What's involved in memory screening and testing?
Changes in memory and thinking skills can be evaluated initially with a mini mental status exam. If the exam indicates possible cognition decline, more thorough neuropsychological testing may be necessary. This is conducted by a neuropsychologist, and usually involves a conversation with the doctor, then a few hours of testing. It’s also key to consider physical health, since underlying conditions can interfere with memory and thinking skills, such as poor sleep, depression, and urinary tract infections. When testing is completed, a doctor will put the information together to determine what could be causing changes in memory and thinking.
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