Neuropsych Testing, Results and Bredesen Protocol

[Briteandsunnygrl]

Hello.

I hope that I'm posting this in the right place. I'm not very experienced with the site yet and have had some difficulty navigating it at times, probably due to my cognitive issues.

My question regards neuro-psych testing. I'm wondering whether anyone who has had this battery of tests (3-5 hours) for cognitive decline also has any positive experiences of reversal that they would be willing to share, either here or via private message.

I just had my baseline test and I didn't do particularly well, which doesn't surprise me. I'm feeling very frightened and less than hopeful. I'm wondering whether anyone else has undergone this test, then worked with practitioner or followed the Bredesen protocol and experienced improvement upon repeat testing. I know Julie's story but I'm looking for others.

I hope that I'm posting to the right place. If not, I would appreciate it if anyone knows where I should be posting this type of question. Also, I realize that this is a sensitive issue/confidential issue so feel free to DM me. I'm looking for signs and stories of hope right now. I'm very frightened.

Thanks!
Alie

[JD2020]

I'm looking for signs and stories of hope right now. I'm very frightened.

Hi Alie,

Hopefully others with specific experience will respond. In the meantime, have you read this:




I think reading this book would provide hope.

[Briteandsunnygrl]

Thanks. I've read it, but I only found one story of someone who was able to improve their test scores on the neuro-psych exam.

[JennyR]

Welcome Briteandsunnygrl,

As a new Support Team intern, I want to acknowledge your bravery in posting. There is so much content on the site--it can definitely feel overwhelming to navigate and process it all!

You have probably already found the Primer, which has information about the biochemistry of the ApoE4 gene and offers a variety of research-based prevention strategies. The How-to-Guide also provides some helpful tips for navigating the forum, private messaging and searching.

If you haven't already, you may want to look at the Our Stories section of the Forum. There is cause for hope and you are definitely not alone.

If you are interested in working with a Bredesen/ApoE4 aware practitioner, the ApoE4-Aware Healthcare Practitioners link may be a helpful starting point.

Keep us posted.

Warmly,
Jenny

[NF52]

Hello.

I hope that I'm posting this in the right place. I'm not very experienced with the site yet and have had some difficulty navigating it at times, probably due to my cognitive issues.

My question regards neuro-psych testing. I'm wondering whether anyone who has had this battery of tests (3-5 hours) for cognitive decline also has any positive experiences of reversal that they would be willing to share, either here or via private message.

I just had my baseline test and I didn't do particularly well, which doesn't surprise me. I'm feeling very frightened and less than hopeful. I'm wondering whether anyone else has undergone this test, then worked with practitioner or followed the Bredesen protocol and experienced improvement upon repeat testing. I know Julie's story but I'm looking for others.

I hope that I'm posting to the right place. If not, I would appreciate it if anyone knows where I should be posting this type of question. Also, I realize that this is a sensitive issue/confidential issue so feel free to DM me. I'm looking for signs and stories of hope right now. I'm very frightened.

Thanks!
Alie

Hi Alie,
I have had batteries of neuropsych tests lots of times, as a participant in clinical trials and know a bunch of people who have taken them also. Let me reassure you that nobody thinks they did very well the first time! I've had two neuropsychologists share with me that when they took these tests during their training, they were very anxious and didn't do well on some of them.

First, because it's exhausting to take cognitive tests for 3-5 hours! I've encouraged others who were starting screening for clinical trials to ask (demand) a 5-15 minute break halfway through, to get up, walk around, preferably outside, get a snack and give your brain and cortisol (anxiety) level a break.

Second reason: almost all of these tests are designed to NOT test skills that you learned in school, but to test things you don't do every day to look at speed of thinking, immediate and delayed recall of words, paragraphs, diagrams, faces, etc. Just like tests of IQ, they are designed to be hard enough to give a wide range of scores for most people.

Third reason: We all think we're not doing as well as other people. Every person I've talked to who took these tests was convinced they didn't do well-and most scored "within normal limits" on everything! The norms vary by age and for most tests are fairly broad. Overall scores are usually "composites" made up of several tests, like averaging different sections of an exam. I used to give reading test that might show a student struggles with phonics skills for unknown words and is a little weak on spelling unusual words, yet has good sight vocabulary and great paragraph reading comprehension.. Overall I know she does just fine as a reader--and can be reminded to use a spell-checker when writing and. to look up unfamiliar words using Google or other online dictionaries that can "pronounce" the word. Lots of us need "scaffolding" to be our best; we just have to find the right scaffold.

Now the good news: I've taken these tests enough and read about them to know that in most people there is a "practice effect"--simply taking the same or. very similar test again in 6-12 months means it won't be strange and you'll probably do better. I still draw like a 6 year old, but I have less anxiety about drawing, and my "trend" will be stable in that area.

The neuropsychologist who gave you the tests, or the center where you took them, should be able to sit down with you and discuss in detail what your overall performance looks like and what underlying skills the results test (ex. attention, visual memory, long-term recall of verbal information, etc). They should also be able to tell you about where those scores place you relative to other people your age and to discuss any other observations (like noticing that once you got used to the tests you did better, so early low scores might not be accurate). If you know that you've always been a little weak with certain types of tasks (lists, faces, math) then you don't have to worry if you had problems with a similar task--for you, that's not a decrease.

I personally know two people who scored in the Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) range on tests like this, and then worked on issues like leaving a very stressful job, treating sleep apnea, having more time to exercise, etc--and then tested within normal ranges within 6-12 months and have maintained those normal levels. I've heard presentations that about 20-30% of people who initially test in the MCI range reverse that over a year or two, often with underlying medical or lifestyle issues addressed.

Being very frightened sounds like the most normal reaction possible in your situation. And also a reason to remind yourself of all you have dealt with and overcome in your life. This is simply another multi-layered issue that has lots of avenues to approach it. You might want to work with a health coach to begin to tackle this just one day and one area at a time. Your brain is wired to be resilient--it's your heart that has to believe in you.

Nancy

[Briteandsunnygrl]

Nancy,

God bless you for answering my question and addressing my concerns with such diligence, detail, expertise and care. Your experience is invaluable to me.

I know that it must have taken you some time to craft your response, so thank you for taking time out of your own busy day to do this. It's an incredible kindness and I will be certain to pay it forward whenever the opportunity arises.

Of course, I hope that you are right about everything as it applies to my own case, but even if it turns out that I did poorly, then I will feel comforted knowing someone cared enough to share their experience and answer my questions.

Be well,
~ Alie