Memory is the treasure house of the mind wherein the monuments thereof are kept and preserved.
Thomas Fuller, M.D.
Oftentimes, impaired cognitive function comes with age. Yet, there are many other factors that could play into mental acuity, including diet, exercise, and hormone levels.
When doctors have a full understanding of patient health, including both their physical biomarkers and brain function, they are better able to understand the complex interplay among these physical and mental aspects of wellness to make more informed care decisions.
Neurocognitive testing is a noninvasive method for measuring brain function. It evaluates specific cognitive abilities, including memory, fine motor control, and recognition, among others. Various abilities are linked to different areas in the brain. For instance, organization skills are linked to the frontal lobes, while memory skills are concentrated in the temporal lobes.
Assessing cognitive strengths and weaknesses gives doctors a comprehensive picture of how your brain is functioning overall. Find out more about this powerful testing method and why it’s used below.
Neurocognitive tests are robust and measure a broad range of functions. At Cenegenics, these tests are broken down into six individual assessments, each of which measures a specific brain function:
Based on the scores of the exercises above, patients receive a score for each of the following domains:
There are also embedded measures built into the assessments to evaluate their validity. These help to evaluate whether a subject could be manipulating the test score, either intentionally or as a result of not understanding the test instructions.
Scores are also given in ranges including above average, average, low average, low, and very low. These ranges allow doctors to determine potential cognitive deficits and their level of impairment.
Neurocognitive tests have many benefits. Brain scans and surgeries can be costly, time-intensive, and invasive, but neurocognitive performance tests don’t take much time to complete and pose no risk to patient health. Plus, the scores from these assessments can accurately measure brain function, which may allow for the diagnosis of issues or impairments.
Even the slightest impairments can be evaluated with millisecond precision to provide immediate clinical insight into a patient’s impairments or deficits. Doctors can then use these impairments to look for patterns, which help to identify causes or any other underlying conditions.
Neurocognitive tests are also useful for establishing a baseline of cognitive wellness. Whether an issue is detected or the patient scores high in all test areas, their present answers provide a baseline that clinicians can reference in the future. This will allow them to better manage clinical conditions and treatments. For example, comparing the scores of future tests to the baseline results will allow doctors to determine whether the patient is responding well to treatments, rehabilitation efforts, or even simple lifestyle tactics such as exercise and dietary changes to promote better cognitive wellness.
Modern neurocognitive performance testing is extremely sensitive and objective and shows the ability to produce consistent results. Ultimately, doctors who provide this service can achieve a more comprehensive understanding of patient health, with the ability to measure not only physical wellness but also brain health.
Changes in cognition are often associated with natural changes brought on by aging. Yet, figuring any cognitive impairments are unavoidable parts of aging is a dangerous assumption to make. While aging is a natural process, it’s one that can be managed through personalized and comprehensive care.
If you’ve been experiencing any differences in your cognitive abilities – no matter your age – you could be a good candidate for neurocognitive testing. In particular, anyone with the following symptoms should consider an assessment:
A neurocognitive test could shed light on any underlying issues and give doctors the ability to pinpoint issues early on when treatments are most likely to be effective. They can also observe any areas of cognitive underperformance which could be improved with simple lifestyle adjustments. No matter what your circumstances may be, this testing can uncover illuminating results which have the potential to improve your life and preserve your mental acuity, now and into the future.
Neurocognitive testing may sound intimidating, but this noninvasive assessment simply gauges key brain functions to measure mental acuity. With a series of simple tests, clinicians are able to look for any impairments in the areas of memory, motor skills, processing speed, attention, and reaction time, among others. These insights can uncover potential problem areas, but also help to provide a roadmap for treatment or lifestyle management techniques, if needed.
If you’re interested in exploring the benefits of neurocognitive testing firsthand, contact your nearest Cenegenics location. This testing is a standard component of Cenegenics’ Elite Health Evaluations, which help trained clinicians uncover valuable insights into their patients’ overall health. With these robust evaluations and the subsequent care they receive, patients can enjoy optimal health and vitality as they age.
Our world-class physicians create a personalized plan to help you feel 10+ years younger. You’ll be more energetic, lose weight, sleep better, have more libido, and think more clearly. Click below to schedule a free consultation with one of our physicians. It’s quick + easy.
Key Resources
This guide was produced with contributions from the following key resources:
The Cenegenics Education and Research Foundation
The Textbook of Age Management Medicine Volume 1: Mastering Healthy Aging Nutrition, Exercise, and Hormone Replacement Therapy
The Cenegenics Education and Research Foundation
The Textbook of Age Management Medicine Volume 2: Mastering Healthy Aging Nutrition, Exercise and Hormone Replacement Therapy
Textbook Authors:
Jeffrey Park Leake, M.D., CPT
Dr. Jeffrey Park Leake is a Partner and Director of Education at Cenegenics Elite Health specializing in age management and wellness. Having trained hundreds of physicians worldwide, Dr. Leake is also the Director of Education for the Clinical Strategies for Healthy Aging course at AMM Educational Foundation.
Todd David Greenberg, M.D., CSCS
Dr. Todd Greenberg is a practicing physician with a broad range of expertise, including wellness, exercise, sports injuries, and MRI of sports injuries. He is a Radiology Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Washington.
Additional Resources
Understanding Preventive Care: Age Management vs Anti-Aging
What is Age Management Medicine?
Youth is a Feeling – Not a Number
Understanding How to Deal with Stressors
This is How Your Body is Reacting to Stress
Long Term Effects of Anxiety on the Body
Causes and Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders
Learn About Vitamin K – Including Beneficial Foods with Vitamin K
Are You Experiencing Low Vitamin D?
What is Andropause? And How is it Affecting You?
Rudy Inaba is Cenegenics’ Vice President of Health Performance. He is a recognized fitness and sports nutrition consultant with nearly 15 years of experience in clinical exercise physiology and lifestyle management. After pursuing his Master of Science in Clinical Exercise Physiology at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, Rudy joined Cenegenics where he leads 19 clinical locations nationwide in their advancements in kinesiology, nutritional biochemistry, and their analyses of industry research & market trending.