Hello!
Have any of you ever had neuropsych tests during your neurologist's research of your epilepsy?
I went to a neurologist at Yale New Haven Hospital a month ago or so for a second opinion on my seizures, and he said he was going to schedule me for a VEEG, but didn't mention any "neuropsych" tests. I got a call from Yale Neurology on Friday so they could schedule me for Neuropsych tests, ordered by the Neuro I saw... Has anyone with E ever had to go for these kinds of tests? What were the tests like? What is their purpose in epilepsy patients?

Thanks!

i had one a couple of years ago. ill try to remember everything they did. i know they would list like 20 items and i would have to repeat as many of them as i could back to them. and i would have to look at a picture and draw it from memory. then i also took a test w/ letters on a computer or something, i think it is the same test they use for add. and they also show you pictures of things and ask you to name it. just random things like that. it is mostly about memory if i recall correctly.

Thanks, soccerschmee!
It sounds kind of fun! Hehe.
I did a little more research on it and why they would do these tests for people withy Epilepsy, and it seems like they want to test brain function to make sure your seizures and/or AED's aren't affecting your memory, etc. The weird thing is that I thought they would have given me some of these tests at the beginning, and then every 6 months since then to make sure nothing is changing. It seems strange that they wouldn't start this until 7 years after I started taking AED's... Is it really going to tell them anything the first time, or is it more of a comparative thing with more tests in the future?
Is the neurologist going to give me the tests, or a psychologist? I'm just curious if they woiuld discover other disorders through these tests, because I've recently suspected I have ADD and Asperger's... but a neurologist probably wouldn't be as likely to notice if the tests show that I have other non-neurological disorders, correct?

Sentence,

They are going to be giving me test like that also before
the surgery,they told me that it can take 4 to 6 hours,they
didn't tell me about having the test until I was in for the VEEG.

the neuro-psychologist gives the test, not the neuro. and i think it lasts about 3 hrs. hope that helps.

I had my neuro-spych done last year prior to my surgery and it was conducted by a spychiatrist and lasted 6-7 hrs, with a hour lunch break. It consisted of many test such as showing you pictures, having you recall them and remember them for hours.Here and there she pops up questions and catch you off track.. They read you a small story your ask to repeat what you remember of the story, they make you draw pictures they show you quickly, repeat numbers as a sequence, math, some spelling, picture naming, and much more. They test your finger movements by puching a botton for minutes without stopping and lots of more things. You sort of graded and compared to averaged age people (non E), so after getting my results I was under average :( This month I have my 1 year post surgery neuro-spych again on the 29th, and I know Ill do better. There are sites with sample of these test that I used, and games that expand your mentaly and strengthen your thinking, so search them up. I wish you you the best during the test. Rest plenty the nigh before and bring lunch with you. It will be exhausting.. Keep us posted
Laura

Thanks for the info, everyone!
I think it's weird that he's having me have these tests that only people who are considering surgery seem to have. Because I'm not considering surgery, and I told him that. Weird.

I dont think is weird because you said you had seizures for more than 14 yrs right? they also conduct this test to check your memory lost, your short and long term memory and it helps them to see how much damamged the spells have caused and where.. I think is a great idea, and you should get it done for you. I felt actually sad to think my memory was so bad before surgery and Im looking forward this month's follow up test to see the difference and improvement, you will be ok.. Let us know how it goes
Laura

I'm glad this thread came up because my dr. has been bugging me to get one of these tests for months, and I've been hesitant to do this. Aside from testing memory/cognitive function (which I'm definitely having some issues with), I'm under the impression that this also tests for depression and IQ. Is that true? I just don't see the need for the other stuff.

I'm glad this thread came up because my dr. has been bugging me to get one of these tests for months, and I've been hesitant to do this. Aside from testing memory/cognitive function (which I'm definitely having some issues with), I'm under the impression that this also tests for depression and IQ. Is that true? I just don't see the need for the other stuff.

yes it does test for IQ in a way cause they compare results with average people, and depression is also check during the 45 minutes of questions regarding your life, past, present, family, issues, health and more. In my report she discribed all my positive attitutes, timing, my daily routings, hobbies, and other things regarding my life even family connections. Its very helpful...

Yeah, I think the doctor may have ordered the neuropsych tests because I think I may have mentioned to him that I often find myself having trouble thinking of the words I want to say when I'm speaking.
I'm kind of looking forward to the test. It kind of sounds fun. I'm weird like that. lol.

It does sound fun. I'm not having any depression issues or anything like that. I guess I just don't want to find out the IQ portion. I'd like to think I'm doing ok in that department and afraid I'll find out otherwise, lol. Maybe I'll just go ahead and take the test anyway. Thanks.

Hi Sentence,

You say that you think the doctor may have ordered this test
because of issues with word find,I have that problem too,I have
had epilepsy for many years and just started having problems
with word find about 5 years ago.I have read on other sites that
word find (that is what they call it) can be a problem with E.
Good-luck with your test.

I've also read that Tegretol causes a lot of memory problems and problems with word find. Hopefully it's just the Tegretol causing these problems and not the seizures. I'm looking to change my meds from Tegretol anyway.

I too hope it is just the Tegretol for you,but,I am sorry to say that
I had been on tegretol for 30 years without any problems like that
before.The problems hit me after I got older and at first thought it
was maybe menopause,but,my family said they never had memory
or word find problems like that,so I talked to neuro. about and read
up on it and is when I come to the conclusion it is the seizures that
has caused my problems.I guess we both will find out more about it
after taking our test.Let us know how your test goes.
Good-luck and take care,Sherri

Hi Sherri,
How did your Neuropsych tests go today?
It took me 6 hours... my brain is tired. ;) I think I did pretty well, though I felt stupid with some of those trivia type questions the doctor asked. And with the math I had to do in my head. Ack!
And I kept inverting the shapes in the test where I had to draw all the shapes she showed me on the cards, which she seemed to find interesting...
Anyway, I have to wait 2-4 weeks for my results. Urg.
Hope yours went well...