Testing for Medical Concerns

Neuropsychological Testing

Neuropsychological testing helps us to understand the impact of medical events, such as head injury, stroke, or epilepsy on thinking, behaviors, and emotions. Learn more

Independent Medical Evaluations (IME)

Dr. Brian Cerny is able to offer IMEs when an objective assessment of cognitive or psychological functioning is needed in the context of a disability, workers' compensation, personal injury, or other medical-legal matter. Learn More

Neuropsychological Testing

Medical and neurological conditions can affect much more than physical health. An injury, illness, or neurological condition may also influence memory, attention, processing speed, language, problem-solving, emotional functioning, and the ability to manage everyday activities.

A neuropsychological evaluation provides a detailed assessment of cognitive and emotional functioning. By examining a person's strengths and areas of difficulty, testing can help clarify how a medical condition may be affecting day-to-day functioning and provide information to guide treatment, rehabilitation, and planning.

Why Consider Neuropsychological Testing?

A medical diagnosis does not always fully explain how a condition is affecting a person's day-to-day functioning. Neuropsychological testing can provide objective information about specific cognitive abilities and how they compare with expected levels of functioning.

An evaluation with us may help:

Identify cognitive changes. Testing can determine whether difficulties are present in areas such as memory, attention, processing speed, language, or executive functioning.
Understand the effects of a medical condition. Results can help clarify the cognitive and emotional consequences associated with a neurological injury or illness.
Establish a baseline. An evaluation can document functioning at a particular point in time, which may be useful when monitoring recovery or progression.
Guide rehabilitation and treatment. Identifying specific areas of difficulty can help inform recommendations for cognitive rehabilitation, therapy, medical care, and compensatory strategies.
Assess functional abilities. Results can help address questions about an individual's ability to return to work, school, driving, or other responsibilities, when such questions are clinically appropriate.
Document recovery or change over time. Repeat evaluations can help determine whether cognitive functioning has improved, remained stable, or changed.

Who May Benefit From an Evaluation?

Neuropsychological testing may be considered when there are concerns about changes in thinking, behavior, or emotional functioning associated with a medical or neurological condition.

An evaluation may be appropriate for individuals who have experienced:

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Concussions: A concussion or more significant traumatic brain injury can result in changes in attention, memory, processing speed, executive functioning, mood, and other abilities. Testing can help identify areas that may have been affected and provide recommendations for recovery, rehabilitation, and return to everyday activities.
Stroke: Following a stroke, cognitive and emotional changes can occur even when physical recovery is progressing well. Neuropsychological testing can assess areas such as language, memory, attention, processing speed, visuospatial abilities, and executive functioning and can help inform rehabilitation and ongoing care.
Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders: Epilepsy and its treatment can affect cognitive functioning in different ways. An evaluation can help assess memory, attention, language, processing speed, and executive functioning. Neuropsychological testing may also be used to monitor cognitive functioning over time or as part of treatment planning.
Other Neurological or Medical Conditions: Neuropsychological evaluations may also be useful when cognitive or emotional changes occur in connection with other neurological or medical conditions. The specific areas assessed depend on the individual's symptoms, medical history, and referral question.

Independent Medical Evaluations (IMEs)

An independent medical evaluation may be requested when an objective assessment is needed to address specific medical, functional, disability, or medical-legal questions.

In this context, the neuropsychological evaluation is conducted independently and is focused on the referral questions. Depending on the circumstances, the evaluation may consider available medical records, relevant history, reported symptoms, psychological functioning, test performance, and functional abilities.

An independent evaluation may be appropriate in matters involving:

Personal injury
Workers' compensation
Disability claims
Motor vehicle or other accident-related injuries
Traumatic brain injury claims
Questions concerning cognitive or psychological impairment
Other cases in which an objective assessment of functioning is requested

The specific purpose and scope of an independent medical evaluation vary by case. The evaluator's role is to provide an objective professional assessment rather than to advocate for either party.

What to Expect During an Evaluation

A neuropsychological evaluation typically begins with a clinical interview and review of relevant history. The psychologist may ask about the medical condition or injury, symptoms, treatment history, medications, education and work history, and changes in everyday functioning.

You will then complete a series of standardized tests that assess different aspects of cognitive and emotional functioning. Depending on the reason for the evaluation, testing may examine:

Memory and learning
Attention and concentration
Processing speed
Language
Problem-solving and reasoning
Executive functioning, including planning and organization
Visuospatial abilities
Emotional and psychological functioning

The evaluation is tailored to the individual's circumstances and the questions that need to be addressed. Testing may take several hours and can include breaks as needed.

Following the evaluation, the psychologist reviews the test results alongside the individual's history and other relevant information. A comprehensive report summarizes the findings and addresses the referral questions. Recommendations may include rehabilitation strategies, cognitive compensatory techniques, accommodations, additional medical care, or other appropriate next steps.

Meet the Testing Team

for Medical Concerns