VIDEO ONLY: Erin Bigler, Ph.D., Structural and Functional Neuroimaging, 2 CEs

At the time of pediatric neuropsychological assessment, it is often the case that clinical neuroimaging has already been performed; however, neuropsychologists often only rely on the neuroradiological report even though scan images may be available for review and additional qualitative and quantitative image analyses can be performed. This presentation will focus on how to best utilize neuroimaging findings beyond what is in the radiological record and how to integrate neuroimaging information with neuropsychological assessment. Cognitive neuroscience and neuroimaging have developed elegant methods to extract various neural networks derived from the post-processing of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans that have been clinically acquired, provided that volume acquisition protocols have been used. Some of these analyses are fully automated. FDA approved quantitative MRI analyses are now available that provide region of interest (ROI) analyses compared to age-matched, neurotypical controls. If the clinical neuroimaging was not done according to acquisition protocols for automated image analysis, there are still a variety of qualitative rating methods than can be applied. This presentation will provide the framework for pediatric neuropsychologists to work with their neuroimaging/neuroradiology colleagues to improve diagnostics and interpretive statements from neuropsychological test results, in particular using a neural network explanatory approach. Objectives: As a result of attending this workshop, participants will: Master the basics for identifying common brain abnormalities observed in contemporary neuroimaging with relevance for pediatric neuropsychological assessment. Become acquainted with the different applied, quantitative neuroimaging analysis methods that are either open-source or commercially available. Be able to identify basic neural networks and how they may be affected by common neuropathologies as identified by neuroimaging.