Neuropsychology of aging. Neurodegenerative diseases: dementias. Neuropsychological disorders: diagnosis, diagnostic tests. Neuropsychological assessment. Neuropsychological intervention.
While aging leads to a decrease of the cognitive potential of the person and an increase in the slope of specific biological processes; some psychological, biological and social factors may operate preventively and palliative on such impairment facilitating the deployment of still active potentials (Waichman, 2002). Thus, the aging process is a developmental stage in which a multiplicity of coexisting factors determining its phenomenology, structure and evolution. According to this statement, we have demonstrated a wide variety of interpersonal manifestations of this developmental stage.
Until recently the changes in cognitive function in old age were associated with an irreversible decline, which today has discarded thanks to advances in the knowledge of them and the existence of different techniques and intervention programs that make possible, at least in some cases, braking and modify these processes (Yanguas, J. Sancho, M. & Leturia, F. 2004).
Consequently, neuropsychology, and clinical specialty has had a great development in recent decades, holding fast growing as a recognized discipline in the field of health care, helping to achieve many purposes, among which is considered to define a diagnosis, treatment planning cognitive rehabilitation, assessing the effects of treatment and provide information and advice for the care and monitoring of patients.
Thus, knowing the basics of neuroenvejecimiento, ongoing training in the use of measuring instruments and diagnostic protocols, the possible preventive and therapeutic strategies to be used; will enable the professional to respond to the growing social needs in the current population, consistent with the promotion of health and well-being of our seniors.