Neuropsychology

At Ochsner, neuropsychology is a referral-based service. If you believe you need a referral to a neuropsychologist, follow these steps:

1. Speak with your primary care physician, psychiatrist or neurologist about concerns you have for yourself or your loved one.
2. If your physician believes you would benefit from a cognitive evaluation, they will make a referral for a neuropsychological evaluation.
3. Once referred, you will receive a confirmation message from our team. We will contact you for scheduling.

Please be aware that our team is specialized in conducting adult neuropsychological evaluations. We do not treat the following:

• Pediatrics (less than 18 years old)
• Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) evaluations
• Learning disorders (such as dyslexia) evaluations
• Autism evaluations

Families can visit Ochsner Children's Hospital for pediatric services addressing these conditions, where specialized care and evaluations are available for younger patients.

At Ochsner, our neuropsychologists invest time getting to know you well and understanding what makes life meaningful for you.

Before testing, you will spend at least 30 minutes speaking with a neuropsychologist. Following your initial interview, you’ll receive a full cognitive assessment, which includes evaluation of your: 

• Memory
• Language
• Attention
• Visuospatial abilities (the ability to recognize movement, depth and distance between objects)
• Executive functioning (skills that allow you to complete tasks)

The testing is non-invasive and will be conducted one-on-one with a highly trained psychometrist, an expert specializing in performing psychological and neuropsychological tests.

Over a period of one to four hours, you will complete certain tasks and answer questions. There is no need to prepare for an assessment other than to be alert, well rested, take your medications as prescribed, and avoid using substances like alcohol or marijuana before you arrive for your appointment. Bring eyeglasses and hearing aids (if needed), and snacks or beverages to keep you comfortable and engaged during your assessment.

After your neuropsychologist reviews your results, you will have another appointment within about one to two weeks to discuss your evaluation. You and your neuropsychologist will develop a care plan based on your goals and assessment results. You and your caregivers can request practical ideas that help you navigate cognitive or behavioral challenges at work or home. 

If you require further neuropsychological care, we stay in touch to arrange follow-up appointments and be a compassionate resource to you and your family.

Ochsner Neuroscience is also integrated with these other services to ensure you receive the full spectrum of care that you need including but not limited to:

• Huntington’s Disease Clinic at Ochsner
• Neurology
• Neurosurgery
• Ochsner Neuroscience Institute
• Older Adult Memory Care Clinic at Ochsner
• Physical therapy
• Psychiatry
• Therapy and Wellness

We pair patients and caregivers with social workers and care navigators who lead them to organizations and local resources that can lend help.

Our board-certified and board-eligible fellowship-trained neuropsychologists are nationally known for their work in clinical research, patient care models and professional service. Ochsner hosts a two-year postdoctoral fellowship that is the only clinical neuropsychology program in the region.

Our neuropsychologists work closely with other teams that have the knowledge and experience to treat many brain and nervous system disorders, including but not limited to:

• Alzheimer’s disease
• Epilepsy
• Huntington’s disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Parkinson’s disease
• Stroke
• Traumatic brain injury

A neuropsychologist is a psychologist who completed specialty training in cognitive assessment and brain behavior relationships. Psychologists also perform evaluations, but typically for behavioral health conditions, whereas neuropsychologists evaluate individuals with neurological disorders. Psychologists conduct therapy/counseling while neuropsychologists usually do not.

Neuropsychologists can also sometimes be confused with psychiatrists or neuropsychiatrists. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who treat behavioral health conditions. Importantly, psychiatrists prescribe medication whereas neuropsychologists do not.

A neuropsychological evaluation is an assessment of how a person’s brain functions. It examines areas such as memory, attention, problem-solving, reasoning, language, and emotional well-being. These tests help identify changes in thinking abilities that brain injuries, illnesses, or other medical conditions may cause.

Your physician may recommend a neuropsychological evaluation if you have experienced changes in memory, language, personality, or other mental functions. Common reasons include brain injury, stroke, neurological conditions, or concerns about how your health is affecting your ability to think, work, or manage daily activities.

We specialize in evaluating adults with conditions such as brain injuries, stroke, dementia, movement disorders, and other neurological conditions. These assessments help diagnose and develop effective treatment strategies.