What Happens During a Cognitive Impairment Evaluation?

Memory problems can be unsettling, especially when you are not sure whether a forgotten name, missed appointment, or repeated question is part of normal aging or a sign of something more. For patients and families, a neurological evaluation can provide answers and help determine what should happen next.

Research shows that the most comprehensive cognitive impairment testing combines medical history, cognitive and physical examinations, and brain imaging to understand what has changed, how those changes affect daily life, and whether an underlying neurological or medical condition may be contributing.

Continue reading to learn what to expect during cognitive impairment testing in Las Vegas, and where to find the best interventional neurologist to guide your testing and treatment. 

When Should You See an Interventional Neurologist About Memory Changes?

Occasional forgetfulness can happen at any age. A neurological evaluation only becomes necessary when memory or thinking problems begin interfering with everyday activities. Patients and caregivers who notice the following symptoms should consider getting evaluated by a neurologist:

• Forgetting recent conversations or events
• Asking the same questions repeatedly
• Getting lost in familiar places
• Having difficulty following familiar routines
• Struggling to find words during conversations
• Trouble managing finances, medications, appointments, or household responsibilities
• Changes in judgment or decision-making
• New changes in personality, mood, or behavior
• Difficulty planning or solving problems

Cognitive impairment and dementia can have several underlying causes, including Alzheimer’s disease, vascular disease, Parkinson’s disease, Lewy body disease, traumatic brain injury, and other neurological conditions. A comprehensive neurological evaluation is the only way physicians can investigate a potential cause rather than relying on memory symptoms alone. 

What Happens During a Neurological Evaluation for Possible Dementia?

The first appointment usually begins with a conversation with a neurologist who will want to understand when the symptoms started, how they have changed, and how they affect everyday life. 

A caregiver or family member can provide helpful information, particularly when the patient does not notice every change. Details about changes in memory, behavior, communication, mood, and daily activities can help the neurologist see the larger picture. 

Questions that may be asked include:

• The first symptoms you noticed
• How quickly the symptoms developed
• Changes in work, household tasks, or personal care
• Medical conditions and previous neurological problems
• Current medications and supplements
• Sleep, mood, and emotional health
• Family history of neurological disease
• Previous head injuries or strokes
• Changes in walking, balance, speech, or movement

From there, an interventional neurologist may also perform a physical and neurological examination. These can provide additional information about how the brain and nervous system are functioning.

What Does Memory Testing Measure?

Cognitive testing, also known as memory testing, is an evaluation in which a neurologist can assess several areas of thinking and memory. This type of testing is a useful part of evaluating cognitive disorders because it can help characterize cognitive strengths and weaknesses, support diagnosis, and guide care planning. Cognitive testing also gives the neurologist a baseline for future testing and can help determine whether a patient's abilities remain stable or change over time. Common cognitive tests include:

Is Brain Imaging Part of Testing for Dementia or Alzheimer’s?

Brain imaging with an MRI or CT scan can give physicians another way to investigate cognitive changes. Depending on the patient's symptoms and medical history, a neurologist may recommend imaging to look for structural or vascular changes in the brain.

Imaging can help physicians look for things that can change cognition, including:

• Prior strokes or other vascular injury
• Brain shrinkage or changes in brain structure
• Hydrocephalus
• Bleeding or blood collections
• Tumors or other structural abnormalities
• Other changes that may contribute to cognitive symptoms

Could Blood Flow Problems Affect Cognitive Function?

Conditions that affect blood flow to the brain may contribute to cognitive changes, particularly in patients with a history of stroke or other cerebrovascular disease. This is one reason a neurological evaluation may include a closer look at vascular health. When a vascular condition requires specialized treatment, finding the best endovascular surgeons in Las Vegas is the first step in getting the most effective treatment. 

What Happens After Cognitive Testing?

An abnormal memory test does not automatically mean that someone has Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. The results need to be considered alongside medical history, neurological examination, symptoms, daily function, medications, imaging, and other appropriate testing. Some causes of cognitive symptoms are treatable, so identifying the underlying cause is an important part of the evaluation.

How Can Caregivers Prepare for Cognition Testing?

Caregivers can play an important role in putting pieces together for an accurate diagnosis. Bringing specific examples can help the neurologist understand changes that may be difficult to describe during an appointment. Before the visit, consider writing down:

• When you first noticed a change
• Specific examples of memory or thinking problems
• Changes in mood or behavior
• Any problems with medications or appointments
• Changes in driving or getting around independently
• New difficulties with finances or household responsibilities
• Recent hospitalizations, illnesses, falls, or injuries
• A complete list of medications and supplements
• Questions you want the neurologist to answer

What Conditions Can Cause Cognitive Impairment?

Cognitive impairment can have many possible causes. Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most recognized, but it is not the only condition that can affect memory and thinking. Other possible causes include: 

• Vascular cognitive impairment
• Lewy body dementia
• Frontotemporal dementia
• Parkinson’s disease
• Traumatic brain injury
• Other neurological disorders

Find the Best Cognitive Impairment Specialist in Las Vegas

The Vascular and Neuroscience Institute provides neurological and cognitive assessments, advanced brain imaging, vascular evaluations, and ongoing care planning for patients with cognitive disorders. Our Las Vegas location is part of our network of five locations serving Southern California and Nevada. 

Our multidisciplinary team in Las Vegas includes neurologists and neuroendovascular specialists, led by Dr. Asif Taqi, a quintuple-board-certified neurologist certified in neurology, vascular neurology, neurocritical care, critical care neurology, and neuroendovascular surgery. His training includes neurology residency and fellowships in vascular neurology, neurocritical care, and endovascular interventional neuroradiology at the University of Tennessee and Medical College of Wisconsin. 

For patients and families facing cognitive changes, this combination of neurological evaluation, cognitive assessment, brain imaging, and vascular evaluation can provide a more complete picture of what may be affecting brain health.

Ready to see the best cognitive impairment specialist in Las Vegas to discuss memory or thinking changes?