5 Steps to Check Your Brain Health 

1. Get a primary care doctor (family physician or geriatrician) and ask for a referral to a neurologist.

If you don’t have a doctor or don’t have health insurance, you can see a doctor at the Columbus Free Clinic (614-404-8417) and get a referral to the OSU Wexner Medical Center, Department of Neurology (614-293-4969)

2. Get a neurological exam:

A neurologist will check how well your brain and body are working (thinking, memory, senses, reflexes, movement). Ask them for a referral for steps 3, 4, and 5.

3. Get a blood draw:

a) To check for biomarkers of brain diseases

b) To check for reversible causes of memory problems (e.g., vitamin B12, thyroid, UTI)

4. Get a brain scan (MRI / PET):

You will lay down on a bed while a machine takes scans of your brain.

5. Get a neuropsychological assessment:

A neuropsychologist will give you thinking and memory tasks to understand your brain’s strengths and weaknesses, and also look at stress and emotional health.

You can get a FREE neuropsychological assessment with Dr. Jeremy Grant, a neuropsychologist and director of the Cognitive Health in Late Life (CHILL) Lab. Our research lab will give you a phone call (614-688-0369) to see if you are eligible.

You can do the assessment on Zoom, or at two in-person locations:

• OSU Department of Psychology (main campus; free parking available)

• OSU Community Extension Center (on Mt. Vernon Ave, near King Arts Center)

Neuropsychological assessments can be obtained at the following sites:

• • OSU Wexner Medical Center Department of Psychiatry - Neuropsychology Clinic (614-293-4969)

  • OSU Wexner Medical Center Department of Neurology - Division of Neuropsychology (614-293-9600)

  • OSU Wexner Medical Center Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation - Rehabilitation Psychology 

  • Ohio Health Neuropsychology (614-533-5500)