My sister and I are not convinced that examination was sufficiently thorough. To exemplify this, when she arrived at the hospital, the first neurologist examined her and said "she's fine, she can go home" ... they would not have even found the "abnormal discharge" (appears to be evidence of seizure activity) had we not pushed for the long-term EEG.
I believe electrolytes were part of the bloodwork, but I will double-check. I'm unfamiliar with NPH. A quick search seems to be a potentially good match for her symptom set. Though wouldn't that condition show on an MRI?
Re: hospital delirium, we've considered that this could be a factor. We'll need to explore this more as well.
So, you say your mom passed a brief cognitive assessment.
The real "proof of the pudding" is in the neuropsych testing, which looks more fully at insight, ability to work with facts and problem solving.
My mom's workup was done at Burke Foundation, in White Plains. Neurologist, neuropsych, psychiatric nurse practioner and brain imaging. The MRI showed a previously undetected stroke--mom had had NUMEROUS MRIs in the past, but apparently, some strokes don't show up right away.
The Barlow Center at NYU has very much the same protocol as Burke. Dr. Masukar is a caring and talented doc.
Thanks Barb. This info is very helpful. Our family all lives on the outskirts of NYC, not far from either. Was this a treatable situation for your mom?
It sounds like you recommend Dr Masukar at Barlow over Burke?
My mom passed her initial cognitive test in May with flying colors. Today she doesn't know much of what is going on. Her decline was extremely rapid over the last two weeks.
Within the last two weeks she had an MRI, MRI w/ contrast and Lumbar Puncture. Some findings in the LP seems consistent with Alzheimers. However, I'm not sure whether any underlying causes that may not have been investigated can cause such a result. We are still waiting for some additional results from the LP (aka spinal tap.)
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Has anyone looked at her electrolytes? Rules out non-pressure hydrocephalus? Hospital deledelerium?
There is no "treatment" for dementia. It's progressive, speed depending upon the type.
Mom had vascular dementia from a stroke. She died not quite 4 1/2 years after the stroke.
My sister and I are not convinced that examination was sufficiently thorough. To exemplify this, when she arrived at the hospital, the first neurologist examined her and said "she's fine, she can go home" ... they would not have even found the "abnormal discharge" (appears to be evidence of seizure activity) had we not pushed for the long-term EEG.
I believe electrolytes were part of the bloodwork, but I will double-check. I'm unfamiliar with NPH. A quick search seems to be a potentially good match for her symptom set. Though wouldn't that condition show on an MRI?
Re: hospital delirium, we've considered that this could be a factor. We'll need to explore this more as well.
Thanks for the helpful info.
The real "proof of the pudding" is in the neuropsych testing, which looks more fully at insight, ability to work with facts and problem solving.
My mom's workup was done at Burke Foundation, in White Plains. Neurologist, neuropsych, psychiatric nurse practioner and brain imaging. The MRI showed a previously undetected stroke--mom had had NUMEROUS MRIs in the past, but apparently, some strokes don't show up right away.
The Barlow Center at NYU has very much the same protocol as Burke. Dr. Masukar is a caring and talented doc.
It sounds like you recommend Dr Masukar at Barlow over Burke?
My mom passed her initial cognitive test in May with flying colors. Today she doesn't know much of what is going on. Her decline was extremely rapid over the last two weeks.
Within the last two weeks she had an MRI, MRI w/ contrast and Lumbar Puncture. Some findings in the LP seems consistent with Alzheimers. However, I'm not sure whether any underlying causes that may not have been investigated can cause such a result. We are still waiting for some additional results from the LP (aka spinal tap.)
They also did find "abnormal discharge" via EEG.
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