Clinical presentation of neuropsychiatric disorders

Citation

O'Carroll R (2012) Clinical presentation of neuropsychiatric disorders. In: Gurd J, Kischka U & Marshall J (eds.) The Handbook of Clinical Neuropsychology. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 663-692. http://ukcatalogue.oup.com/product/9780199645817.do; https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof%3Aoso/9780199234110.003.032

Abstract
Clinical neuropsychology plays a crucial role in the assessment of cognitive impairment in clinical practice and in research in psychiatry. Recent advances in knowledge have allowed for more fine-grained cognitive analysis of specific impairments. This in turn can lead to a greater understanding of the neural basis of abnormal behaviour. The development of neuropsychological measures allows for the valid and reliable assessment of treatment efficacy. This is particularly important as ‘negative features' (including cognitive impairment) have become increasingly recognized as key targets for pharmacological treatment in psychiatry. This chapter reviews the clinical presentation and common neuropsychological features of some of the major psychiatric disorders. These include anorexia nervosa, Asperger's syndrome, autism, bulimia nervosa, Capgras syndrome, conversion disorder (hysteria), Cotard syndrome, and De Clerambault's syndrome.

Keywords
neuropsychological assessment; psychiatric disorders; anorexia nervosa; Asperger's syndrome; autism; bulimia nervosa; Capgras syndrome; conversion disorder; Cotard syndrome; De Clerambault's syndrome