Neurological Exam Test
A neurological exam is a series of questions and tests to check the health of your nervous system, including your brain, spinal cord, and nerves. It helps find disorders that affect movement, senses, thinking, and automatic body functions.
What this test measures
A neurological exam checks muscle movement, balance, coordination, breathing, heartbeat, digestion, sense of touch, smell, hearing, vision, thinking, and memory. It tests motor nerves, autonomic nerves, sensory nerves, and parts of the brain that control complex mental activity.
What your results mean
Reference ranges vary by laboratory and by your age and sex. MedlinePlus does not publish a single normal range for this test — always read your result against the range printed on your own lab report and discuss it with your provider.
Frequently asked questions
What is a neurological exam?
It is a group of questions and tests to check for disorders of your nervous system.
What does a neurological exam check?
It checks muscle movement, balance, coordination, breathing, heartbeat, digestion, senses, thinking, and memory.
Why might I need a neurological exam?
It may be used during a routine checkup, to find out if a nervous system disorder is causing symptoms, to check for injury, or to monitor a known nerve condition.
What happens if my results are not normal?
Your provider will likely order more tests, such as blood tests, imaging, or a lumbar puncture, to help make a diagnosis.
What conditions can a neurological exam help diagnose?
It can help diagnose degenerative nerve diseases, diabetic nerve problems, epilepsy, headache disorders, meningitis, and multiple sclerosis.
Related lab tests
Sources
- MedlinePlus: Neurological Exam — NIH MedlinePlus
Last updated . Information is aggregated from official public sources and is not a substitute for professional medical care.