objectives of the podcast are to
1) Provide interesting, relevant, and easily-accessible information for students and professionals in neuropsychology, as well as anyone who is interested in brain-behavior relationships.
2) Begin working towards unification on important areas of debate within neuropsychology, while also encouraging the expression of diverse, creative ideas and opinions.
3) Act as an outlet for innovative ideas and breaking news in the field, to allow listeners to stay abreast of current scientific and professional developments in neuropsychology.

Check out www.NavNeuro.com for more information about the show.

Download our free app to listen on your phone

LAST EPISODE

132| Reliable Change – With...

12.01.2023

In this episode, we discuss reliable change with Dr. Kevin Duff. Specific topics covered include the purpose of serial assessment, classical test theory, test retest reliability, an introduction to practice effects, factors that increase or decrease practice effects, the reliable ...

Navigating Neuropsychology episodes:

12.01.2023 132\| Reliable Change – With Dr. Kevin Duff In this episode, we discuss reliable change with Dr. Kevin Duff. Specific topics covered include the purpose of serial assessment, classical test theory, test retest reliability, an introduction to practice effects, factors that increase or decrease practice effects, the reliable ...
11.15.2023 131\| Consciousness in Epilepsy – With Dr. Hal Blumenfeld Today we give you our conversation about consciousness in epilepsy with Dr. Hal Blumenfeld, Professor of Neurology, Neuroscience, and Neurosurgery at Yale University. In addition to being a well-regarded teacher of neuroanatomy, Hal is also a researcher, with his primary ...
11.01.2023 130\| Fundamentals of Neuroanatomy – With Dr. Hal Blumenfeld In this episode, we discuss big picture conceptual issues related to functional neuroanatomy, with Dr. Hal Blumenfeld. Specific topics covered include the purpose of the neurological exam, the brain as a distributed network, Korbinian Brodmann’s areas, the hierarchical and topographic ...
10.15.2023 129\| Clinical Case 17 (Pediatric, Hypoxic-Ischemic Injury) – With Dr. Sakina Butt Today we give you our second pediatric clinical case with Dr. Sakina Butt. This time she talks about hypoxic-ischemic injury and low Apgar scores in infants and young children, or “littles” as she endearingly refers to them. Show notes are ...
10.01.2023 128\| Functional Cognitive Disorder – With Dr. Laura McWhirter This episode is a conversation about functional cognitive disorder (FCD) with Dr. Laura McWhirter. The discussion covers preliminary diagnostic criteria, internal inconsistency, epidemiology, clinical features, differential diagnosis with neurodegenerative diseases, common diagnostic pitfalls, etiology/mechanism, metacognition, subjective cognitive concerns, objective cognitive ...
09.15.2023 127\| Neuropsych Bite: 2022 Concussion in Sport Group (CISG) Meeting – With Dr. Nyaz Didehbani In this conversation with Dr. Nyaz Didehbani, we touch on the most recent Concussion in Sport Group meeting, which took place in Amsterdam in October 2022, with the corresponding consensus statement being recently published in the British Journal of Sports ...
09.01.2023 126\| Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) – With Dr. Nyaz Didehbani In this episode, we discuss the long-term cognitive and mental health effects of sport related concussion, which includes an in depth conversation about chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), with Dr. Nyaz Didehbani. Specific topics covered include methodological limitations of the literature ...
08.15.2023 125\| Fact-Finding Case 3 (Adult) Today we give you our third fact finding case, where John plays the role of examiner and Ryan plays the role of examinee. All of these fact finds that we released were “real,” meaning that Ryan had no inside information ...
08.01.2023 124\| The Neuropsychology of Addiction – With Dr. Antonio Verdejo-Garcia This episode is a conversation with Dr. Antonio Verdejo-Garcia about the neuropsychology of addiction. We cover addiction epidemiology, the syndrome model, neurobiology, transdiagnostic constructs such as compulsivity, behavioral addictions, cognitive profiles linked to substances of abuse, and behavioral, pharmacological, and ...
07.15.2023 123\| Podcasting in Neuropsychology – With Dr. Ingram Wright This is an episode we recorded live at the INS North American meeting in February 2023 in San Diego, California. For this one, Ryan and I are the interviewees rather than the interviewers. We answer questions from Dr. Ingram Wright, ...
07.01.2023 122\| Parkinson’s Disease – With Dr. Sara Schaefer This episode is a wide ranging discussion of Parkinson’s disease, with Sara Schaefer, MD, MHS. The conversation begins with basic facts, features, and concepts, and then moves into more complex topics, while covering many critical factors for neuropsychologists to consider. ...
06.15.2023 121\| Neuropsych Bite: The Brain in Space – With Dr. Vonetta Dotson Today we give you a conversation with Dr. Vonetta Dotson about her work as a researcher for NASA and the effects of microgravity, radiation, etc. on astronauts. Previous episodes with Vonetta included a discussion of brain health (episode 116) and ...
06.01.2023 120\| Apathy and Agitation in Neurodegenerative Diseases – With Dr. Krista Lanctôt This episode is a conversation with Dr. Krista Lanctôt about neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) in older adults with neurodegenerative diseases, with a focus on apathy and agitation. The discussion covers definitions, diagnostic criteria, epidemiology, methods of assessment, relation to degenerative neuropathology, ...
05.15.2023 119\| Clinical Case 16 (Pediatric, Extremely Low Birth Weight) – With Dr. Sakina Butt Today we give you a pediatric clinical case centered around a four year old girl. It is presented by Dr. Sakina Butt, a neuropsychologist and training director at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. She is board certified in clinical neuropsychology ...
05.01.2023 118\| Ecological Validity and Digital Technology – With Dr. Maureen Schmitter-Edgecombe This episode is a conversation with Dr. Maureen Schmitter-Edgecombe about ecological validity, with a focus on methods for capitalizing on digital technologies to maximize ecological validity in neuropsychology. We cover definitions, methods for assessing ecological validity, naturalistic assessment, smart homes, ...
04.15.2023 117\| Neuropsych Bite: CerebroFit – With Dr. Vonetta Dotson This is a conversation with Dr. Vonetta Dotson on her company, CerebroFit Integrated Brain Health, where we focus on business aspects of neuropsychology. Show notes are available at www.NavNeuro.com/117 _________________ If you’d like to support the show, here are a ...
04.01.2023 116\| Brain Health in Adults – With Dr. Vonetta Dotson This episode is a broad overview of brain health in adults. We discuss methods for encouraging positive brain health behavior change in our patients, how to help patients who have little to no motivation for change (“precontemplation” stage), the importance ...
03.15.2023 115\| Ethics Vignette 1 Today we give you an ethics vignette where John plays the role of examiner and Ryan plays the role of examinee. Similar to the fact-finding episodes, this is a recording of their real practice session for Ryan’s ABPP Oral Exam, ...
03.01.2023 114\| Loneliness – With Dr. Ellen Lee In this episode, we discuss the cognitive and psychological effects of loneliness with Ellen Lee, MD. We cover definitions, epidemiology, various assessment methods (including digital technology), relationships with age, sex/gender, race/ethnicity, and culture, overall physical, cognitive, and mental health effects, ...
02.15.2023 113\| Fact-Finding Case 2 (Adult) Today we bring you our second clinical fact-find episode, where John plays the role of examiner and Ryan plays the role of examinee. We simulate the exam process and then debrief about it and provide tips afterward. If you’d like ...
02.01.2023 112\| Functional (Nonepileptic) Seizures – With Dr. W. Curt LaFrance Jr. We speak with Dr. W. Curt LaFrance Jr. about functional (nonepileptic) seizures. We cover epidemiology, overlap and differences with regard to epilepsy, negative health outcomes, co-occurring psychological and neurological factors, an etiological framework, cognitive profiles, and treatment. We also discuss ...
01.15.2023 111\| Clinical Case 15 (Adult; Posterior Cortical Atrophy) – With Dr. Wendy Kelso Today we speak with Dr. Wendy Kelso about a clinical case – this is a woman with posterior cortical atrophy, or PCA. Wendy is a senior clinical neuropsychologist and coordinator of neuropsychology services at the Royal Melbourne Hospital in Victoria, ...
01.01.2023 110\| Aging, Cerebrovascular Risk, and Digital Cognitive Biomarkers – With Dr. Rhoda Au In this episode, we discuss aging and brain health with Dr. Rhoda Au. Specifically, we cover the Framingham Heart Study and cardiovascular risk factors, the Boston Process Approach, Alzheimer’s disease, and digital biomarkers. Show notes are available at www.NavNeuro.com/110 _________________ ...
12.15.2022 109\| Fact-Finding Case 1 (Adult) Today we bring you our first clinical fact-find episode, where John plays the role of examiner and Ryan plays the role of examinee. We simulate the exam process and then debrief about it and provide tips afterward. If you’d like ...
12.01.2022 108\| Functional Neurological Disorders – With Dr. Mark Hallett In this episode, we speak with Dr. Mark Hallett about functional neurological disorders (FNDs). We cover the history, epidemiology, symptomatology, and pathophysiology of FNDs. We touch on the issue of “lumping versus splitting,” controversies in the literature, the need for ...
11.15.2022 107\| Clinical Case 14 (Adult; Huntington’s Disease) – With Dr. Wendy Kelso Today’s episode is a clinical case with Dr. Wendy Kelso about a man with Huntington’s disease (HD). In addition to the case presentation, we discuss HD in general, including the pathophysiology, implications of genetic testing, symptomatology, course of the disease, ...
11.01.2022 106\| Sport Related Concussion – With Dr. Michael McCrea We speak with Dr. Michael McCrea about sport related concussion. We focus on definition, pathophysiology, recognition/diagnosis, biomarkers, (re)evaluation, recovery, rehabilitation, and return to sport following sport concussion. We also touch upon long-term effects of repeated sport concussion on long-term cognition ...
10.15.2022 105\| Clinical Case 13 (Young Adult; Type 1 Diabetes, Mental Health, and ADHD) – With Dr. Caroline Fisher Today’s episode is a clinical case with Dr. Caroline Fisher about a woman in her early 20s with type 1 diabetes, mental health issues, and ADHD. Show notes are available at www.NavNeuro.com/105 _________________ If you’d like to support the show, ...
10.01.2022 104\| Deaf and Hard of Hearing Neuropsychological Evaluations in Children – With Dr. Jennifer Reesman In this episode, we talk with Dr. Jennifer Reesman about neuropsychological evaluations of children from the D/deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) community. We discuss DHH culture, language deprivation syndrome, medical etiologies of hearing loss, sign language and cued speech, ...
09.15.2022 103\| Neuropsych Bite: Clinical Case 12 (Adult, TBI) – With Dr. Ronak Patel Today’s episode is a clinical case with Dr. Ronak Patel about a middle aged man who suffered a traumatic brain injury. We spend most of the time talking about Dr. Patel's cognitive intervention program called Training of Executive Attention and ...
09.01.2022 102\| Working Memory – With Dr. Alan Baddeley Today we talk to Dr. Alan Baddeley about working memory. We cover the distinction between short term memory and working memory, the four components of his multicomponent model, applications to clinical assessment, training working memory, and methods for building scientific ...
08.15.2022 101\| Neuropsych Bite: Clinical Case 11 (Adult, Left MCA Stroke) – With Dr. Ronak Patel Today’s episode is a clinical case with Dr. Ronak Patel about a 43-year-old man with a left middle cerebral artery stroke. Show notes are available at www.NavNeuro.com/101 _________________ If you’d like to support the show, here are a few easy ...
08.01.2022 100\| Digital Methods of Education and Training in Neuropsychology We are doing something a little different for this episode since this is a major milestone for NavNeuro (Episode 100!). Specifically, we are going to deliver a presentation on how digital forms of education (podcasts, webinars, and social media platforms) ...
07.15.2022 99\| Neuropsych Bite: Clinical Case 10 (Adult, Stroke and Heart Transplant) – With Dr. Marc Norman Today’s episode is a clinical case with Dr. Marc Norman about a 63-year-old woman with a history of stroke who may or may not be eligible for a heart transplant. Show notes are available at www.NavNeuro.com/99 _________________ If you’d like ...
07.01.2022 98\| An Introduction to The Minnesota Update Conference – With Dr. Brad Roper This episode is a conversation with Dr. Brad Roper about the Minnesota Update Conference (MNC) in neuropsychology. We discuss the history of the Houston Conference Guidelines, including how they have benefited neuropsychology and why they need to be updated, the ...
06.15.2022 97\| Medications for Memory Loss in Older Adults – With Dr. Matthew Growdon In this episode, we speak with Dr. Matthew Growdon about medications for memory loss in older adults. We cover cholinesterase inhibitors for memory loss in older adults, their efficacy in Alzheimer’s dementia as well as other dementia etiologies, their efficacy ...
06.01.2022 96\| Polypharmacy in Older Adults – With Dr. Mike Steinman and Dr. Matthew Growdon Today we discuss polypharmacy and deprescribing with two geriatricians. We cover definitions of polypharmacy, inappropriate polypharmacy, deprescribing as an intervention, specific drug classes with potential for cognitive side effects in older adults, and a neuropsychologist’s role in clinical care related ...
05.15.2022 95\| Neuropsych Bite: Clinical Case 9 (Adult, Frontal Tumor) – With Dr. Marc Norman In Clinical Case 9, Dr. Marc Norman presents a neuropsychological evaluation of a 48-year-old woman with a frontal lobe tumor. Show notes are available at www.NavNeuro.com/95 _________________ If you’d like to support the show, here are a few easy ways: ...
05.01.2022 94\| Neuropsychological Rehabilitation After Acquired Brain Injury – With Dr. Dana Wong This episode is a conversation about neuropsychological interventions for adult patients with acquired brain injuries such as TBI, stroke, or hypoxia. We define and differentiate different terms for neuropsychological interventions, we list and describe specific cognitive interventions, we discuss the ...
04.15.2022 93\| Neuropsych Bite: Clinical Case 8 (Pediatric, ADHD and Reading Difficulties) – With Dr. Kira Armstrong In Clinical Case 8, Dr. Kira Armstrong presents a neuropsychological evaluation of an 11-year-old girl with difficulties in attention and reading. Show notes are available at www.NavNeuro.com/93 _________________ If you’d like to support the show, here are a few easy ...
04.01.2022 92\| Culturally Informed Neuropsychological Evaluations – With Dr. Daryl Fujii This conversation focuses on culturally informed neuropsychological evaluations. We discuss big picture topics such as becoming more culturally sensitive, cultural differences across the world, Dr. Fujii’s ECLECTIC framework, and macrosocietal structures. We also talk about how to translate cultural knowledge ...
03.15.2022 91\| Neuropsych Bite: Clinical Case 7 (Pediatric, Autism) – With Dr. Kira Armstrong In Clinical Case 7, Dr. Kira Armstrong presents a neuropsychological evaluation of a 13-year-old girl with a variety of mental health symptoms. The conversation focuses heavily on autism spectrum disorder. Show notes are available at www.NavNeuro.com/91 _________________ If you’d like ...
03.01.2022 90\| Autism: The Big Picture – With Sir Simon Baron-Cohen This is a big picture conversation about autism with Sir Simon Baren-Cohen. We cover the concepts of neurodiversity, systemizing and empathy (including their relationships to autism), sex and gender issues, cognitive strengths and weaknesses in autism, and clinical applications. Show ...
02.15.2022 89\| Neuropsych Bite: Driving Simulators – With Dr. Tom Marcotte We talk with Dr. Tom Marcotte about the use of driving simulators for use in research and clinical practice in neuropsychology. Dr. Marcotte has decades of experience using various simulators in different populations. Show notes are available at www.NavNeuro.com/89 _________________ ...
02.01.2022 88\| Cannabis and Driving – With Dr. Tom Marcotte We talk about acute effects of cannabis use (THC) on driving performance with Tom Marcotte, a clinical scientist with decades of experience in this area. We cover the acute cognitive effects of cannabis, the time course of the effects of ...
01.15.2022 87\| Neuropsych Bite: Clinical Case 6 (Pediatric, TBI) – With Dr. Beth Slomine In Clinical Case 6, Dr. Beth Slomine presents a neuropsychological evaluation of a 17-year-old boy with a history of traumatic brain injury. Show notes are available at www.NavNeuro.com/87 _________________ If you’d like to support the show, here are a few ...
01.01.2022 86\| Intellectual Disability – With Dr. Jennifer Huffman We discuss intellectual disability (ID) with Jennifer Huffman, Ph.D., ABPP-CN, a board certified pediatric neuropsychologist. We discuss diagnosis of ID, including strengths and weaknesses of different test batteries, as well as the importance of adaptive functioning. We also cover etiology ...
12.15.2021 85\| Neuropsych Bite: Clinical Case 5 (Pediatric, Cardiac Arrest) – With Dr. Beth Slomine In Clinical Case 5, Dr. Beth Slomine presents a neuropsychological evaluation of a 7-year-old girl who experienced a hypoxic ischemic injury during cardiac arrest while hospitalized with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome. Show notes are available at www.NavNeuro.com/85 _________________ If you’d ...
12.01.2021 84\| Behavioral Variant Frontotemporal Dementia – With Dr. Bruce Miller We discuss behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) with Bruce Miller, MD, a behavioral neurologist at UCSF. We first talk about overlap and differences between the various FTD spectrum conditions and related diseases. Next, we cover the neuropathology, genetics, neuroimaging, phenocopy ...
11.15.2021 83\| Neuropsych Bite: Clinical Case 4 (Adult, Hoarding Disorder and Other Neuromedical Conditions) – Dr. Ryan Van Patten In Clinical Case 4, Ryan presents a neuropsychological evaluation of a woman in her 70s with a history of hoarding disorder, hypothyroidism, and obstructive sleep apnea, who was referred by a social worker. Show notes are available at www.NavNeuro.com/83 _________________ ...

Older episodes