Memory changes can be difficult to understand, particularly when you are not sure whether occasional forgetfulness is simply part of everyday life or something that needs further investigation.
At Dementech Neurosciences, our private memory clinic provides specialist assessments for people experiencing changes in memory, thinking or cognitive function. Our approach is designed to look beyond individual symptoms and build a clearer picture of what may be causing them.
A private memory assessment at Dementech combines a consultation with a specialist neurologist with appropriate cognitive testing, neurological assessment and diagnostic investigations. Depending on your symptoms and clinical history, this may include blood tests, MRI brain imaging or other investigations.
The aim is not simply to identify whether someone has a memory condition. It is to understand what may be contributing to their symptoms and provide a personalised plan for what happens next.
What is a private memory assessment at Dementech?
A private memory assessment at Dementech is a specialist clinical assessment for people experiencing concerns with memory, thinking or other changes in cognitive function.
Our private memory clinic in London provides access to specialist neurologists who assess memory problems alongside other aspects of neurological health. The assessment is tailored to your symptoms and circumstances rather than relying on one test or a single measure of memory.
At Dementech, the assessment may include:
- A detailed consultation with a specialist neurologist
- A review of your symptoms and medical history
- Discussion of lifestyle factors and changes in memory or thinking
- Cognitive and mental ability testing
- Neurological assessment
- Blood tests where appropriate
- MRI brain imaging where appropriate
- Further investigations if clinically required
The specific combination of assessments will depend on your symptoms and what your specialist believes is needed to understand them.
Who can benefit from a memory assessment at Dementech?
A memory assessment may be appropriate if you or someone close to you has noticed changes in memory, concentration or thinking that are becoming more noticeable or are beginning to affect everyday life.
You may notice that you are:
- Forgetting recent conversations or events more often
- Frequently misplacing things
- Struggling to find the right words
- Finding it harder to concentrate
- Having difficulty planning or organising tasks
- Becoming confused in situations that previously felt familiar
- Finding everyday tasks more difficult than they used to be
It is also common for a family member or partner to notice changes before the person experiencing them does.
Not every memory lapse indicates a neurological condition. Dementech’s memory clinic notes that occasional forgetfulness can occur because of factors such as inattention, information overload or low mood. It is when changes become noticeable or begin to interfere with everyday life that a specialist assessment may be useful.
What happens during a private memory assessment at Dementech?
Your assessment starts with a consultation with a specialist neurologist.
This is an important part of the process because memory problems can have different causes, and the symptoms alone do not necessarily explain what is happening.
Your consultant will discuss your concerns and take a detailed history, including information about:
- The symptoms you have noticed
- When the changes began
- Whether your symptoms have changed over time
- Your medical history
- Current medications
- Lifestyle factors
- Other health conditions
- Any relevant family history
The consultation gives your specialist an opportunity to understand the wider context around your memory concerns rather than looking at memory in isolation.
Dementech’s dementia assessment pathway similarly begins with a review of medical history, lifestyle and potential risk factors before deciding which further investigations are appropriate.
Will I have a memory or cognitive test?
Cognitive testing may form part of your assessment at Dementech.
These assessments are designed to look at different aspects of cognitive function rather than simply asking whether you can remember a list of words.
Depending on the assessment, cognitive testing may look at areas such as:
- Memory
- Attention
- Concentration
- Communication
- Language
- Problem-solving
- Other aspects of thinking and mental ability
Dementech uses cognitive assessments as part of its diagnostic process for memory and dementia-related concerns.
The results are considered alongside your clinical history and other findings. A cognitive test score is therefore not used on its own to determine what is causing your symptoms.
Could I need an MRI brain scan?
Depending on your symptoms and the findings from your consultation, your Dementech specialist may recommend an MRI brain scan.
MRI imaging allows your clinician to examine the structure of the brain and look for changes that may help explain your symptoms.
Dementech’s private memory clinic uses MRI scans alongside neurological evaluations and cognitive testing as part of its diagnostic approach.
An MRI is not automatically required for everyone who attends a memory assessment. Your specialist will determine whether imaging is appropriate based on your individual circumstances.
Will I need blood tests?
Blood tests may also be recommended as part of your memory assessment.
At Dementech, blood testing can be used to investigate potential medical contributors to cognitive symptoms. The dementia assessment pathway includes tests relating to areas such as liver, kidney and thyroid function, alongside other relevant biomarkers.
The purpose is to build a more complete picture of your health and help your specialist understand whether there may be another explanation for your symptoms.
What conditions can Dementech investigate?
Memory and cognitive problems can occur for many different reasons.
Dementech’s specialists assess and treat a range of neurological and cognitive conditions, including dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as mild cognitive impairment.
The clinic’s private memory clinic provides specialist assessment and treatment for a range of memory-related concerns, while Dementech also has dedicated services for dementia diagnosis and treatment, Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment.
This is important because the purpose of an assessment is not simply to confirm dementia. It is to understand what may be causing the changes in memory or thinking and determine what should happen next.
How long does a private memory assessment at Dementech take?
The length of an assessment depends on the symptoms being investigated and which tests or investigations are needed.
Dementech offers same-week consultations, with tests and scans available within 48 hours and consultation available within 72 hours through its dementia pathway.
The aim is to provide a thorough assessment without creating unnecessary delays between the different stages of investigation.
Some patients may need only a consultation and cognitive assessment, while others may require additional investigations such as blood tests or brain imaging.
Your specialist will explain which assessments are appropriate for you.
Can I have a video consultation with Dementech?
Yes. Dementech offers video consultations for patients who are unable to attend the London clinic in person.
This allows you to access specialist guidance and care remotely from home or another suitable location.
However, some diagnostic investigations, such as MRI scans, blood tests or certain aspects of an in-person neurological examination, may require you to attend a clinic.
Your Dementech team can advise you on which parts of your assessment can be completed remotely and which may need to take place in person.
What happens after the memory assessment?
Once your assessment and any required investigations have been completed, your specialist will review the findings together.
This may include considering:
- Your symptoms and medical history
- Cognitive assessment results
- Neurological findings
- Blood test results
- Brain imaging
- Other relevant investigations
Your consultant will then explain the findings and discuss what they mean in relation to your symptoms.
If a diagnosis is made, your specialist will explain the condition and discuss the appropriate next steps.
If the assessment does not point towards a specific neurological condition, your specialist can explain what the findings suggest and whether further investigation or monitoring is appropriate.
Will I receive a treatment plan?
Where treatment or ongoing support is appropriate, Dementech provides personalised treatment plans based on the underlying cause of your symptoms and your individual needs.
For patients diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment, for example, Dementech’s specialists can develop personalised plans that may include cognitive rehabilitation, memory support strategies and medication reviews where appropriate.
For people diagnosed with dementia, Dementech provides an end-to-end service covering diagnosis, treatment and ongoing care.
The focus is on making the treatment plan relevant to the individual rather than applying the same approach to every patient.
What makes a Dementech private memory assessment different?
Dementech’s private memory clinic is designed around specialist neurological assessment and personalised care.
Same-week consultations
Dementech aims to provide access to specialist appointments within the same week, helping patients avoid extended waits for an initial consultation.
Specialist neurologists
Memory assessments are carried out within Dementech’s specialist neurology service, with clinicians experienced in neurological conditions affecting memory and cognitive function.
Dr Lucio D’Anna is Dementech’s Lead Neurologist and specialises in diagnosing neurological conditions.
Assessment tailored to your symptoms
There is no single test that can explain every memory problem.
Dementech uses a combination of clinical assessment, cognitive testing and diagnostic investigations where appropriate, allowing the assessment pathway to be tailored to the individual.
Access to diagnostic investigations
Where required, Dementech can arrange investigations including cognitive testing, blood tests and brain imaging as part of its diagnostic pathways.
Ongoing care after diagnosis
A memory assessment is not necessarily the end of the process.
Where a condition is identified, Dementech can provide personalised treatment and ongoing support, helping patients understand their diagnosis and manage their symptoms.
How much does a private memory assessment at Dementech cost?
Dementech’s private memory clinic lists assessment fees starting from £485, with personalised prices and pathways depending on the individual’s needs.
For patients who require a more extensive dementia diagnostic pathway, Dementech currently lists a dementia pathway at £2,970, which includes a memory blood test, cognitive assessment with a psychologist, brain MRI scan and consultation with a specialist memory neurologist.
The investigations you need will depend on your individual symptoms and clinical assessment, so it is worth speaking to the Dementech team about the most appropriate pathway for you.
What should I bring to a Dementech memory assessment?
Before your appointment, it can be useful to think about when you first noticed changes and whether they have become more frequent or severe.
You may also wish to have information about:
- Current medications
- Existing medical conditions
- Previous neurological investigations
- Relevant family history
- Changes noticed by family members or people close to you
If possible, having someone who knows you well involved in the assessment can also be helpful. They may have noticed changes in memory, behaviour or everyday functioning that you have not recognised yourself.
Book a private memory assessment at Dementech
If you are concerned about changes in memory, concentration or thinking, a specialist assessment can provide a clearer understanding of what may be happening.
At Dementech Neurosciences, our private memory clinic provides specialist neurological assessment, cognitive testing and diagnostic investigations tailored to your symptoms.
With same-week consultations, video appointments and access to diagnostic tests and scans, Dementech provides a streamlined route from initial assessment through to diagnosis and personalised care.
Book a private memory consultation at Dementech to discuss your symptoms with a specialist.
Frequently asked questions about private memory assessments at Dementech
How quickly can I have a memory assessment at Dementech?
Dementech aims to arrange consultations within the same week. Tests and scans can also be completed on the same day or within 72 hours as part of the dementia pathway, depending on the investigations required.
What tests are included in a Dementech memory assessment?
The tests you need will depend on your symptoms and clinical assessment. Dementech may use cognitive testing, neurological assessment, blood tests and brain imaging such as MRI.
Can I have a memory assessment online?
Dementech offers video consultations for patients who cannot attend the London clinic. Some investigations may still need to be completed in person.
How much does a private memory assessment cost at Dementech?
Dementech’s private memory clinic currently lists assessment fees starting at £485. The final cost depends on the assessment and investigations required.
Will I receive a diagnosis during my assessment?
Your specialist will review your symptoms, clinical findings and the results of any investigations before explaining the outcome and recommended next steps. The exact process and timing will depend on which assessments are required.
What happens if I am diagnosed with a memory condition?
Dementech can provide personalised treatment and ongoing support following diagnosis. Depending on the condition, this may include medication reviews, cognitive rehabilitation, memory support strategies and other specialist care.
