Primary brain tumors have a significant potential for impact on cognition and emotional functioning. The Ohio State Neuropsychology Service works closely with Ohio State Neuro-Oncology at the Ohio State Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute to establish a cognitive baseline prior to surgery or other cancer treatments; evaluate for cognitive decline over time; and/or offer patient-specific treatment recommendations to improve daily functioning, safety and quality of life.

Adults with other forms of cancer can also develop cognitive changes related to systemic effects of cancer, side effects of cancer treatments and/or co-occurring medical conditions. Our neuropsychologists work with these individuals to identify risk factors that may impact their cognition and to offer specific recommendations for promoting everyday functioning.  

 

The Ohio State Neuropsychology Service receives referrals from the Ohio State Epilepsy Clinic to help monitor for cognitive changes that can occur secondary to epilepsy and status epilepticus. Additionally, the Ohio State neuropsychologists serve as part of a transdisciplinary team that includes neurologists, neurosurgeons, a neuro-radiologist and others to help determine eligibility for surgical intervention to help reduce or stop severe seizure disorders.

With conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, early identification is key to timely intervention. The Ohio State Neuropsychology Service works with faculty in the Ohio State Center for Cognitive and Memory Disorders to provide detailed information regarding cognitive, emotional and behavioral functioning among adults with progressive cognitive decline. Those evaluations help by informing differential diagnosis, disease progression, treatment response and capacity for independent living.

Movement disorders represent a range of conditions, including Parkinson’s disease and Parkinson-Plus conditions, Huntington’s disease, essential tremor and dystonia. The Ohio State Neuropsychology Service routinely evaluates adults with these conditions to monitor for cognitive changes and associated functional decline in an effort to inform treatment recommendations. Our team also routinely assists faculty in the Ohio State Center for Neuromodulation with surgical determination and monitoring of postoperative recovery.

Multiple sclerosis and other related diseases can pose an array of challenges to patients, spanning physical, emotional and cognitive domains. The Ohio State Neuropsychology Service regularly receives referrals from the Ohio State Multiple Sclerosis Clinic for baseline and serial assessments to monitor for longitudinal changes in response to disease activity and changes in treatment regimen and to inform capacity for independent living.

The Ohio State Neuropsychology Service collaborates with Ohio State Sports Medicine to provide assessments for athletes who have sustained a concussion and are not recovering as expected. Assessment goals are primarily to identify risk factors limiting normal recovery and to provide recommendations that help athletes return to play as quickly and safely as possible. 

The Ohio State Neuropsychology Service regularly assists the Ohio State Comprehensive Transplant Center with determining surgical eligibility based on potential cognitive, emotional and behavioral risk factors that can interfere with knowledge regarding the potential risks and benefits or with treatment compliance/adherence. Neuropsychology works closely with patients to identify ways they might overcome potential barriers, when present, so that they can become eligible for organ transplantation. Neuropsychology also works with transplant recipients to rule out cognitive changes that may have occurred secondary to postoperative complications and to offer treatment recommendations to boost their everyday functioning.