Neuropsychology
Service and Memory Disorder Clinic
Main office; Gainesville 2121 NW 40th Terr. Ste B, Gainesville,
FL 32605 CPANCF.COM
Executive Director:
Clinical
and Forensic Neuropsychology
Our neuropsychology service encompasses a range of neuropsychological assessment service
types. The memory disorder clinic is geared toward assessment of mild cognitive impairment or questions of
early stage dementia.
Memory problems may be related to possible normal aging, early or senile onset dementia, and may be related to medical conditions. DSM-5
now refers to dementia as either a mild or major neurocognitive disorder depending on the level of functional impairment in
daily adult independent living. Mild neurocognitive impairment is also a term often used for early memory loss. Early diagnosis
and treatment interventions can be helpful is reducing the rate of loss and quality of life.
Neurocognitive disorders
in DSM-5 are primarly defined as acquired disorders wheras neurodevelopmental disorder occure at birth or early infancy. Neurocognitiv
disorders involve a decline from a previous
level of functioning. Formal neuropsychological testing is often the most sensitive measure as it can contrast obtained memory
scores with expecations based on a persons native intelligence, age and education. Simply comparing with age norms can miss
significant memory disorders in well-education or individuals of above average intelligance.
Neurocognitive
disorders can be caused by various conditions that affect the brain, such as:
-
Alzheimer's disease
- Vascular disease
and strokes
- Traumatic brain
injury
- Lewy body disease
- Parkinson's disease
- Frontotemporal degeneration
- Prion disease
-
HIV infection
- Substance/medication
use
- Huntington's disease
- Another medical condition
You
can find more information about the diagnostic criteria and features of neurocognitive disorders in the DSM-5¹ or in
these online resources²³⁴.
We are a private clinic offering neuropsychological assessments which should be done
in conjuction with assessment by a neurologist or other medical specialist.
Due to the comprehensive, time intensive
approach we take to neuropsychological assessments, Clinical Psychology Associates of North Central
Florida only provides private fee-for service neuropsychological evaluations. We no longer accept Medicare patients
or participate in any insurance plans. For those who wish to bill their insurance for out of network benefits, we will
provide a superbill which can be attached to our claim for any benefits available under your plan. While we do not participate
with Medicare we strongly recommend seniors stick with a traditional Medicare plan with a good supplement. To put it bluntly, stay the hell away
from any Medicare "Advantage" Plans.
Clinical Psychology Associates of North Central Flodida still serves seniors in cases involved in
litigation, seeking disability, assessing competency, or involving accidents with pending claims. We accept these
cases only by direct contract as part of an IME, CME, or by contract with attorneys involved in the case.
Our forensic neuropsychology services
are not billable to health insurance and are normally arranged for by your attorney, a disability carrier, as a neuropsychological
Compulsory Medical Evalation or by the court. If you are involved in a motor vehicle accident, this must be arranged
diractly by the auto insurance carrier or your attorney.
Our Pediatric Neuropsychology - service involves evaluation of children and young adults who may have developmental or acquired learning and memory problems.
We conduct assessments of memory in our evaluations of Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivty Disorder (ADHD), and Learning Disabilities for children, adolescents, and adults.
Help for Memory Problems - Memory Strategies
Here are some resources that you can use to learn more about memory disorders:
- The National Institute on Aging
has a webpage that explains what memory loss is, what causes it, how it is diagnosed and treated, and how to cope with it:
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/memory-loss
- The Alzheimer’s Association has a webpage that provides information on different types
of dementia, their symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention: https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-dementia
- Clinical Psychology Associates of North Central Florida
(CPANCF.COM) has a webpage that has information about neuropsychological assessment services for memory disorders and other
cognitive impairments: http://cpancf.com/neuropsychological_assessment.asp
Visit our
Clinical Psychology Associates of North Central Florida Memory Help Page websites, for strategies to help wiht memory, readings and computer-based programs.
Memory Strategies is a good resource authored by Larry Kubiak, Ph.D.
Check our
Resources for Dementia Caregivers
Want to fax us a referral? Neuropsychological Assessment Referral Form (Word) (.pdf version)
The National
Institute on Aging (NIA) explains the diagnosis and assessment of cognitive impairment in older patients, including tools
and guidelines: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/assessing-cognitive-impairment-older-patients The NIA webpage for professionaw provides resources for neurologists and neuropsychologists who assess for Alzheimer's
Disease, Frontotemporal Dementia, Neurovascular Dementia and other dementias includes cognitive assessment tests, professional
materials, and patient and caregiver education: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-dementia-resources-for-professionals
For a list of Florida Dept. of Elder Affairs Memory Disorder Clinics click here
Alzheimer's Organization List of 10 Warning Signs
