At CNHPC we have established a complete pain center. Whether you are referred to me by your personal physician or here on a self-referral basis, we will thoroughly discuss all details of your condition beginning with a complete neurological work-up. You will be tested on alertness, memory, speech, vision, strength, coordination, reflexes, and sensation. After a diagnosis is determined, additional tests may be needed to confirm the diagnosis and to define treatment. Common neurological tests include:

Evoked Potentials (VEP, BEP, SSEP)

• VEP (visually evoked potential) for optic neuritis or other demyelinating events along the optic nerve or further back along the optic pathways.
• BAEP (brainstem auditory evoked potential) which evaluates the auditory nerve pathways from the ears through the brainstem
• SSEP (somatosensory evoked potential) is a series of waves which are detected at various anatomical locations derived from a single type of stimulus.

Electroencephalogram (EEG)
EEG is a diagnostic tool used to evaluate seizure disorders, metabolic disorders (liver, kidney dysfunction), stroke, degenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, head trauma, headaches, brain tumors and brain death (when someone has absolutely no brain activity).

Carotid Ultrasound
Carotid ultrasound is a useful diagnostic tool for assessing cervical carotid artery disease for blockages or ulcers. This test is used for evaluation of TIA and stroke.

Transcranial Doppler
Transcranial doppler is a noninvasive method of analyzing blood flow in the brain. When this test is combined with IV injection of saline solution it helps to diagnose PFO. PFO (Patent Foramen Ovale) is a common association with migraine points. This condition can add to the risk of TIA and CVA (stroke) and make migraines refractory.

Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO)
PFO is the residual tunnel that can act as a valve. It's normally shut but occasionally shunts blood that's headed to the lungs off to the brain and other parts of the body. In some cases, blood clots passing through the PFO can shoot to the head cause for migraines and trigger strokes.

Electromyogram (EMG)
EMG measures the electrical impulses of muscles at rest and during contraction. Nerve conduction studies, which measure nerve conduction velocity, determine how well individual nerves can transmit electrical signals. Nerves control the muscles in the body using electrical impulses, and these impulses make the muscles react in specific ways. Nerve and muscle disorders cause the muscles to react in abnormal ways. (WebHealthMD.Com)

Nerve conduction velocities (NCV)
NCV measures electrical energy by assessing the nerve's ability to send a signal. The NCV is a two part test: the first set of electrodes is used to send small pulses of electricity (similar to the sensation of static electricity) to stimulate the nerve that directs a particular muscle. The second set of electrodes transmits the responding electrical signal to a recording machine. The physician then reviews the response to verify any nerve damage or muscle disease. Usually done in conjunction with an EMG.

MRI / MRA

• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): An MRI scan produces very clear images of the human brain.
• MRA (Magnetic Resonance Angiography): An MRA is performed at the same time as the MRI and largely uses a reconstruction of the same data and images to generate the MRA.

CT scan
CT scan is an x-ray procedure in which the area of interest is imaged in cross-sectional slices mainly the brain and spinal cord.

Spect Scan
Spect scan is a type of physiological study of brain imaging technique that is used to study the function of the brain. This study looks for the blood perfusion of the brain.

Neuropsychological Testing
Neuropsychological testing is used to examine brain function and impairment in parts with dementia and closed brain injury. Neuropsychological tests measure memory, concentration, visual-spatial, problem solving, counting, and language skills.