COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY OR COMPUTER ASSISTED TOMOGRAPHYT—CT OR
CAT SCAN. This test uses x-rays and computers to create multi-dimensional images of selected body
parts. Dye may be injected into a patient’s vein to obtain a clearer view. This test is painless.
MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING
(MRI). An MRI is an advanced way of taking pictures of your body. It is harmless and
involves magnetic fields and radio waves. It is performed while the patient is lying in a chamber and takes about 30 to 45 minutes. It is pain free. It
makes a lot of noise and some people get claustrophobic in the machine, although the new machines leave room for the patient to see the outside. There are also open MRI’s if
you are claustrophobic. Sometimes dye is injected for this test too. Again it is pain free.
CAROTID ARTERY DOPPLERS OR
NEUROSONOLOGY. A microphone is put next to your neck to listen to the blood flow and view the blood vessels
in your neck. It is painless. It is used to see if there is plaque or cholesterol build up in your neck that could cause a
stroke.
TRANSCRANIAL DOPPLERS OR
NEUROSONOLOGY. This test uses sound waves to measure the blood flow in the vessels of the
brain. A microphone is used to “view” and listen to your blood flow. It is painless.
ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAM—EEG. An EMG measures and records electrical activity
of your brain. Electrodes are attached to your head with paste and the machine monitors your brain activity and brain waves. This test is used a lot
for epilepsy and cerebrovascular disorders. It is painless.
ELECTROMYOGRAM—EMG.
An EMG measures and records electrical activity in the muscles and nerves. This may be helpful in determining the cause of pain,
numbness, tingling or weakness in the muscles and nerves. Small needles are inserted into the muscles and mild electrical shocks are given to stimulate the nerve.This is often
called a nerve conduction study. Some discomfort may be associated with this test. It is short bursts of electricity and is often likened to static
electricity.
SLEEP STUDIES.
These tests are used to diagnose specific causes of sleep problems. To perform these tests it is often necessary for the
patient to spend the night in the hospital laboratory. Brain wave activity, heart rate, electrical activity of the heart, breathing, and oxygen in the bold are all
measured during the sleep test. These tests are painless.
CEREGROSPINAL FLUID ANALYSIS –SPINAL TAP OR LUMBAR
PUNCTURE. This test is used to check for bleeding, hemorrhage, infection or other disorders of the brain, spinal
cord and nerves. In this test, the lower back in numbed with a local anesthesia and then a very thin needle is placed into the space that contains the spinal
fluid. The amount of spinal fluid that is needed for the tests is removed and the needle is withdrawn. Some discomfort may be associated with this
test.
ELECTRONYSTAGMOGRAPHY. This test aids in the diagnosis of patients with dizziness,
vertigo, balance and gait problems causing falling and not walking correctly. Various tests are done to try to induce your dizziness so it can be traced to where in the brain it is
occurring. Some discomfort may be felt if the test makes you dizzy or nauseous.
What is the MindStreams® test?
Newton Neurology Associates is the only Neurology practice in our geographic region working with Neurotrax and doing the MindStreams®
test.
This test is one/two hour
test using a computer and a tester. It is the newest and best test we have found of memory, decision making, verbal ability, motor ability, attention ability,
information processing speed, and visual spatial perception.
MindStreams® can be used for both children
and adults for illnesses such as ADD, ADHD Alzheimers, MS, etc. This test helps more quickly treat diagnose you current situation and develop an optimal treatment.
For more information about the MindStreams® test, please visit the
following link.
Click here to visit MindStreams(R) by
Neurotrax
MindStreams® provides accuracy far superior to paper-based tests. This added precision allows you to detect even very mild
cognitive impairment, enabling early intervention. MindStreams® research has been clinically validated by 138 total publications of which 84 are unique, and 28 of those are full length
peer-reviewed research articles involving a total of over 3,500 patients to date. No other computerized diagnostic tool has as much clinical scientific substantiation.
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