What is the benefit of a Neuropsychological testing?

My wife had a 3 hour neuropsych exam in November 2022 which concluded that she probably early stage (not early onset) Alzheimer’s dementia. Her neurologist put her on 5mg Aricept. We saw the neurologist 6 months later; the Aricept was helping so he increased the dose to 10 mg. I asked him then whether we should repeat the exam on her one year anniversary. He said that it was not necessary unless she was exhibiting a significant decline.

I posted a long reply but want to say to you and your wife. Take a deep breath and think of the appt and tests as a feather in your cap of knowing how to proceed in various aspects of life and thought.
I’m breathing with you.

In early 2020, a few months after his MCI diagnosis, my husband was recommended by his neurologist to have the extended neuro psychological testing done at Yale and against my husband's wishes, I scheduled the test. A short way into the testing, he cut it short, saying it was "insulting" and he thought it was mainly be done for neurology research and not to help him specifically. Well! He now does the short tests in his neurologist's and geriatrician's offices and so far, 4 years post MCI diagnosis, he's doing pretty well. Uses the daily rivastigmine (Exelon) patch and takes memantine and Lexapro. Once we got it into our heads that there's no cure for dementia, and the testing should be done to do what's appropriate for the stage he's in, we have declined any long testing sessions which, like for your wife, only serve to increase anxiety and thereby diminish their quality of life.

Hold him close and be thankful for each day you have him BUT hold on tight because it's going to be a bumpy ride. Take care

@fwentz -- Beautiful post about your wife. May you get many more happy years with her.

/LarryG

I was feeling like there were "glitches" in my thinking after a concussion and so my neurologist sent me for this testing. It was an interesting morning of doing targeted tasks, remembering stories, drawing, some manipulative tasks and so on. I didn't feel bad; the technicians were very kind. The results were very descriptive--I didn't have deficits but I did realize how much effort it took in coping with them. Processing did improve for me a year or so later, and that was three years after the severe concussion. My husband also took the testing and they were able to pinpoint short term memory lapses and planning. However, he is able to do his job as a musician yet.

@marye2 thanks for sharing your cognitive testing. I’ve always wondered. Does it take several hours?

I think it took a whole morning, maybe 3-4 hours. They gave breaks here and there, too.