In neuropsychological assessment, which cognitive function is typically measured?

Cognitive functions in neuropsychological assessment encompass a range of mental processes, and Attention is one of the core areas typically measured. Attention is crucial for cognitive functioning as it involves the capacity to focus on specific stimuli while ignoring distractions, which is essential for effective learning, memory, and processing of information.

In neuropsychological evaluations, various tests and tasks are employed to assess different aspects of attention, such as sustained attention, selective attention, and divided attention. These assessments help clinicians understand how well a patient can concentrate and maintain focus, which can be significantly affected by neurological disorders, enabling the identification of specific cognitive impairments.

While motor skills, emotional stability, and physical coordination can be relevant in a broader neuropsychological context, they are not primarily categorized as cognitive functions. Instead, they may reflect other domains of functioning, such as physical health or emotional wellbeing, and are assessed through different means in a comprehensive evaluation.