Assessing cognitive function is crucial for treating physical and psychological illnesses. Tests measure brain function, including memory, attention, and consciousness. Cognitive dysfunction is a symptom of mental illness or physical brain injury. Mental status exams are common tests, and general intelligence tests can also be used. Chemical tests can provide additional insight. Warning signs of cognitive dysfunction include memory loss and personality changes. Treatment can range from supplements to therapy.
Assessment of cognitive function is critical to understanding and treating a variety of physical and psychological illnesses. In general, written or orally administered tests are used to measure various aspects of an individual’s brain function. These exams can be tests of general intelligence or measures specifically designed to test cognitive function such as the Cognitive Functioning Level Scale. During cognitive measurements, factors such as memory, attention span and level of consciousness are considered.
An impaired state of cognitive function – or rational thinking and brain function – is a key indicator of mental illness or physical brain injury in many regions. In the United States, for example, a number of mental disorders are listed with cognitive dysfunction as a symptom in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM. Additionally, various physical injuries such as traumatic brain injury or brain diseases such as dementia can impair an individual’s mind. Familiarity with the normal functioning of the brain and mind is essential for detecting any abnormalities.
Rating scales called mental status exams are perhaps the most common type of functioning tests. These tests usually consist of a series of questions that the doctor asks the patient. Questions can measure awareness, memory, problem solving, or other aspects of mental and cognitive health. The patient may also be asked to perform certain tasks that will assess fine motor skills, analytical skills, or other similar characteristics.
These questions can be grouped into categories like the ones mentioned above. The groupings can help determine if the problems are limited to certain cognitive areas or if the dysfunction affects the entire spectrum of brain activity and thinking. Patients are typically ranked on a numerical scale for each question. All responses are then combined to provide an individual’s placement along a spectrum from high to low cognitive function. The Cognitive Functioning Level Scale is one such test example.
Medical professionals can also use tests of general intelligence to gain a broad understanding of potential cognitive dysfunction, as these tests measure many of the same variables as tests designed specifically for cognitive decline. Using these types of tests would require a comparison of scores from an older test with scores from the newer test. Any other influences on outcomes, such as age-related natural cognitive decline, should be taken into consideration when evaluating outcomes.
Chemical tests can provide additional insight into cognitive functioning. Vitamins, stress hormones, and thyroid gland secretions can impact mental awareness. Experimenting with such substances can therefore be beneficial. Many physical illnesses can affect these chemical levels.
When an individual shows signs of potential cognitive dysfunction, they are usually referred to a neurologist, psychiatrist, or other specialist. Warning signs include the following: memory loss, decreased analytical or problem-solving skills, radical personality changes, slurred speech, and decreased awareness or alertness. Once damage has been determined, the next step is to discover the source of the disturbances. Treatment protocols can therefore range from dietary supplements to behavioral therapy.
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