Neuropsychological assessment in preoperative and postoperative evaluation.

Neuropsychological assessment in the surgical management of the epilepsies includes comprehensive neuropsychological examination for baseline, diagnostic, and follow up purposes, and specialized diagnostic procedures. The developmental competence of the individual provides an organizing principle for psychological work and is reflected in the neurosurgical strategy. Adaptive functioning and psychosocial adjustment are as important in determining outcome as performance on neuropsychological tasks. The techniques and tools of neuropsychological assessment are discussed in this article; presurgical functioning and post-surgical status and management affect outcome.