On June 26, 27 and 28, 2024, the Neuropsyedu® team, represented by Mario Pimentel and Susan Navarro , had the honor of participating in the III International Congress of Neuropsychology in the beautiful city of San José, Costa Rica.

This III International Congress of Neuropsychology in Costa Rica was organized by the College of Professionals in Psychology of Costa Rica and Neuroconexiones CR . This space not only provided us with cutting-edge scientific updates, but also reaffirmed our vision: neuropsychology must be, above all, human and based on the best available evidence .

🧠 Day 1: From the Molecular Level to Awake Surgery

The day began with an in-depth exploration of the physiological basis of the nervous system, led by Dr. Oscar Brenes , followed by a neuropathological perspective from Dr. Maykel Vargas . This foundation was essential for addressing one of the congress's key topics: Awake Brain Surgery .

  • Innovation in the operating room: The team at San Juan de Dios Hospital , led by Dr. Esteban Sánchez and Specialist Nicole Marín , shared their successful protocol. Neuropsychology here is not optional; it is the surgeon's compass. Through intraoperative mapping, critical functions are preserved while maximizing tumor resection.

  • Selection and Rapport: As detailed in the specialized literature (Acuña-Padilla et al., 2020), patient eligibility depends on a thorough assessment of their emotional stability and decision-making capacity . The rapport between the patient and the neuropsychologist is what allows for the necessary support before, during, and after the operation.

  • Quality of Life: It was emphasized that the treatment of brain gliomas not only seeks survival, but also the preservation of the identity and functionality of the individual, always prioritizing the quality of life of the patient and their family.

🛡️ Day 2: Clinical Formulation and the Future of Rehabilitation

The second day was marked by the presence of world-renowned experts who invited us to rethink our clinical practice.

  • Formulation as the North Star: Dr. Jill Winegardner (Cleveland, USA) reminded us that rehabilitation is not a standard protocol, but a tailor-made approach. Neuropsychological formulation is the process of analysis and synthesis that transforms test data into a meaningful narrative for the patient, allowing for the establishment of SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) goals that truly change lives (Macniven, 2016; Wong et al., 2023).

  • Managing Chronic Conditions: Dr. Lance Trexler (Indiana, USA) presented a revolutionary model for facilitating community resources . Brain injury does not end upon leaving the hospital; it is a chronic condition that requires transdisciplinary teams to support long-term social and occupational reintegration.

  • Transdisciplinary Vision: Experts from the AISSE Foundation (Spain) , including M.Sc. Juan Anaya and M.Sc. Inmaculada Vico , demonstrated how neurophysiotherapy and occupational therapy intertwine with neuropsychology for complete functional recovery.

🚀 Day 3: Memory, Neurodiversity and Older Adults

We conclude with a flourish by addressing the specific needs of diverse populations.

  • Prospective Memory: Dr. Sarah Raskin (Trinity College) detailed strategies for rehabilitating the ability to "remember the future." This is vital for autonomy, from taking medication to attending a medical appointment (Raskin et al., 2013). We even saw how the use of simple technology (SMS) can be a driver of independence (Culley & Evans, 2010).

  • Neurodiversity and ASD: Dr. Leanne Chukoskie and M.Sc. Tatiana Carrillo explored Autism Spectrum Disorder , with special emphasis on the neuropsychological profile of girls and the use of Virtual Reality for social skills training (Artiran et al., 2022).

  • Mental Health in Older Adults: Dr. Carlos Alberto Hurtado (Colombia) presented the ESDEPARK scale to evaluate depression in Parkinson's disease, reminding us that emotional well-being is inseparable from cognitive health in neurodegenerative diseases.

💡 Conclusion: Our Commitment to Panama and the Region

Our participation in this congress has been a revitalizing boost of academic and humanistic energy for the entire team. At Neuropsyedu® , we return with the firm conviction that 21st-century neuropsychology has an ethical duty to transcend the walls of the consulting room and generate a tangible impact on people's daily lives.

Thank you to our colleagues in Costa Rica for such extraordinary hospitality and organization!

📚 References

  • Acuña-Padilla, Y., Salazar-Villanea, M., Vindas-Montoya, R., Gutiérrez-Gutiérrez, D., Montero-Vega, P., & Esquivel-Miranda, M. (2020). Role of Neuropsychology in the evaluation and preparation of the patient candidate for awake craniotomy. Cuadernos de Neuropsicología / Panamerican Journal of Neuropsychology , 14(1), 56-64.

  • Artiran, S., Ravisankar, R., Luo, S., Chukoskie, L., & Cosman, P. (2022). Measuring Social Modulation of Gaze in Autism Spectrum Condition With Virtual Reality Interviews. IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering , 30, 2373-2383.

  • Culley, C., & Evans, J.J. (2010). SMS text messaging as a means of increasing recall of therapy goals in brain injury rehabilitation: A single-blind within-subjects trial. Neuropsychological Rehabilitation , 20(1), 103-119.

  • López Rodríguez, MM, & Cañadas Pérez, F. (2018). Facial recognition of emotions in autism and the expanded autism phenotype. Therapeía , 10, 113-142.

  • Macniven, J.A.B. (Ed.). (2016). Neuropsychological Formulation: A Clinical Casebook . Springer.

  • Nelson, AP, Roper, BL, Slomine, BS, et al. (2015). Official Position of the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology (AACN): Guidelines for Practicum Training in Clinical Neuropsychology. The Clinical Neuropsychologist , 29(7), 879-904.

  • Raskin, S.A., Maye, J., Rogers, A., Correll, D., Zamroziewicz, M., & Kurtz, M. (2013). Prospective Memory in Schizophrenia: Relationship to Medication Management Skills, Neurocognition, and Symptoms in Individuals With Schizophrenia. Neuropsychology .

  • Wilson, B. A. (2008). Neuropsychological Rehabilitation. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology , 4, 141-162.

  • Wong, D., Pike, K., Stolwyk, R., Allott, K., Ponsford, J., McKay, A., Longley, W., Bosboom, P., Hodge, A., Kinsella, G., & Mowszowski, L. (2023). Delivery of Neuropsychological Interventions for Adult and Older Adult Clinical Populations: An Australian Expert Working Group Clinical Guidance Paper. Neuropsychology Review .