This series of tests is part of the standard diagnostic work-up for many neurological conditions. Other tests your doctor orders, like CT or MRI, allow your doctor to view the structure of your brain. Neuropsychological evaluation allows us to gather information about the performance of your brain. A series of questions, tasks, and “brain teasers” will be used to identify strengths and weaknesses in your thinking and memory. Results from the tests are used by your doctor to help diagnose problems, to plan your medical treatment, and to provide a baseline to identify any future changes in your situation.
The doctor will conduct a careful interview with the patient and with family members who are an important source of information. You will be asked to answer questions, write a bit, perform calculations, solve problems, remember words and figures, copy designs, fill out questionnaires, and carry out other similar tasks.
Because neuropsychological testing thoroughly studies many aspects of brain functioning, the evaluation can take several hours. Testing is typically scheduled for a whole morning or afternoon. On rare occasions, evaluations can take a whole day or more.
Dress comfortably and bring reading glasses and hearing aids if you use them. As the office can sometimes get chilly, a sweater might be a good idea.
A detailed report will be sent to the doctor who referred you for evaluation and to other doctors whom you wish to receive results. After the evaluation results are analyzed, the Memory Disorder Clinic staff will meet with you and your family to discuss the results.
