Clinical Neuropsychological Assessment

A neuropsychological evaluation measures how your brain is working. Using standardized neuropsychological testing, a clinical interview, and a careful review of your medical history, our doctoral-level neuropsychologists, many board certified in clinical neuropsychology (ABPP), identify changes in memory, attention, and thinking, explain what is causing them, and recommend what to do next. Physicians most often refer patients after traumatic brain injury (TBI), concussion, epilepsy, or stroke, and for neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. For older adults, an evaluation is particularly useful in distinguishing normal age-related change from early dementia.

What Is a Neuropsychological Evaluation?

A neuropsychological evaluation at NSG includes three components:

• Medical Record Review The neuropsychologist reviews relevant medical records, imaging results, and prior evaluations to understand your clinical history.
• Clinical Interview A structured interview with you and, when available, a family member or other collateral informant, covering current symptoms, daily functioning, medical history, and specific cognitive and behavioral concerns.
• Standardized Testing Norm-referenced tests measuring verbal and visual memory, attention and concentration, processing speed, language, executive functioning (planning, organization, problem-solving), visuospatial abilities, and mood and psychiatric symptoms.

Testing also assesses functional abilities: the capacity to manage finances, medications, household tasks, and independent living.

What to Expect on Testing Day

Most evaluations take between three and six hours, including breaks, and are completed in a single visit. There are no needles, scans, or invasive procedures; testing consists of questions, puzzles, memory tasks, and paper-and-pencil or computer-based measures. Bring your glasses or hearing aids if you use them, a list of current medications, and any relevant medical records or prior test results. Get a normal night’s sleep, take your medications as usual unless instructed otherwise, and eat before you arrive. A family member is welcome to accompany you and may be asked to provide background information.

What You Will Receive

Following the evaluation, your neuropsychologist prepares a written report that includes a summary of relevant history, test results interpreted against age- and education-adjusted norms, diagnostic impressions, areas of cognitive strength and weakness, and specific recommendations for treatment, rehabilitation, accommodations, and follow-up care. The report goes to your referring physician or attorney and, on request, to you and your family. Your neuropsychologist can also schedule a feedback session to walk through the results with you.

Common Referral Questions

Neuropsychological evaluations at NSG address referral questions including:

• Is this dementia, depression, or normal aging?
• What is the cognitive impact of a traumatic brain injury or concussion?
• Is the patient safe to live independently, manage finances, or drive?
• Does the patient have ADHD?
• What cognitive changes have occurred since a stroke, surgery, or new medication?
• Is the patient competent to make medical or legal decisions?

Who Should Be Referred

• Patients with suspected or diagnosed traumatic brain injury (TBI) or concussion
• Patients with epilepsy or seizure disorders
• Patients with neurodegenerative conditions (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, multiple sclerosis)
• Older adults with memory complaints or functional decline
• Patients with suspected ADHD
• Pre-surgical and post-surgical neurology and neurosurgery patients
• Patients with psychiatric conditions affecting cognitive functioning
• Patients needing baseline testing before starting treatments that may affect cognition

Evaluations are available at all eight NSG clinics, with telehealth pre-screening available in 40+ states. To schedule a neuropsychological evaluation or discuss a referral, call (888) 606-0086 or fax referral documentation to (346) 223-0296.