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 once there is availability.

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

• 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) and 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. Neuropsychology experts are frequently relied on by courts, insurance companies and other third parties to provide reliable information about brain conditions and the impact they have on individuals.

We share information that empowers you to make decisions and anticipate possible adjustments. If your care warrants further neuropsychological monitoring, we stay in touch to arrange follow-up appointments and be a compassionate resource to you and your family.

Neuropsychological tests are completed at one of four Ochsner locations in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Covington. Find a location near you. Some appointments can be performed through virtual visits.

Neuropsychologists at Ochsner help you and your healthcare team understand how various disorders may affect brain functions. You may be referred to one or more subspecialists at Ochsner who understand your condition. 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

Our highly skilled neuropsychologists collaborate with Ochsner subspecialists to provide personalized care tailored to your unique health needs. Together, they offer hope, ongoing treatments, and support services designed for both patients and their caregivers, 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.

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.