Evaluation of Memory Problems
Introduction to Memory Evaluation
- Both psychiatry and neurology specialists can evaluate memory problems, with the appropriate specialist depending on the suspected underlying cause and presenting symptoms, as recommended by the American Academy of Neurology 1, 2
Role of Specialist Referral
- Refer to neurology when memory problems are accompanied by neurological symptoms, such as movement disorders or sensory changes, as suggested by the American Academy of Neurology 1, 2
- Refer to neurology when cognitive decline is progressive and objective, with abnormalities detected on cognitive screening tests, as recommended by the American Academy of Neurology 1
- Refer to neurology when patient presents with atypical cognitive abnormalities, such as aphasia, apraxia, or agnosia, as suggested by the American Academy of Neurology 1
- Refer to neurology when there is a family history of neurodegenerative disease, as recommended by the American Academy of Neurology 4
Neuropsychological Testing
- Neuropsychological evaluation is recommended when office-based cognitive assessment is not sufficiently informative, as suggested by the American Academy of Neurology 1, 5
- Comprehensive testing is valuable when patient reports concerning symptoms but performs normally on brief cognitive tests, as recommended by the American Academy of Neurology 1
- Neuropsychological testing can help distinguish between psychiatric and neurological causes of memory problems, as suggested by the American Academy of Neurology 5, 6
Interdisciplinary Approach
- In complex cases, collaboration between psychiatry and neurology may be optimal, as recommended by the American Academy of Neurology 2
- A comprehensive memory evaluation often benefits from neurologist assessment, psychiatric assessment, neuropsychological testing, and geriatric assessment, as suggested by the American Academy of Neurology 2, 3, 5