Cognition is your brain’s ability to process all the information it takes in from your senses. It is a combination of processes in your brain that's involved in almost every aspect of your life. Cognition includes thinking, memory, understanding and using language, judgment, reasoning, paying attention, making decisions, and the ability to learn new things. A problem with cognition is called cognitive impairment. The condition ranges from mild to severe.
Cognitive Testing
Taking a cognitive test and learning the results can be overwhelming. That is especially true if you end up with a poor score. Knowing your score is where everything begins. You’ll need more testing to get more information on your diagnosis. You can perform some of the most reliable cognitive testing Sydney has to offer precisely at Neurology New South Wales. If more testing shows signs of mild cognitive impairment or early dementia, lifestyle actions can be started to prevent decline. It also gives you and your family time to understand what to expect in the years ahead and prepare for future needs. No need to look for dementia specialists Sydney-wide. Our expert team of dementia therapy specialists is here to help, providing support and information, and discussing treatment options that suits each patient and family. Our multidisciplinary team of trained neurologist professionals work together to determine the exact cause of your impairment and advise you and your family on the best treatment plan for your specific condition.
Cognitive tests are usually done if there’s a suspicion of mental decline or impairment. You may have noticed such a decline yourself or a close friend or family member may have started suspecting on one. Cognitive screening tests are simple, quick, basic tests. They help reveal if there’s a problem in some aspect of your cognition.
Mild Cognitive Impairment
Cognitive impairment means you have a problem with processing thoughts. Mild cognitive impairment means you have a problem with mental function but it’s not severe enough to affect your daily functioning.
Symptoms of mild cognitive impairment include:
Frequently misplacing items
Losing your focus
Repeating questions
Forgetting appointments or planned events
Trouble understanding written or verbal information
Trouble coming up with the desired words
Common Cognitive Screening Tests
Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) — includes memorizing a short list of words, naming objects shown in pictures, copying shapes and performing other tasks.
Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) — includes counting backward, identifying objects in the room, stating the date and other common, well-known facts.
Mini-Cog — includes memorizing and recalling a three-word list of unrelated words and drawing a circle clock — adding all time points, then drawing hands to show a specific time.
Possible causes of memory loss and cognitive impairment include:
Stroke
Long-term seizures
Multiple sclerosis
Brain infection
Certain drugs, including long-term alcohol use
Age-related changes in memory
Mild cognitive impairment
Dementia or Alzheimer’s disease
Cognitive testing can't show the specific cause of impairment. But testing can help your provider find out if you need more tests and/or take steps to address the problem.