What Tests To Undergo If Person Is Having Memory Problem?

Posted on Wed, 11 Dec 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 11 Dec 2013 Answered on

Sun, 29 Dec 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : This question is regarding my father's health. Well he says that he is forgetting things these days. He says that he has a hard time remembering people's name and sometimes he even forgets to do stuff that he is meant to. I would like to know what course of action should i take now? and what screening tests should he undergo so confirm what is the actual problem he is suffering?

Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (23 hours later)

Brief Answer: My reply is below. Detailed Answer: Hi Mr XXXXXXX Thank you for posting your query and informing about your father's health problem. His symptoms are related to mild dysfunction of the brain, which could be due to mild cognitive impairment or early dementia. He needs clinical examination by a neurologist to confirm this. Initial investigations would include 1. Brain scan- CT or MRI brain 2. Serum vitamin B12 level, 3. Thyroid profile. I hope my reply has helped you. I would be pleased to answer, if you have any follow up queries or if you require any further information. Best wishes, Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, For DIRECT QUERY to me: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar My blog: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.com/

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sudhir Kumar (1 hour later)

First of all thank you very much for such a swift and brief reply. Now that i know what screening test my father has to undergo, i would be really grateful if you could point me towards a good neurologist in Bangalore (as it is my current residing city) whom my father can consult regarding his problem as it would be difficult for me to travel to any other city.

Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Thank you for getting back. Detailed Answer: There are quite a few good neurologists and hospitals in Bangalore. Some options are: 1. Dr XXXXXXX Srinivas- Manipal Hospital 2. Dr Guruprasad- Columbia Asia Hospital 3. Dr XXXXXXX Iyer- XXXXXXX Hospital Best wishes, Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar