How is amnesia diagnosed?

How is amnesia diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider may assess your memory through talking with you and observing how well you encode information they give you or how well you can recall past information. They may consult with people who know you to find out how your memory works in daily life. They may also refer you for formal memory testing, called a Neuropsychological evaluation.

To determine the cause of amnesia, your provider may order blood tests to check vitamin B1 levels, B12 levels and thyroid hormones. They may order imaging tests, such as an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) or computed tomography (CT) scan to look for signs of brain damage, such as brain tumors or stroke. An EEG (electroencephalogram) may be ordered to check for seizure activity. A spinal tap may be ordered to check for brain infections as a cause of the memory loss.