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Consultation and Testing

If you’re having problems thinking clearly, you want an accurate diagnosis. Brain health experts in the Sutter Health network can get to the bottom of your cognitive problems—whether it’s Alzheimer’s, another type of dementia, depression or many others—and help you find effective strategies to improve or better cope with changes.

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Featured Services

  • Lab and Pathology Services
  • Neurodiagnostics
  • Neurological Assessment
  • Neuropsychological Assessment
  • Sleep Evaluation

Receiving an Accurate Diagnosis

If you or a loved one is having problems with your memory or other thinking skills (cognitive skills), the Sutter Health network of Alzheimer’s and brain health specialists can help you determine the cause of the problem. Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia are defined as a loss of memory and other mental abilities severe enough to interfere with normal daily activities.

Alzheimer’s disease, while common in older people, is not the only cause of cognitive impairment. There are other forms of dementia, some of which are much milder than Alzheimer’s. There are also a number of unrelated medical issues that can cause symptoms that look like dementia. Getting an accurate diagnosis is the first step. 

The Diagnostic Process

No single test can determine if a person has Alzheimer’s disease. Our brain health specialists begin with a thorough history and review of your situation and then use a wide range of tools to assess cognitive function and rule out problems that can look like dementia, such as hearing loss and depression. They will also assess for physical issues, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, which can cause vascular changes in the brain and contribute to cognitive changes.

Medical Exam and Laboratory Tests

Your doctor may assess you for cardiovascular conditions such as high blood pressure and stroke, as well as for diabetes, infection, B-12 deficiency, and thyroid, liver and kidney issues. These and other conditions (including Parkinson’s disease, HIV infection, depression and infection) can cause cognitive problems that sometimes look like Alzheimer’s disease. Laboratory tests on blood and urine samples can help to identify or rule out many of these conditions. Brain imaging is also essential early on as part of a thorough diagnosis.

Neurological Assessment

A neurological examination helps determine how well your nervous system is functioning. A doctor will carefully assess your personal history and perform a cognitive screen. The neurological examination assesses speech, strength, sensation, balance, coordination and movement. This involves fairly simple tasks such as moving your eyes, pulling or pushing the doctor's hand or walking a straight line.

Neuropsychological Assessment

Female doctor conducting memory test on elderly female patient

A neuropsychological evaluation includes many parts. The first step involves gathering a comprehensive history using a psychosocial assessment. A psychosocial assessment helps your doctor understand more about your particular circumstances. You may be asked questions about your current living situation, work history, family history, emotional well-being, and social activities and hobbies.

The second step involves neuropsychological tests to evaluate how your brain’s health is affecting your behavior, your ability to carry out daily living tasks, and your ability to think, remember, solve problems, learn and reason. Most of these tests involve tasks such as remembering a list of items, drawing pictures, sorting items and naming objects in pictures. This helps your care team form a diagnosis and treatment recommendations.

Imaging Exams and Neurodiagnostics

Imaging scans of the brain can help your doctor diagnose some causes of cognitive impairment, such as a tumor, stroke, a neuro-degenerative process, head trauma and others. An MRI scan is usually the first choice of exam; other options are CT and PET scans.

Additional tests may include:

  • Laboratory evaluations such as blood work.
  • A sleep evaluation to identify problems such as sleep apnea or breathing problems that can affect cognitive function.
  • A nutritional assessment to assess your diet and see where adjustments can be made that might boost your energy, improve strength, or lower your blood sugar, cholesterol or blood pressure levels.

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Health and Wellness

Your Guide to a Healthy Brain

Your Guide to a Healthy Brain

Get tips on what you can do to keep your brain functioning at its best, including ideas for diet, exercise, stress management, medications, sleep and more.

Your Guide to a Healthy Brain Have a healthy brain

Alzheimer's Disease Research

Sutter Health Alzheimer's Disease Research
Alzheimer's disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disease that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, eventually leaving the person without the ability to carry out the simplest tasks of daily living. Estimates vary, but experts suggest that as many as 5 million Americans age 65 and older have Alzheimer's disease. Research works on ways to improve diagnosis and care for Alzheimer’s disease patients, as well as focusing on a way to cure and possibly prevent it.

Sutter Health Alzheimer's Disease Research Sutter Health Alzheimer's Disease Research

Doctor Profiles

The following doctors are part of the Sutter Health network. Learn about the doctors on this site.
Shawn J. Kile, M.D.

Shawn J. Kile, M.D.

  • Neurology

David P. Chesak, M.D.

David P. Chesak, M.D.

  • Neurology

Naveen Kakumanu, M.D.

Naveen Kakumanu, M.D.

  • Geriatric Medicine

Kristina Gestuvo, M.D.

Kristina Gestuvo, M.D.

  • Geriatric Medicine

Michelle Binder Jonelis, M.D.

Michelle Binder Jonelis, M.D.

  • Neurology

Armen J. Moughamian, M.D.

Armen J. Moughamian, M.D.

  • Neurology

Matthew W. Arnold, M.D.

Matthew W. Arnold, M.D.

  • Neurology

Randall R. Starkey, M.D.

Randall R. Starkey, M.D.

  • Neurology

Max B. Duncan, D.O.

Max B. Duncan, D.O.

  • Neurology

View All Related Doctors

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