Do you feel a change in the way you think? Let's talk about Neuropsychological Testing!

Have you ever seen an elderly person in your home, perhaps your mother, father, grandmother or grandfather, ask the same thing ten times, forget things they did before, and behave very differently than before? Or do you find yourself unable to remember things like before, unable to plan things properly, and having difficulty keeping your mind focused? When you go to see a doctor at a time like this, he may suggest that you undergo " Neuropsychological Testing" . Some people may be scared when they hear this name. But this is actually nothing to be afraid of. This is like a 'check-up' that looks deeply into the functioning of our brain .

Simply put, what is Neuropsychological Testing?

This isn't really a single test. It's a collection of tests, questions, and activities that doctors use to get information about how your brain is working. Neuropsychologists , who are specially trained to do this, analyze the results of these tests to understand the relationship between your brain health and your behavior, mood, and cognition.

Just like a mechanic checks a car's engine when there's a problem, this test checks the functioning of different parts of your brain.

This test helps the doctor with many things.

• Diagnose a disease: If you have problems thinking or understanding things, the results of this test can help you figure out what's causing it. For example, it can help you figure out whether your memory loss is normal as you get older, or if it's caused by depression or some other neurological condition.

• Find out your thinking strengths and weaknesses: Sometimes you may be asked to take this test after a condition like a stroke or traumatic brain injury. Also, if you are someone who regularly plays contact sports, or if someone in your family has dementia , this test is also done to get a baseline . Then, if there are any changes in the future, you can compare the results with these test results.

• Plan future treatment: The test results can help you decide what treatment you need. For example, this can help you decide which skills to focus on in things like occupational therapy or speech therapy . The results can also be used to suggest changes to your school or work routine.

What does this test actually look for?

In a neuropsychological test, your various mental functions are tested. To make it easier to understand, let's look at it this way.

At what time does a doctor recommend doing this test?

If you or someone in your family has the following symptoms, a doctor may recommend this test.

• Personality changes for no reason: suddenly becoming angry, or constantly sad, suspicious, etc.
• Short-term memory loss : Asking the same question five or six times. You may not even remember whether you ate or took your medicine.
• Difficulty talking and maintaining relationships with others.
• Difficulty speaking, finding the right words.
• Looking at a map, having difficulty drawing something.
• Constantly losing belongings or getting lost even on well-trodden paths.
• Mixing up money and forgetting to pay bills.
• Decreased attention and concentration .
• Decreased ability to choose between right and wrong and make decisions.
• Difficulty recognizing close family and friends.
• Difficulty getting things done in an orderly manner and finishing tasks once started.

The results of this test will help your doctor understand your condition and make a diagnosis. For example, it can help identify and manage conditions such as:

• Alzheimer's disease
• Brain tumors
• Dementia
• Epilepsy
• Learning disabilities
• Stroke and Transient ischemic attack
• Traumatic brain injury
• Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders
• Multiple sclerosis

How is the test done? Is it something to be afraid of?

Not at all. This is something that is done very systematically.

First, on the day you are referred for testing, the neuropsychologist will talk to you. He or she will ask about your medical history, education, employment, and any concerns you may have. If you have a family member with you, they may also be asked about the information, with your consent. Based on this information, he or she will decide which tests are most appropriate for you.

Then, a trained technician (psychometrist) will give you these activities. These include:

• They let you write or draw certain things.
• They are asked to solve puzzles or answer questions.
• Sometimes you are asked to respond to certain things via a computer.

How do I prepare for this?

To get the most accurate results from the test, it's important to be in the best possible mental state for the day. To do this, do these things.

• Get a good night's sleep the night before the test.
• Eat well in the morning.
• Unless your doctor has told you otherwise, take all of your regular medications on time.
• Be sure to bring any items you use, such as glasses and hearing aids.
• If you have previously had psychological or educational tests like this, bring those reports as well.

Are there any risks with this test?

There are no medical risks associated with this test. However, since it can take several hours , some people may feel a little tired or a little fatigued. Therefore, do not do anything strenuous on the evening of the test. It is best to get some rest.

How are the results obtained? What do they tell us?

After the test, the neuropsychologist analyzes your results. Here, your results are compared to the average results of a healthy person of your age, and perhaps your educational level.

Then, he will write an in-depth report about your results. The report will include the following:

• Identifying what your strengths are.
• Identifying areas where you had difficulty or showed weaknesses.
• Recommendations and interventions to help overcome or live with those weaknesses.
• Perhaps referrals to other specialists.

This report does not directly say "you have this disease." However, with your consent, this report is sent to your doctor. The doctor will take this report, other test results, and your symptoms together and come to a final conclusion about your medical condition.

It usually takes about two weeks to analyze the results and prepare the report. During that time, don't worry too much about the results and go about your daily work.