Archive for the ‘For Patients’ Category
Memory Problems: Normal Aging, or Something Else?
We can all think of times when we could just not remember something that seemed so simple. It is well known that some age-related memory decline is normal. In fact, there are some areas of brain functioning that can begin to decline as early as age 25. Sometimes, a memory failure can be scary. Is it a sign of early Alzheimer’s disease or some other problem, or is it just a “senior moment?” Is an evaluation needed?
Neuropsychology and Early Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease and other Neurodegenerative Disorders
New diagnostic techniques have revealed pathological changes in the brain that occur early in the process of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. Researchers suggest that these pathological changes can precede noticeable clinical symptoms (memory loss, personality changes) by as many as ten years (Sperling et al., 2011). Thus, by the time even subtle symptoms are present, these processes may have been taking place for years, so early diagnosis is crucial.
I Was Referred for a Neuropsychological Evaluation. What’s Next?
Your doctor referred you for neuropsychological testing so you can be evaluated by a specialist trained to get detailed measures of your brain functioning. There are several reasons why your doctor may want measures of your brain functioning:
What is Neuropsychology and What Can It Do for Me?
Neuropsychology is the study of the relationship between brain function and behavior. Neuropsychological evaluations begin with assessment, where you do tasks that test the different key areas of your brain. After we interpret the tests, we get to know your brain functioning in detail and can figure out what parts of the brain are working fine and what parts are not. We use that information to make individually tailored recommendations which help make your treatments work better by teaching you how to rely more on the parts of your brain that are still functioning properly.
