Neuropsychological Assessment for Cognitive Impairment

Some forgetfulness is a normal part of aging, but changes that affect daily life, such as missed bills, repeated questions, getting lost, or trouble following conversations, deserve a closer look. Testing compares memory and thinking skills with others of the same age and education, so you know whether changes are expected or a concern.

When dementia is a concern, testing helps clarify whether symptoms fit normal aging, mild cognitive impairment, or a dementia such as Alzheimer's disease, and whether depression, anxiety, or other treatable factors may be contributing. With your permission, Dr. Hartley shares results with your physician to support diagnosis and treatment planning.

After a concussion, fall, car accident, or other head injury, people may notice slowed thinking, poor concentration, memory lapses, or irritability. Testing measures these changes, documents current functioning, and helps guide decisions about returning to work, school, or other activities. Evaluations are also available for personal injury cases.

Testing after a head injury establishes a baseline of how memory, attention, processing speed, and problem-solving have been affected. Follow-up evaluations can then be compared with that baseline to track recovery over time and show whether difficulties are improving, stable, or persisting.

A clinical interview, a review of medical history and records, input from a family member when appropriate, and standardized tests of memory, attention, processing speed, language, reasoning and problem-solving, and visual-spatial skills. Mood is screened as well, because depression and anxiety can affect memory and concentration.

You will receive a feedback session and a written report that explains the results in plain language, with recommendations for care planning, safety and independence, support for family members, and when to retest. 

Dr. Hartley received specialized credentialing in neuropsychology at Naval Hospital Jacksonville, conducted neuropsychological assessments on the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit at the University of Kentucky Hospital, and performs memory and neuropsychological testing in personal injury cases and mitigation evaluations.