fMRI is a clear example of this as clinicians heavily relied on the material-specific model prior to magnetic resonance imaging, and so used that model to determine deficits that arose due to seizures in patients with epilepsy (Baxendale & Thompson, 2010). In the modern day, new imaging techniques, such as fMRI, have negated the need and use of some traditional tests, as they are not relied upon as much as they were before neuroimaging developments. fMRI has also increased the confidence in its clinical use as it is more effective in lateralising language than traditional methods, and hence shows how invaluable of a tool it is for neuropsychologists (Duncan, …show more content…
Traditional neuropsychological tests such as the score on a naming task still provide the framework for accurate data to be presented across all imaging techniques (Baxendale & Thompson, 2010). These tests form the basis for determining and planning the surgery that the patient may need to undertake in order to treat their brain injury. With the traditional scored tests that measure the patient’s language skills, neuropsychologists can ensure that the patient is suitable and will be capable of fulfilling the test demands in order to ensure a valid and reliable imaging session. Therefore, the baseline neuropsychological assessment through these traditional tests are vital in guiding the effectiveness that the imaging study will have in furthering the patient’s neuropsychological evaluation. Overall, neuropsychologists have adapted to these technological advancements by focussing more on the preparation stage of the scanning process of patients through the traditional neuropsychological tests regarding language and comprehension skills to ensure they are able to meet the demands of that come with neuroimaging