They can conduct psychological testing and offer psychotherapy, or “talk therapy,” related to coping strategies, caregiving and behavior management of the symptoms of Alzheimer's. They have earned a doctorate in psychology and can perform various evaluative tests, but they are not authorized to prescribe medications.
Neurologists are trained to detect subtleties of the brain that cause memory problems. Only they can conduct a thorough neurological exam and recommend subsequent treatment for brain disorders such as Alzheimer's.
After a diagnosis, neurologists may prescribe medication for dementia, as well as a variety of therapies to help slow down the progression of symptoms.
Dementia and Memory Disorders. Penn neurologists evaluate, diagnose and treat patients with memory and dementia disorders. Dementia is a term used to describe impairments in thinking that can be caused by various diseases. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, but there are many others.
Your doctor will perform an initial physical exam and cognitive screening tests. If results from these tests indicate a problem, you may be referred to a neurologist for an in-depth cognitive evaluation. The evaluation will assess attention, concentration, memory, problem-solving and verbal skills.
Is a Neurologist the Best Choice? Considering the myriad specialists in the treatment of Alzheimer's, a good “best bet” after a visit with one's primary care doctor is a neurologist versed in Alzheimer's and conditions affecting the elderly.
Administration: The examiner reads a list of 5 words at a rate of one per second, giving the following instructions: “This is a memory test. I am going to read a list of words that you will have to remember now and later on. Listen carefully. When I am through, tell me as many words as you can remember.
Neurocognitive testing is a way to measure brain function non invasively. It uses paper-and-pencil tests or computerized tests to assess important aspects of cognition: attention, memory, language, reaction time, perception, and so on.
Your neurologist will usually begin by asking some general questions to determine the functioning of your 'higher centres'. This will include things like orientation, concentration and problem solving. Next they will assess the cranial nerves – the nerves of the head.
The Mini-Cog test.
A third test, known as the Mini-Cog, takes 2 to 4 minutes to administer and involves asking patients to recall three words after drawing a picture of a clock. If a patient shows no difficulties recalling the words, it is inferred that he or she does not have dementia.
Common Drugs to Avoid
Narcotics such as hydrocodone, oxycodone and morphine; muscle relaxants such as cyclobenzaprine, carisoprodol; NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen should be avoided if possible.
Geriatrician, who specializes in the care of older adults and dementia.
If you aren't sure which stage of dementia you or your loved one are in right now, take an online Alzheimer's test. This can help pinpoint an individual's symptoms and stage.
The average life expectancy figures for the most common types of dementia are as follows: Alzheimer's disease – around eight to 10 years. Life expectancy is less if the person is diagnosed in their 80s or 90s. A few people with Alzheimer's live for longer, sometimes for 15 or even 20 years.
The neurologist treats disorders that affect the brain, spinal cord, and nerves, such as: Cerebrovascular disease, such as stroke. Demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system, such as multiple sclerosis. Headache disorders.
Neuropsychological evaluation.
This process lasts around four hours and includes a series of in-depth analyses, such as one-on-one interviews and written and oral tests. These assessments are designed to gauge specific cognitive functions, like attention, problem solving, spatial skills, and executive functioning.
The Mini-Cog© is a fast and simple screening test to help detect dementia in its early stages. In just 3 minutes, Mini-Cog© can help doctors and other professional care providers identify possible cognitive impairment in older patients.
The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a tool that helps healthcare professionals detect mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease in people. A 2021 study found that it is a better measure of cognitive function than the MMSE. It consists of 30 questions that take 10–12 minutes to accomplish.
The five-minute cognitive test (FCT) was designed to capture deficits in five domains of cognitive abilities, including episodic memory, language fluency, time orientation, visuospatial function, and executive function.
You have trouble following a conversation. You find it hard to make decisions, finish a task or follow instructions. You start to have trouble finding your way around places you know well. You begin to have poor judgment.