Evaluating Memory and Thinking Problems: What to Expect?

Your doctor will likely take multiple steps in order to evaluate your memory and thinking. The evaluation may be divided into several visits, allowing time to gather information to accurately determine the cause of your concerns and rule out other possibilities. Understanding the type and purpose of the tests your doctor(s) may order and knowing what to expect during an evaluation can be empowering and help to ease anxiety.

Medical history and physical exam
To obtain information to assist with diagnosis, your doctor may:

• Ask you about your past and current medical problems and concerns.
• Review all of the medications you currently take, as well as those you took in the past.
• Ask you about your diet and use of alcohol.
• Ask you about medical conditions present in your family. With your permission, the doctor may also talk to your family members to gain additional insight that can help with reaching a diagnosis. During a physical exam, your doctor may:
• Check your blood pressure, temperature, and pulse.
• Listen to your heart.
• Perform other procedures to assess your overall health. possibilities.

Lab tests

The doctor may order various tests to assist in detecting potential causes for your symptoms.

• Bloodwork. Your doctor may order bloodwork to check for a thyroid hormone or vitamin deficiency, to rule out infection, or to check how organs such as your liver and kidneys are functioning.
• Urinalysis. The doctor may request a urine sample to screen for infection and assess kidney function.

Brain imaging

• Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans are used to see the structure of the brain.

Mental health and cognitive status tests

• Depression screening.
• Mental cognitive status tests. These tests are used to evaluate your memory, your problem-solving skills, and other thinking skills.
  • Some tests are very brief. For example, you may be asked about the date and time, asked to remember a short list of words, or asked to do simple math calculations. Other tests can involve more time and complex problem-solving.
  • Some tests are more comprehensive evaluation known as neuropsychological exam, which uses multiple tests and evaluates many cognitive areas, including executive function, judgment, attention, and language. You may be asked to see a neuropsychologist to get this evaluation done