David PerlmutterPresident at Perlmutter Health Center

3 Things to Do Before Your Next Neurologist Appointment | Dr. David Perlmutter

23 Oct 2026 · 1 min

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1:25

In this brief, patient‑focused video, Dr. David Perlmutter advises individuals living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers on how to maximize the value of a neurologist visit. He outlines three concrete steps: (1) come fully prepared by keeping a detailed symptom log—including sleep, mood, diet, exercise, and bowel habits—bringing all medication and supplement bottles, and providing recent lab results or brain imaging; (2) attend the appointment with a trusted person who knows the patient well and can report observations the patient may miss; and (3) ask action‑oriented questions that elicit a clear, actionable roadmap covering lifestyle changes, diagnostic plans, and follow‑up strategies. The overall message is to transform a routine appointment into a collaborative, data‑driven session that yields specific, measurable steps for brain‑health support.

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If you or a loved one are living with Alzheimer's, don't walk into your next appointment without listening to this first. 3 things I want to recommend to help you get the very most out of your next visit. First, you've got to come prepared. You've got to keep a log of your symptoms. Also pay attention to things like your sleep, your mood, your diet, your exercise, and even your bowel habits. And bring your medications and supplements. Don't just write them down, but bring the actual bottles with you so that we can see dosages. Remember that it's fundamental that we see you recently. Laboratory work and even brain imaging. So if you have a DVD of your brain scan, that's important as well. Second, bring somebody who knows you— a spouse, a family member, somebody with whom you interact— and they can talk about how you're doing and also how you may have changed over time. They may have the ability to notice things that you may not notice yourself, and they can be a great help for you in terms of getting the most out of your appointment. Finally, ask questions that lead to action. And, you know, you want to know, are there health factors, for example, that are influencing your condition? What can you start doing today to support your brain health? How will your doctor measure whether you're— what you're doing is even working? You should leave your appointment with more than just a prescription. You should leave with an actionable roadmap that includes lifestyle modifications, diagnostics, and even what is the plan for your follow-up.