Unlocking Minds, Unleashing Potential

Infections

The findings contribute to a growing body of evidence suggesting that infections in mid- and late-life can detrimentally impact cognitive performance and potentially heighten the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Viral infections affecting the central nervous system directly or as an indirect consequence of systemic infections not typically causing CNS infection (e.g. cytokine storm, neuro-inflammation, hypercoagulability) could result in cognitive impairment.

Cognitive impairment may be caused by viral infections associated with direct invasion of the central nervous system or as an indirect effect of systemic infections not typically causing CNS infection (e.g. cytokine storm, neuro-inflammation, hypercoagulability).

Gilles De La Tourette

Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a neurodevelopmental condition that becomes apparent during early childhood or adolescence. It is part of the spectrum of Tic Disorders and is defined by motor and vocal tics. Generally, subtle cognitive shifts have been identified in tasks involving verbal fluency, planning, attention shifting, working memory, cognitive flexibility, and social reasoning. Some scholars argue that uncomplicated TS is linked with mild deficits in tasks related to inhibitory processes.

Apnea

Numerous studies indicate that individuals suffering from OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea) consistently display deficiencies in cognitive areas encompassing attention, episodic and verbal memory, as well as executive functions.

Obesity

There is increasing evidence that obesity can impair the central nervous system, with an emphasis on cognitive function, attention, executive function, decision making, and verbal learning.

Other diseases that may be affecting your brain: Obesity, Epilepsy, Apnea, Diabetes, Gilles De La Tourette, Infections, etc.

Diabetes: a systematic review found that individuals with type 1 diabetes had impaired cognitive function across broad categories including visual-spatial ability and memory. For adults and adolescents with type 1 diabetes, studies have also shown elevated rates of pain.

Epilepsy: Memory issues and other skills associated with thinking can become difficult when epilepsy is not controlled via medication. Depending on the type and location of the seizure, this will affect the associated thinking difficulties. 

Obesity: There is increasing evidence that obesity can impair the central nervous system, with an emphasis on cognitive function, attention, executive function, decision making, and verbal learning. 

Apnea: Numerous studies indicate that individuals suffering from OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea) consistently display deficiencies in cognitive areas encompassing attention, episodic and verbal memory, as well as executive functions.

Gilles De La Tourette: Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a neurodevelopmental condition that becomes apparent during early childhood or adolescence. It is part of the spectrum of Tic Disorders and is defined by motor and vocal tics. Generally, subtle cognitive shifts have been identified in tasks involving verbal fluency, planning, attention shifting, working memory, cognitive flexibility, and social reasoning. Some scholars argue that uncomplicated TS is linked with mild deficits in tasks related to inhibitory processes.

Infections: The findings contribute to a growing body of evidence suggesting that infections in mid- and late-life can detrimentally impact cognitive performance and potentially heighten the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Viral infections affecting the central nervous system directly or as an indirect consequence of systemic infections not typically causing CNS infection (e.g. cytokine storm, neuro-inflammation, hypercoagulability) could result in cognitive impairment.

Cognitive impairment may be caused by viral infections associated with direct invasion of the central nervous system or as an indirect effect of systemic infections not typically causing CNS infection (e.g. cytokine storm, neuro-inflammation, hypercoagulability).

Slow acquisition of academic skills:

Delays in intellectual development and intellectual disabilities encompass specific cognitive challenges resulting in a low intelligence quotient (IQ) score and significant impediments in adapting to new situations, such as socializing or taking tests. It becomes harder for them to grasp and apply new information effectively. While some cognitive disabilities may fall under the umbrella term “intellectual disabilities”, not all intellectual disabilities are classified as cognitive disabilities. Cognitive disabilities can encompass learning disabilities like dyslexia and ADHD.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or problems in school:

In general, research consistently indicates that individuals diagnosed with ADHD exhibit deficiencies in the following cognitive and neuropsychological domains: Working memory, reaction time, and response inhibition/impulse control.

Exposure to poisons, chemicals, or pollution that can cause brain damage:

Exposure to lead can manifest as a variety of neuropsychological problems including delayed language or motor milestones, poor speech articulation, difficulties in language understanding or usage, challenges in attention maintenance, high activity levels (hyperactivity), problems in learning and retaining new information, rigid and inflexible problem-solving abilities, delayed general intellectual abilities, learning difficulties in school (reading, language, math, writing), and problems in controlling behavior (e.g., aggression, impulsivity).

A history of drug or alcohol abuse that may have affected your brain:

Post-initiation of substance use, both alcohol and marijuana use have been associated with decreased cognitive functioning across various domains, including verbal memory, visuospatial functioning, working memory, psychomotor speed, cognitive control, attention, cognitive control, and overall IQ.

Learning Disabilities: We diagnose specific types of learning disabilities and develop personalized treatment plans.

A comprehensive neuropsychological assessment can provide a comprehensive evaluation of the specific functions typically involved in learning disabilities, such as auditory-linguistic abilities, visual abilities, memory, processing speed, cognitive efficiency, and reasoning.

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Our assessments help determine the extent of impairment and how they affect reasoning and problem-solving skills

TBI-Traumatic Brain Injury is usually the result of a violent blow or jolt to the head. An object penetrating the skull, such as a bullet, also can cause TBI. It may take days or weeks following an injury for symptoms of TBI to appear. The symptoms can vary depending upon the severity of the injury. Most common causes of TBI are accidents, including car accidents, falls, falling objects, sports and other. The most common outcomes following a TBI are impairments in memory, working memory, attention-concentration, processing speed, and executive functions. Other disorders include mood disorders, anxiety, and behavioral changes.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Autism is a profound, lifelong developmental disorder that significantly affects functioning across various domains.

Autism can affect social behavior, language, sensory function, and ritualistic/repetitive behaviors and interests. Neuropsychological assessment offers a deep analysis of cognitive functioning in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Those on the autistic spectrum often experience heightened anxiety and frequently contend with comorbidities that impact their overall quality of life.

Dyslexia: Our team provides resources and extensive plans for those born with Dyslexia to improve everyday life.

The primary manifestations of dyslexia are observed in the cognitive and linguistic domains, including visual processing, auditory processing, speech discrimination, auditory and phonological memory, knowledge of letters, prosody, executive functions, rapid automatic naming, and phonological knowledge.

Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia: Our evaluations provide a baseline to track disease progression and decreased function.

Alzheimer’s Disease is a neurodegenerative disease, progressive, irreversible, and the cause of 70% of the cases of Dementia. This brain disease usually starts slowly and gets worse over time. Main symptoms include memory loss, thinking and reasoning difficulties, impairment of judge and making decisions, planning, language, praxis, and the ability to perform normal activities. It also includes personality and behavioral changes. Among the emotional features, this disorder presents with depression, anxiety and even psychosis.

Parkinson’s Disease (PD): Our evaluations provide a baseline to track disease progression and decreased function

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused mainly by lack of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter involved in movement, motivation, memory, and other functions; its level is decreased in PD brain because of dopaminergic cell death. Nonmotor sypmtoms of Parkinson’s Disease include mild cognitive impairment and dementia, difficulties with speaking, depth perception confusion, and memory impairment. Patients also present with anhedonia and depression, among other emotional problems.

Stroke: We assess the impact of strokes on behavior, thinking, memory, and other brain functions.

A Stroke is a neurological disorder characterized by blockage of blood vessels and it is the second leading cause of death and a major contributor to disability. The most common non-cognitive functional neuropsychiatric disorders seen after stroke are depressive and anxiety, PTSD, withdrawal, and psychosis. The most common cognitive disorders after stroke include Language disorders such as aphasia, neglect, agnosia, memory loss, difficulty thinking and others. Other outcomes following a stroke are numbness, trouble walking, trouble speaking or swallowing, trouble seeing correctly.