Neuropsychological Testing

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone here could tell a limbo - lander anything about neuropsycholocial testing entails and what it is typically done for? My neuro satted he is wening me off migraine meds in order to start of with a clean slate and will begin doing some tests..Any input would be great..he did not specify just said neuropsychological testing?

Jibjen

[jensequitur]

It's to check for cognitive impairment.  Typically a neuro-psych exam is given when organic damage to the brain is suspected.  Sometimes a neuro will schedule it to make sure the patient isn't faking any symptoms.

I asked, practically begged for mine.  It was a good idea - it shows mild cognitive impairment and problems with retaining and processing information.

[twist330]

Quix has given a really good explination of this in her post to me.

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Multiple-Sclerosis/SSEP-Test--getting-a-bit-desperate/show/1197032

[jibjen]

Thanks..I appreciated your response..

[jibjen]

Thanks..I'll look ;o)

[supermum_ms]

I was tested, and even though it showed i had significant decline, with my new cognitive issues evident, i think it would of been much worse if i'd had the test early into the episode. I did not have ANY nouns but by the time i was tested (over 6 months later) i'd been working hard on getting them back so overal my results were better than they would of been. Hmmm even the writing part of the test would of been worse, my tremor had reduced and i could again hold a pen in my hand and write legibly, even if i didn't recognise my new handwritting lol

I use to know what all the parts of the tests were called and what they are determining but now i have to go and look them up, this should give you an idea of what to expect but remember there are various different tests that they can use, mine was a mini test, over in an hour, some are very detailed and last half the day. The WAIS-R is the most commonly used, i did a shortened version.

VERBAL

information: testing information - general knowledge eg capital city, name current events etc

Comprehension: testing practical information and ability to make social judgement eg why do we lock our front door.

Arithmatic: mental arithmatic, assess ability to reason using arithmatic eg how many 45 cent stamps can you buy with $2

Similarities: comparing items, assessing logical thinking eg how are an apple and pair alike

Vocabulary: definition of words, assessing ability to learn and use verbal information eg what is a guitar

Digit span: assessing attention and rote memory, 3 - 9 digits orally repeated forward and backwards

PERFORMANCE

Picture completion: assessing visual alertness and visual memory, eg find missing things in a picture

Picture arrangement: assessing ability to comprehend social situations, eg rearrange a sequence of pictures to make a meaningful story

Block test: assessing ability to think in a whole with parts and ability to think abstractly, little plastic red and white blocks, eg reproduce an abstract picture with the blocks

Object assembly: assessing the ability to construct a concrete form from its components eg mixed up pieces you put together to form say a cat

Digit symbol: assessing speed of learning and writing symbols, timed for 90 seconds to fill in a sheet eg a number is replaced by a symbol

It is easy and designed that way, no tricky question and you will not be able to tell when you have hit the ceiling of a subset or reached your limit of ability. If you do not have a prior assessment, then the presumption is that you are of normal intelligence and abilities.

One of the tests i did i'm not sure where it fits in, but i had to name an object on a picture, this showed my issues with nouns, the 4th picture and i could describe what it did, what it was made of, origin etc but drew a blank on its name, i did get a prompt of the first letter of its name, and then it was instant eg A = Accordian.

The other was to spontaneously write for 10 minutes, dont know why but i wrote about something my grandad did almost 40 years ago, thats just what popped into my head and i was writing very clear school print, nothing like what i teach/taught. My otherwise natural writing is loopy cursive and small, this was round, large and print, weird though normal apparently, though not for me.

Hope thats what you were looking for :-)

Cheers......JJ    

[jibjen]

Wow..

Thank You.. I am unsure whiich tests my doc will choose or if I will need all but that is great info. I appreciate you explaining them..

This should be fun LOL
Jibs..

[supermum_ms]

Just thought of something else i ment to say but forgot (lol) which was, dont be alarmed or freak if something that seems really simple turns out to be not so simple after all. Keep your head on :-) and go with it, try your hardest all the time, if you get stumped or loose focus, say so, i always believe in being forthright, this is not the time to be faking normal!!

I have always believed in the subset scores, any area that is low or even high, has more meaning on there own than after they have been averaged out together. I would of loved to of got my hands on the subset results, my stated issues would still have stood out as low but my strengths would even everything out into normal when its tallied up. Sheesh my test showed significant decline but because my IQ was high to begin with, i ended averaging out into the normal range. I semi regret knowing i was gifted and now have proof of my decline in cognitive skills, even if they dont know how to acknowledge the decline because i'm still normal ROFL Its bonkers to now even have proof there IS something significantly affecting my brain and still be in limbo, you'd of thought it was worth further investigation, NOT!

Cheers.......JJ

[Quixotic1]

A full neuropsych eval can last an entire day - 4 hours in morning, 1 hour break and 4 hours in afternoon.

JJ - I agree with you about the subsets.  Even averaging tests in related areas can mask real decline.  Just because something ends up in the normal range does NOT mean it is normal.  I have my own story about this with my old, evil neuro, but it makes me too mad to think about it.

Quix

[jibjen]

Thanks Quix,

Just curious, I'm 40 y.o. and my doc is contributing lesions to age and migraines....is there literature/research on just how many lesions can develop at my age and with migraines? Migraines are minimal... I always read that normal lesions associated with age are seen in people much older than 40....that was 1 article....(It just seems like a lot)
I have 20 lesions currently. he said we would do another MRI in Fall...I guess that is really making me the most anxious.

Jibs

[jibjen]

Sorry Quix,
should have added,

I am glad, he is continuing testing with me as that makes me feel like he is taking my symptoms seriously.
Thanks for your input on these tests. I am sorry you have a horror story for yours....I am afraid of mine coming back normal and being labeld a complete fool or psychopath.
I guess I will have to wait and see.
(Sorry was off track on topic w/ previous response to you)

Be Well Jibs