Who to refer

Those with new memory symptoms should be generally be referred to old age psychiatry (if >65 years old) or neuropsychology (if <65 years old).

Refer urgently to neurology if:

  • Rapid cognitive decline (i.e. loss of function over <6 month period)
  • Cognitive decline with abnormal neurological signs
  • Two or more episodes of transient amnesia.

Prior to neurology referral please do:

  • CT brain
  • FBC, calcium, B12, folate, TSH, HIV, and syphilis serology.

Who not to refer

  • Memory symptoms in the context of fatigue and pain (patient information)
  • Isolated memory symptoms
    • As above, please discuss with old age psychiatry or neuropsychology, depending on age of patient
  • First episode transient global amnesia.

How to refer

SCI Gateway/Neurology

 

Editorial Information

Next review date: 05/01/2027