Neuropsychological Tests

Why It Is Done

This testing gives your doctor an overall picture of how well your brain works. Your doctor can use the results to decide the best treatment or rehabilitation program for you.

Your doctor may recommend this testing if:

• You have a disease that can affect the brain, such as:
  • Alzheimer's disease or other dementia.
  • Stroke.
  • Multiple sclerosis.
  • Brain tumor.
  • Parkinson's disease.
  • Epilepsy.
  • AIDS.
• You have an injury that may have affected your brain, such as a concussion or a more serious brain injury.
• You have a history of substance use disorder that may have affected your brain.
• You have been exposed to poisons, chemicals, or pollution that can cause brain damage.
• You have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or problems in school.
• Your doctor wants to see how well treatment for one of these diseases, conditions, or injuries is working.

How To Prepare

Make sure you eat first and are well rested so that being tired or hungry doesn't affect testing. Remember to bring your glasses or hearing aids if you use them.

How It Is Done

There are many kinds of neuropsychological tests. The ones you take will depend on the particular brain functions that your doctor wants to check.

The tests are meant to test your limits, so don't be discouraged if they seem hard.

It may take several hours to take all the tests. But you may not have to take all of them at once.

Most of the tests involve answering questions or performing tasks. You may be taking some of the tests on a computer, using pencil and paper, or using other objects. Here are some examples of brain functions and some tests that check them:

Tests for attention span and memory

You might be asked to:

• Repeat a series of numbers, letters, or words.
• Look at some simple drawings and then draw them from memory.

Tests for language and speech skills

You might be asked to:

• Name pictures that the examiner shows you.
• Point to a picture named by the examiner.
• Name as many words as you can think of that begin with a certain letter or are in a certain category (for example, animals or fruits).

Test for reasoning, planning, and organizing skills

You might be asked to:

• Sort cards according to colors or shapes on the cards.
• Use a pencil to connect a series of numbered or lettered dots on a sheet of paper.
• Stack colored discs in a certain pattern.

How It Feels

You might feel nervous if you know your ability to think is being judged by the person giving you the tests. The tests are meant to test your limits, so don't be discouraged if they seem hard.

You may get tired, because the tests can take several hours.

If you are being checked for a health condition, such as Alzheimer's disease, you may be afraid of what the tests will show.

Risks

Your doctor may not be able to find the cause of your symptoms, because some problems are hard to diagnose. Also, other tests may be needed to accurately diagnose your problem.

Results

Test results give your doctor an overall picture of how well you are able to think, reason, and remember. Your doctor may discuss some results with you right away. Complete results may not be available for several weeks.

The results of the test may help determine when an athlete who has had a concussion can return to play. Testing can also identify mood or emotional problems.

Many conditions can change the results of a neuropsychological test. For example, depression can slow your thinking. But your doctor will consider your other symptoms when looking at the test results.