Who needs a checkup?

Many checkups of other parts of the body are carried out regularly, regardless of whether there are any issues. However, typically the brain is only examined if there is a specific reason to do so, such as:

• Craniocerebral trauma
• Neurosurgical intervention
• Transferred infection of the central nervous system (meningitis, encephalitis, polio, rabies, tetanus, etc.) or toxic lesions
• Hereditary predisposition to neurodegenerative diseases
• Headaches of a different nature, not related to the emotional background or load
• Persistent dizziness, changes in gait, and difficulty moving around
• Impaired consciousness, memory, attention, and other cognitive functions

Brain health is also affected by various chronic diseases such as hypertension, systemic atherosclerosis, and diabetes. These can cause vascular foci, seen on brain MRIs as "scars" due to impaired blood flow in small vessels.

How it is tested

First of all, instrumental methods are used to assess brain function.

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): the most informative method. It allows for the visualization of brain structures, detecting tumors and developmental anomalies, and assessing the consequences of injuries and strokes.
• Computed tomography (CT): Used to diagnose structural changes such as hemorrhages, tumors, and damage to the bones of the skull.
• Electroencephalography (EEG): records the brain's electrical activity and helps to assess the effectiveness of therapy and diagnose some types of sleep disorders. EEG is often used in neurology and psychiatry.
• Positron emission tomography (PET): allows the metabolic activity of the brain to be assessed. Areas of increased or decreased activity can be identified, which is important for diagnosing Alzheimer's or Parkinson's diseases.
• Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive method that can stimulate specific brain areas and evaluate their response. It is used to both diagnose and treat certain neurological and psychiatric disorders.

Various blood tests, from vitamin tests to genetic studies that indirectly indicate possible problems, are also helpful in diagnosis.

Cognitive functions of the brain can be checked with the neuropsychological tests MMSE and MOCA.They help detect memory disorders, attention, information processing speed, speech, and logical abilities.

While there is no mandatory brain scan, a comprehensive examination is available if desired:

• MRI or CT scan to evaluate brain structure using contrast enhancement
• Examination by a neurologist for objective assessment of neurologic status
• Laboratory tests to rule out metabolic disorders
• Neuropsychological tests to assess cognitive function

These tests will help to identify possible precursors to certain problems or to determine the underlying cause of existing cognitive impairment.

24 February 2025