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CNADC > NBMH Clinical Services > Clinician Definitions
   
 

Neurobehavioral Clinician Definitions

Each neurobehavioral clinician plays a different but cooperative role in a patient's diagnostic workup and care:

Behavioral Neurologist

Professional (MD) trained in diseases of the brain, especially those that affect behavior, emotions, memory and reasoning. Purpose of examination is to provide a diagnosis of the cause of the patient's symptoms and to recommend additional tests or appropriate treatments. Initial appointment typically lasts 90 minutes. The behavioral neurologist may recommend brain imaging studies (magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, computed axial tomography (CT) scan, positron emission tomography (PET) scan, single photon emission computed tomorgaphy (SPECT) scan) and/or a series of blood tests for the purpose of arriving at a more definitive diagnosis. A report is sent to the referring physician to communicate findings and recommendations.
On Staff:
M.-Marsel Mesulam, MD

Darren Gitelman, MD
Jaime Grutzendler, MD
Jay Gottfried, MD, PhD

Neuropsychiatrist

Professional (MD) trained in the diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric disorders that are the result of brain damage or disease. Purpose of the examination is to assist in diagnosis and to recommend appropriate medication and behavioral interventions. Initial appointment typically lasts 60 minutes. The neuropsychiatris may order tests similar to those listed above for the behavioral neurologist if the patient has not had these studies. A report is sent to the referring physician to communicate findings and recommendations.
On Staff:
Deborah Reed, MD

Neuropsychologist

Professional (PhD) trained in the specialized assessment of memory, reasoning, perception and attention for the purpose of identifying patterns that signify brain disorders. The neuropsychologist interviews the patient and a family member or other individual who can provide information about the observed symptoms, administers a series of paper-and-pencil and computerized tests of mental abilities, and provides education to the patient and family about the symptoms and how to manage them. Initial appointment typically lasts 3-5 hours. A report is sent to the referring physician to communicate findings and recommendations.
On Staff:
Sandra Weintraub, PhD
Nancy Johnson, PhD
Suzanne Musil, PhD

Social Worker

Professional (MS, MSW) trained in psychosocial assessment of individuals with neurobehavioral disorders for the purpose of assessing needs for emotional support and directing patients and families to appropriate community resources for ongoing care. Individual and family counseling are also provided.
On Staff:
Darby Morhardt, MSW, LCSW