What is the benefit of a Neuropsychological testing?

Hi! I had missed the part about her already receiving a diagnosis of MCI. Sorry about that! I think you ask a very good question. I do have some contacts in this field and I will ask them, ok? I'll get back with you! Virginia

Hi @anonimouse Nice to see you here on Mayo Connect! Lovely photo! I am sorry to read of your diagnosis and applaud your attitude, acceptance, and continuing to work on keeping as many balls in the air as you can!

Your post reminded me of another aspect of the benefits of my wife's neuropsychological testing. The 'knowing'! Not knowing and always wondering was far harder on her and us than once we all knew what was going on medically. She always found the times of not knowing and the times of waiting on results as to be far worse and harder than dealing with the reality once she and we knew it.

As my wife's husband I did need to attune myself to listen for her to say 'no'. Early on we were always in the 'try again' mode, but as time progressed and her journey continued I learned to accept when she'd say 'no' to me about some task, chore, or job she had been doing. I would often see a very positive change in her as she could put that challenge aside and continue to be happier doing those things she was able to continue to master and continued to bring her some measure of happiness. As my wife's neuro-oncologist used to remind me often 'change is inevitable. Accepting that can be the hardest part.'

Strength, courage, and peace!

Hi @tunared I wanted to respond to the last line of your post: "If her neurologist is correct and there is no current medication proven to cure or slow the progression of MCI, then why spend 3-6 anxious hours taking a neuropsych test?"

Speaking from my wife's experiences with these tests I observed that her only real anxiety was before the test, but that once participating she quickly lost her anxiety as she focused on the tests themselves.

Also in her case there was never any medicine or medical intervention that would cure or improve her brain cancer. We knew that, but realized the value of these tests was in their ability to help her, our adult children, and me understand and live the highest quality lives we could given her and our circumstances. I cannot emphasize enough how beneficial the findings of her neuropsychological tests were to me as her caregiver. They helped me formulate, plan, and then execute the very best life and care paths for her as I possibly could. Prior to those tests I was just stumbling around in the dark trying to guess which way was best for us to go.

Strength, courage, and peace

Hello I am a nurse forced into early retirement due to my diagnosis of early onset dementia. I am still able to care for myself drive and I keep very busy using my brain playing games, socializing with family and friends volunteering assistance to ones in need, draw, paint, refinishing furniture, sewing, rock tumbling, flower growing, yard work.. just anything and everything plus I try travel a lot . My diagnosis was initially from neuropsychologist referred to from my neurologist due to my memory loss and struggles. Work was really showing a dramatic change in thought patterns my words won’t come to me. But when I slow down and think it will come or I can brush it to the side and nobody notices. It’s worse when I get rushed or stressed it’s almost like I’m a foreign person trying to speak English but can’t think of the word. And my numbers really get affected. My husband is having a hard time accepting my problem and forces me to do a lot even though I mess up cooking and taking care of bills for example can be herendous at times. But I figure it keeps me sharper trial and error but at least I try and everyone makes mistakes right, I still fit in. Sometimes I get frustrated that I’ve been dealt this hand in life, but as the neuropsychology analyst told me when she give me the initial blow, “ITS NOT A DEATH SENTENCE. “ which at the time I thought well that’s something to say.. but now I see.. I need to and can live the best life I can and that again is all anyone can do. It’s my life sentence. My MRI Pet scan was the confirming point and then my career was demolished. Life as I knew it had to change. And it changes a little all the time, I wonder when I won’t fit in.... but until then I’m gonna keep on doing as much as I can. So yes them tests are beneficial in diagnosis sometimes.

My wife, 77 yrs old had progressive memory loss for last few years. Recently her physician during her annual wellness examination did cognitive test for memory with typical testing with Clock & time and three word repeat test for memory. She failed both. Her eldest sister died of Alzheimer's disease. She (my wife) had a MRI of brain showed mild atrophy. Her Doctor 6 months ago started her on Aricept which she is tolerating well . May be she is little better and takes care of herself and regular chores sometime may be not very correctly. She has refused Neuropsychological tests which doctor asked for recent visit.. I am a retired physician. I know what to expect. So far we live independently with no problems. At this stage I really not sure what we can accomplish with additional testing. Do you agree or have any comments?

Hello:
I am am Lewy Body dementia patient. Early onset - diagnosed at 57. Now 3 years into it.
It’s great that your wife can help with things. I get a good feelin when i feel that i have contributed.

For me - the neuropsych tests are used to
1) look at the areas of the brain that are involved - for me executive functioning is the main area with deficits in other areas which can help steer toward one diagnosis
2) track progression - I have progressed from mild impairment to moderate impairment

At some point, you have to think of putting themselves through hours of testing annually. This is on my mind as well at this point.

Stay safe and well.
Larry H.

My wife, 77 yrs old had progressive memory loss for last few years. Recently her physician during her annual wellness examination did cognitive test for memory with typical testing with Clock & time and three word repeat test for memory. She failed both. Her eldest sister died of Alzheimer's disease. She (my wife) had a MRI of brain showed mild atrophy. Her Doctor 6 months ago started her on Aricept which she is tolerating well . May be she is little better and takes care of herself and regular chores sometime may be not very correctly. She has refused Neuropsychological tests which doctor asked for recent visit.. I am a retired physician. I know what to expect. So far we live independently with no problems. At this stage I really not sure what we can accomplish with additional testing. Do you agree or have any comments?

Hello @doclax I'm Scott and I'm glad you found Mayo Connect. I found Connect when I was struggling to find solid support/advice for me as a long-term caregiver.

My wife fought a war with brain cancer for 14 1/2 years with many of her symptoms being similar to those of dementia patients, such as was the case with my MIL. Her neuro docs also recommended neuropsych testing for her and while it was not her favorite part of her visits, she did agree to do them. In talking to her when she was deciding, she told me there were two things that motivated her to do them. First, she knew the results helped me, as her caregiver, understand where things stood and what changes had occurred since the last test. Kind of a road map of where we were and how fast or in what direction we were now headed. It did help me as kind of an early-warning system for what might be coming our way. Her second motivation was the fact she was treated at Mayo and as a teaching hospital, she hoped her results would someday help other patients, doctors, researchers, and caregivers in similar situations to hers.

I know every patient and their journeys are unique, but I share my wife's experiences in the hopes it will help someone along the line here.

Strength, Courage, & Peace