The Role of Neuropsychology in the Assessment of the Cognitively Impaired Elderly

Cognitive abilities decline with age and older adults, as a group, are at increased risk for developing age-related cognitive disorders. Neuropsychological evaluation provides objective quantification of the type and severity of cognitive deficits that can affect the elderly population and elucidates a pattern of scores that provides diagnostic clues regarding etiology. It can also detect mild cognitive impairment that may not be evident on bedside assessment or mental status examination and provides critical information regarding the progression of cognitive changes through serial evaluations. Such information assists in counseling patients and family members and can guide therapeutic decisions.