Definition of Neuropsychology,

(nʊr'ō-sī-kŏl'ə-jē, nyʊr'-)
n.
The branch of psychology that deals with the relationship between the nervous system, especially the brain, and cerebral or mental functions such as language, memory, and perception.

neuropsychological neu'ro·psy'cho·log'i·cal (-sī'kə-lŏj'ĭ-kəl) adj.
neuropsychologist neu'ro·psy·chol'o·gist n.

neuropsychology (nu-ro'si'kol-o-je) A branch of psychology specializing in the evaluation (by tests) of brain/behavior relationships, and planning of training programs to help the survivor of brain injury return to normal functioning and recommending alternative cognitive and behavioral strategies to minimize the effects of brain injury. Often works closely with schools and employers as well as with family members of the injured person.

"Clinical neuropsychology is a specialty profession that focuses on brain functioning. A clinical neuropsychologist is a licensed psychologist with expertise in how behavior and skills are related to brain structures and systems. In clinical neuropsychology, brain function is evaluated by objectively testing memory and thinking skills.

A very detailed assessment of abilities is done, and the pattern of strengths and weaknesses is used in important health areas, such as diagnosis and treatment planning. The clinical neuropsychologist conducts the evaluation and makes recommendations. He or she may also provide treatment, such as cognitive rehabilitation, behavior management, or psychotherapy

With a goal of determining the nature and extent of damage, and the impact upon intellectual and personality functions, the neuropsychologist works to pinpoint the cognitive alterations and lead the individual and his/her family to a better of understanding of how every day performance has changed.

Many times these cognitive alterations have no physical or physiological explanations that neurologists or psychiatrists can trace during their own examinations. Based on behavioral observation of the patient, the neuropsychologist's evaluation and guidance assists in providing more effective rehabilitation and, thus, a more complete and successful recovery

Neuropsychology studies the structure and function of the brain related to specific psychological processes and behaviors. The term neuropsychology has been applied to lesion studies in humans and animals.

It has also been applied to efforts to record electrical activity from individual cells (or groups of cells) in higher primates (including some studies of human patients). It is scientific in its approach and shares an information processing view of the mind with cognitive psychology and cognitive science.

In practice neuropsychologists tend to work in clinical settings (involved in assessing or treating patients with neuropsychological problems – see clinical neuropsychology), forensic settings or industry (often as consultants where neuropsychological knowledge is applied to product design or in the management of pharmaceutical clinical-trials research for drugs that might have a potential impact on CNS functioning).

Clinical neuropsychology is a subdiscipline of psychology that specialises in the clinical assessment and treatment of patients with brain injury or neurocognitive deficits.

Cognitive neuropsychology: Cognitive neuropsychology is a branch of neuropsychology that aims to understand how the structure and function of the brain relates to specific psychological processes. It places a particular emphasis on studying the cognitive effects of brain injury or neurological illness with a view to inferring models of normal cognitive functioning.

Comparative neuropsychology: Comparative Neuropsychology refers to an approach used for understanding human brain functions. It involves the direct evaluation of clinical neurological populations by employing experimental methods originally developed for use with nonhuman animals.