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Tuesday, November, 24, 2009
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Neuropsychological Testing for Alzheimer's

David Roeltgen, MD
David Roeltgen, MD
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Neurologist, Professor

A neurologist for over 20 years, Dr. Roeltgen's passions include...

David Roeltgen, MD

Monday, March 24, 2008
View All of David Roeltgen, MD's Posts
Often when a person goes to see a doctor because he or she has concerns about memory or the possibility of Alzheimer's disease, the doctor may recommend "Neuropsychological Testing." It is helpful to have some idea what this is, and what it is used for.  Neuropsychological testing ...
  1. Untitled Comment
    Sue
    Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 03:09 PM

    Thanks so much for your post Dr. Roeltgen.  Your description of this testing is valuable information for our members.  I certainly learned alot from reading your post.

     

    For those of you who may have just been diagnosed, in part by having taken these tests, you may need more information on what do do next.  Check out our Just Diagnosed as well as the Basics of Alzheimer's sections for facts and tips to help you understand what the disease is about.

     

    Hope this helps - all the best, sue (moderator) 

    Reply
    re: Untitled Comment
    Caregiverwife
    Sunday, April 27, 2008 at 06:13 PM

    I would like to thank Dr. Roeltgen for the article also.  My husband has alzheimers and was diagnosed in May 2006 was placed on Exelon at that time I saw a clear change immediately.  However, I noticed that things changed again so, the neurologist suggested a Neuropsychological evaluation which was done in October and I feel the evaluation gave me a much better understanding of the kind of deficits my husband was dealing with and it was decided after the evaluation that he is actually a "mixed dementia" patient.  It was if a lightbulb was turned on for me.  I started researching Vascular dementia and of course Alzheimers and now know that they both sometimes occur at the same time.

     Finally, there were clear recommendations for his care, suggestions on how to communicate better and suggested he "refrain" from driving and he should not operate home appliances.  He recently had another appt with his Dr. and during the MMSE it became clear there has been further decline, so Namenda was added.  I have to say that I can not tell if the Namenda has helped, it has not hurt so maybe that's all I can hope for...

    So, as his caregiver who still has to work I have a better understanding of what I should investigate to better care for him since he had the neuropsychological evaluation. 

     

    Reply
    re: Untitled Comment
    Caregiverwife
    Sunday, April 27, 2008 at 06:13 PM

    I would like to thank Dr. Roeltgen for the article also.  My husband has alzheimers and was diagnosed in May 2006 was placed on Exelon at that time I saw a clear change immediately.  However, I noticed that things changed again so, the neurologist suggested a Neuropsychological evaluation which was done in October and I feel the evaluation gave me a much better understanding of the kind of deficits my husband was dealing with and it was decided after the evaluation that he is actually a "mixed dementia" patient.  It was if a lightbulb was turned on for me.  I started researching Vascular dementia and of course Alzheimers and now know that they both sometimes occur at the same time.

     Finally, there were clear recommendations for his care, suggestions on how to communicate better and suggested he "refrain" from driving and he should not operate home appliances.  He recently had another appt with his Dr. and during the MMSE it became clear there has been further decline, so Namenda was added.  I have to say that I can not tell if the Namenda has helped, it has not hurt so maybe that's all I can hope for...

    So, as his caregiver who still has to work I have a better understanding of what I should investigate to better care for him since he had the neuropsychological evaluation. 

     

    Reply
    re: Untitled Comment
    Caregiverwife
    Sunday, April 27, 2008 at 06:15 PM

    Sorry website said something went wrong and I thought the post did not go through.  Sorry for the double post.

     

    CaregiverwifeSurprised

    Reply
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