Clinical neuropsychology is a specialty field within clinical psychology, dedicated to understanding the relationships between brain and behavior, particularly as these relationships can be applied to the diagnosis of brain disorder, assessment of cognitive and behavioral functioning, and the design of effective treatment. Unlike the use of neuroimaging techniques such as MRI, CT scans and EEG where the focus is on nervous system structures, neuropsychology seeks to understand how the various components of the brain are able to do their jobs. Clinical neuropsychology makes use of various assessment methods to ascertain function and dysfunction and applies this knowledge to evaluate, treat and rehabilitate individuals with suspected or demonstrated neurological or psychological problems.

Neuropsychological evaluations are requested specifically to help understand how the different areas and systems of the brain are working.  Testing is usually recommended when there are symptoms or complaints involving memory or thinking.  This may be signaled by a change in concentration, organization, reasoning, memory, language, perception, coordination or personality.  The change may be due to any of a number of medical, neurological, psychological or genetic causes.