Neuropsychology Division

Barrow Neurological Institute of St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona

The Section of Clinical Neuropsychology at the Barrow Neurological Institute was established in 1985 under the direction and leadership of George P. Prigatano, PhD. The section provides clinical services to a wide range of patients with known or suspected neurological conditions.  Patients include individuals with traumatic brain injury, stroke, and other types of cerebrovascular accidents; cerebral and cerebellar aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations; multiple sclerosis; Parkinson's disease; Alzheimer's disease; hydrocephalus; epilepsy; and malignant and nonmalignant brain tumors. 

After brain surgery, patients are frequently assessed to help determine their neuropsychological status and whether they require further rehabilitation. The Section of Clinical Neuropsychology is also actively involved in the assessment of patients with hypothalamic hamartomas. In addition to its clinical mission, the Section's clinical neuropsychologists educate residents in clinical neuropsychology and conduct a wide variety of research studies aimed at improving patient care.

The Section consists of the Department of Clinical Neuropsychology and the Center for Transitional Neurorehabilitation.

Laboratory Focus

The Section of Neuropsychology (including the Department of Clinical Neuropsychology) provides assessment and rehabilitation services for a wide variety of patients with known or suspected brain disorders. The Division’s neuropsychologists are actively involved in evaluating patients pre- and post-surgery and conducting research on the neuropsychological consequences associated with a variety of disorders, including epilepsy, brain tumors, hypothalamic hamartomas, and traumatic brain injury.

The focus of the neuropsychological research laboratory is to expand knowledge as to the cognitive and personality disorders associated with various brain disorders and to apply that information to improving neuropsychological evaluations and rehabilitation.

George P. Prigatano, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator

 > Biographical Sketch

Research Projects

• Major efforts are in studying anosognosia. Dr. Prigatano is editing a book entitled Advances in the Study of Anosognosia to be published by Oxford University Press.
  
• Involved in an ongoing research project on anosognosia in Parkinson’s disease patients.
  
• Recently conducted a 3-year research project on traumatic brain injury in children with six papers being published in peer-reviewed journals.
  
• Active in conducting research on the neuropsychological consequences of hypothalamic hamartoma.
  
• Developed a new behavioral assessment measurement of impaired awareness in children following various brain disorders.

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