Pathology tests
What is a pathology test?
Pathology tests analyze samples such as blood, spinal fluid, or muscle tissue to help understand what might be causing your symptoms or assess your condition. They can also help rule out other possible causes of symptoms.
These tests play a key role in diagnosing, monitoring, and planning treatment for neurological conditions. They’re used with other diagnostic tools, such as imaging scans and neurodiagnostic tests, to create a clearer picture of your condition. Pathology tests can help detect signs of infection, inflammation, or inherited disorders, supporting a more accurate and timely diagnosis.
As a Centre of Excellence in neurology, we use the latest pathology tests and techniques to help create a comprehensive picture of your health for diagnosing neurological conditions, guiding treatment plans, and monitoring progress.
Whether it’s to confirm a diagnosis or monitor your condition, pathology tests are used throughout your journey. Read on to learn about the different types, when you might have one and what to expect during your appointment
Types of pathology tests
At Affidea neuraCare, pathology services are designed to provide both essential and highly specialized investigations for neurological conditions. Rather than focusing only on individual tests, our approach is built around structured packages. Each package is tailored by your neurologist to meet your needs and typically includes:
- General Blood Pathology – routine checks for infection, inflammation, vitamin or hormone levels, and other health markers.
- Biochemical Analysis – detailed laboratory studies to detect imbalances that may affect brain and nerve function.
- Pathway-Specific Examinations – specialized tests depending on the suspected condition, such as epilepsy-specific blood panels, Alzheimer’s biomarkers, genetic testing, or lumbar puncture/CSF analysis.
This structure ensures that patients benefit from comprehensive testing in one place, with results delivered quickly and prioritized for accuracy.
Blood test
A blood test is one of the most common pathology tests. It involves taking a sample of blood and analyzing it in a laboratory. Blood tests are used to check for signs of:
- Infection or inflammation
- Vitamin or hormone imbalances
- Low or high blood glucose levels, which may include a HbA1C test
- Specific antibodies linked to rare neurological disorders
Blood tests are generally quick and safe. They can help support a diagnosis of conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, peripheral neuropathy, and autoimmune encephalitis.
Lumbar puncture
A lumbar puncture, or a spinal tap, involves analyzing a sample of cerebrospinal fluid from the lower back with a thin, hollow needle. Cerebrospinal fluid surrounds your brain and spinal cord. Changes in this fluid can signal infection, inflammation, or neurological disease.
Your neurologist may recommend a lumbar puncture if they suspect:
- Meningitis or encephalitis
- An autoimmune condition, such as multiple sclerosis or Guillain-Barré syndrome
- A lymphatic tumor of the nervous system
If your neurologist suspects normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), they may suggest a cerebrospinal tap test . This is a type of lumbar puncture test where up to 30ml of excess cerebrospinal fluid is removed to see if symptoms improve. It’s often used to decide whether surgery is a suitable option.
Genetic testing
Genetic testing looks for changes in your DNA that might explain a neurological condition, especially if there’s a family history or you have early signs of a hereditary neurological condition. It involves a small sample of either blood or saliva.
Conditions you may have genetic testing for include:
- Epilepsy
- Some forms of dementia
- Hereditary neuropathies, such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
- Inherited movement disorders, such as Huntington’s and some forms of Parkinson’s
- Some neuromuscular conditions, such as motor neurone disease (MND), Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)
Genetic counselling is provided before and after testing to support informed decisions.
Muscle and nerve biopsy
A biopsy involves taking a small sample of muscle or nerve tissue, usually from the leg or arm. It’s typically used if your symptoms suggest a problem with the structure or function of your nerves or muscles.
Urine tests
Urine tests can detect signs of infection, metabolic imbalances, toxic substances, drugs, diabetes, or kidney problems that may be contributing to neurological symptoms. These tests help neurologists identify underlying issues and rule out other conditions.
When do you have a pathology test?
The type of tests you have and how often you have them depend on your condition and overall health. Some tests you may only have once or twice, such as a genetic test, whereas others you may have at multiple points in your journey.
Your neurologist may recommend a test to:
- Help explain your symptoms and make a diagnosis
- Rule out other conditions
- Gather more information about your condition to plan treatment
- Monitor how your condition is progressing
- Assess your response to treatment
Your neurologist will always explain why a test is being recommended and what to expect so you’re informed and supported every step of the way
What to expect during a pathology test
Blood test
A blood test is a simple and quick process that you may need to prepare for. This could involve not eating or drinking for some time before, or not taking certain medications. Your neurologist will advise you on this.
An appointment typically takes around ten minutes. Your nurse will collect blood from your hand or arm. They may need to take several vials of your blood. If you feel uncomfortable or dizzy at any point, let your nurse know, and they can help.
Depending on which tests your neurologist requested, your results may take a few days or a few weeks. Once they’re ready, you’ll have another appointment with your neurologist to discuss them.
Lumbar puncture
A lumbar puncture is performed at the center by a specialist neurologist. Let your team know if you take any medication, such as blood-thinning medication. Your neurologist will tell you if you need to do anything before the blood test.
When you arrive, yo u’ll be escorted to a private room and given a medical gown to change into for your procedure. Your neurologist will discuss the procedure with you, including the risks and benefits, and answer any concerns.
- Your neurologist will help position you on the treatment couch with your back facing them.
- They’ll inject a local anesthetic into your lower back to reduce discomfort. If your child is having a lumbar puncture, they may also have a sedative to help them feel more relaxed.
- Once you’re ready, your neurologist will slowly put a needle between the bones in your spine at your lower back. This should not feel painful. Instead, it may feel like a slight pressure or pins and needles for a short time.
- They’ll collect your cerebrospinal fluid into small vials.
- Once they’ve collected enough fluid, they’ll carefully remove the needle and place a dressing over the wound.
- Your neurologist will help you lie on your back. You’ll need to stay and rest in bed for up to a few hours and drink plenty of fluids so we can monitor your condition, especially if you had a tap test.
The procedure takes twenty minutes, but your whole appointment may take a few hours. While lumbar punctures are safe and your neurologist is trained to a strict high standard, it’s important to make sure you’re feeling well before going home.
Your neurologist will make an appointment to discuss your results once they’re ready. This may take a few days.
Risks and side effects
It’s common to feel side effects after your lumbar puncture test, such as a headache, back pain, or bleeding and swelling at the needle site. They’re usually mild and temporary. We can provide medication and guidance to help you manage these.
More serious complications are rare but can require urgent care. Before you go home, we’ll make sure you and your family know what to look out for.
Genetic testing
Before you have a genetic test, you’ll meet with a genetic counsellor. Their aim is to make sure you’re fully informed before making a decision. They’ll explain the procedure, possible outcomes, and how this could affect you and your family.
If you do not wish to proceed with a genetic test, you do not have to. If you agree to a genetic test, your results can take a few weeks or months. You may also need further tests. After your results, you’ll have another session with your genetic counsellor to discuss them.
Sometimes, you can request a genetic test for a hereditary condition you have a family history of, even if you don’t have any symptoms. This is called a genetic screening test. If you’re carrying a pregnancy, you may also request this as a prenatal screening for your child.
It’s important to note that having certain genes does not always mean you or your child will develop the condition. This can depend on the condition. You’ll also have access to genetic counselling before your test to discuss all the possibilities.
Muscle and nerve biopsy
At your biopsy appointment, your neurologist takes a small tissue sample from your thigh, arm, leg, or ankle. This may involve a needle or an incision under local anaesthetic. The entire procedure may take around 30 to 60 minutes.
While the incisions are small, some may require stitches. Your care team will advise you on how to keep your wound dry and clean.
You may feel sore for a few days. You’ll need to rest the area and introduce physical activity slowly so you can recover. Your care team will offer expert advice and support for this.
Your results are sent to your dedicated neurologist once they’re ready. This can take a few weeks. Your neurologist will arrange an appointment with you to talk about your results and any next steps.
Urine tests
A urine test can be done at home or in the center. You’ll be given a small container to catch a sample of urine when you go to the bathroom. There are different types of containers with separate instructions. We’ll explain how to use your container correctly.
If you’re collecting your urine sample at home, we’ll let you know how to safely store your sample before your appointment.
Your neurologist may test your urine straight away with a strip and discuss the results with you on the same day. If necessary, they’ll send your sample to the laboratory for further testing, which can take around a day.
Our multidisciplinary team
We surround our patients with specialists who listen, understand, and care. They include some of Europe's most renowned experts – neurologists,
neuropsychologists, neuroradiographers, microbiologists, nurses, nuclear medicine experts and therapeutic specialists in physiology and occupational health.
