People who are concerned about memory loss or changes in other cognitive abilities should seek an evaluation. Often family members initially suggest that a loved one seek an evaluation.
A comprehensive evaluation at a specialty clinic typically includes the following:
- Complete medical history
- Neurological exam
- Laboratory tests
- Neuropsychological testing (paper and pencil tests of cognitive functioning)
- Brain scans (CT or MRI)
- Information from close family members
The goal of an evaluation is to identify treatable problems (such as B-12 deficiency, thyroid problems, depression, etc.) that could be causing the cognitive problems and to prevent further decline.