Latest

Understand the 1-mg low-dose dexamethasone suppression test, the common cortisol cutoff of 1.8 mcg/dL, causes of nonsuppression, and the follow-up used for Cushing screening.

Low-Dose Dexamethasone Suppression Test: Cushing Syndrome Screening and Results

Learn how an 8–9 a.m. cortisol test screens for adrenal insufficiency, what low and intermediate results mean, how ACTH helps identify the cause, and when stimulation testing is needed.

Morning Cortisol Test: Low Levels, Adrenal Insufficiency, and Results

Learn how a pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma panel uses plasma or urine metanephrines, normetanephrine, catecholamines, and controlled collection to interpret abnormal results.

Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma Test Panel: Metanephrines, Normetanephrine, Catecholamines, and Results

Learn what plasma epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine results mean, why collection posture matters, common causes of high values, and when metanephrine testing is preferred.

Plasma Catecholamines Test: Epinephrine, Norepinephrine, Dopamine, and Results

Learn how plasma free metanephrine and normetanephrine testing screens for pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma, why supine rest matters, and how high or borderline results are evaluated.

Plasma Free Metanephrines Test: Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma Screening, High Levels, and Results

Learn what a high plasma normetanephrine result means, why supine rest matters, common false-positive causes, when clonidine testing is used, and how PPGL evaluation proceeds.

Plasma Normetanephrine Test: High Levels, Pheochromocytoma Screening, and Results

Diagnostics

Home Diagnostics Page 51

Learn when MRI or PET is used for memory loss, what each scan can show, how amyloid and tau PET differ, and why imaging is only one part of a full dementia workup.

Brain Imaging for Memory Loss: When MRI or PET Is Used

Learn what a brain MRI can show, when doctors order it, how it compares with CT, what contrast means, and what to expect before, during, and after the scan.

Brain MRI: What It Shows and When It Is Ordered

Learn which brain, cognitive, and mental health tests are commonly used in children, adults, and seniors, and how age changes screening, diagnosis, and next-step evaluation.

Brain, Cognitive, and Mental Health Tests by Age: Children, Adults, and...

A practical guide to brain, cognitive, and mental health tests by symptom, including memory loss, brain fog, anxiety, mood swings, poor focus, fatigue, and when doctors escalate testing.

Brain, Cognitive, and Mental Health Tests by Symptom: Memory Loss, Brain...

Learn what the CAGE alcohol screening test measures, how it is scored, when doctors use it, where it falls short, and how it compares with AUDIT and AUDIT-C.

CAGE Alcohol Screening: What It Means and When It Is Used

Learn what the CAM delirium test measures, how it is scored, when hospitals use it, how it differs from CAM-ICU, and what a positive result means in older adults.

CAM Delirium Test: What It Measures in Hospital and Older Adults

Can a brain scan show depression, anxiety, ADHD, or autism? Learn what MRI, PET, and other scans can reveal, why they are not routine diagnostic tests, and when doctors still order imaging.

Can a Brain Scan Show Depression, Anxiety, ADHD, or Autism?

Can mental health tests be wrong? Learn how false positives and false negatives happen, what affects accuracy, and what to do next after a confusing result.

Can Mental Health Tests Be Wrong? False Positives, False Negatives, and...

Can MRI diagnose mental illness? Learn what brain scans can reveal, when doctors order MRI for psychiatric symptoms, and why diagnosis still depends on clinical evaluation.

Can MRI Diagnose Mental Illness? What Brain Scans Can and Cannot...

Learn what families should expect from cognitive testing for older adults, including common memory tests, follow-up workups, how results are interpreted, and when sudden confusion needs urgent care.

Cognitive Testing for Older Adults: What Families Should Expect

Learn what cognitive testing measures, which brain functions it checks, when doctors recommend it, and how to understand screening results and next steps.

Cognitive Testing: What It Is and What It Measures

Learn what brain, cognitive, and mental health tests actually show, how screening differs from diagnosis, when imaging or biomarkers are used, and what results may mean.

Complete Guide to Brain, Cognitive, and Mental Health Tests and Diagnostics

Learn what computerized cognitive testing measures, how accurate digital brain tests really are, and when results should lead to follow-up care or full neuropsychological evaluation.

Computerized Cognitive Testing: What It Measures and How Accurate It Is

Learn what concussion testing really includes, from symptom checks and neurologic exams to cognitive tests, balance testing, and when CT or MRI is needed.

Concussion Testing: Common Tests Used to Assess Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Learn what Conners Rating Scales measure in ADHD testing, how parents and teachers use them, what high scores mean, and why they are not a stand-alone diagnosis.

Conners Rating Scales: What They Measure in ADHD Testing

Learn what CSF testing can show in brain and cognitive disorders, including Alzheimer’s biomarkers, infection, inflammation, prion disease, lumbar puncture risks, and how results are interpreted.

CSF Testing for Brain and Cognitive Disorders: What It Can Show

Learn what the C-SSRS suicide risk assessment measures, what questions it asks, how clinicians interpret answers, and what usually happens after a positive screen.

C-SSRS Suicide Risk Assessment: What It Is and What to Expect

Learn what the DAST screening test measures, how DAST-10 scoring works, what different score ranges may mean, and what usually happens after a positive drug use screen.

DAST Screening Test: What It Measures and What Results Mean

Learn how delirium screening works, which bedside tools doctors use for sudden confusion, how screening differs from diagnosis, and what happens after a positive delirium screen.

Delirium Screening: How Doctors Check for Sudden Confusion

Learn which dementia screening tests doctors use first, including the Mini-Cog, MoCA, MMSE, and SLUMS, plus what abnormal results usually mean next.

Dementia Screening: What Tests Doctors Use First

1...505152...57 Page 51 of 57