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Private cognitive assessment (MoCA) in London, interpreted by a specialist.

A validated cognitive screen interpreted by a specialist alongside history and - where indicated - a brain MRI. Not a “brain-training app” result; a proper memory-clinic pathway.

A stethoscope on a clinical desk

Indicative pricing

What a private cognitive assessment costs in London.

Indicative ranges across UK specialists.

In short

A full cognitive assessment with specialist review: £400–£800, interpreted in the same visit.

Assessment Indicative range
MoCA screen only £150–£300
Full cognitive assessment + specialist review £400–£800
Memory clinic consultation £350–£700
Neuropsychology full battery £900–£1,800
Cognitive assessment + brain MRI £900–£1,600
Follow-up cognitive review £180–£380

Prices vary by specialist, whether neuropsychology or brain MRI are added, and how quickly you need the report.

The problem

A score on its own is not an answer.

Anyone can hand you a MoCA sheet. The value is a specialist reading it alongside history, examination and - where warranted - a brain MRI, and then telling you what to do next.

  • Something has changed?

    You or a partner have noticed a change and want a proper baseline - not a leaflet.

  • Worried about a low score?

    A single low number is not a diagnosis. A specialist puts it in context, same visit.

  • Need a full pathway?

    If the screen is positive, we open the door to memory clinic and imaging - not just email a PDF.

What it shows

The reasons people come to us for a cognitive assessment.

Not every concern needs a full workup - and some need urgent neurology, not a screen.

  • Subjective memory concerns

    When you or a partner notice something has changed and want a proper baseline.

  • Mild cognitive impairment screen

    A validated way to check whether change is beyond normal ageing.

  • Suspected dementia

    Structured assessment to guide diagnosis, imaging and support.

  • Executive function change

    Planning, attention and multitasking - the domains people notice at work first.

  • Driving fitness

    Where cognition may affect safety behind the wheel, with clear DVLA guidance.

  • Medication review affecting cognition

    Sedatives, anticholinergics and polypharmacy can dull thinking - screening helps.

  • Baseline before surgery

    A pre-operative cognitive baseline for older patients or complex procedures.

  • Red flag: rapid decline over weeks

    A change measured in weeks rather than years needs urgent neurology - we escalate.

Assessment pathways

What each option is actually for.

  • MoCA screen

    The 20-minute Montreal Cognitive Assessment - a validated first-line screen.

  • Full cognitive assessment

    MoCA plus history, examination and consultant interpretation in a single visit.

  • Memory clinic pathway

    Structured assessment led by an old-age psychiatrist, with follow-up planning built in.

  • Neuropsychology full battery

    A chartered clinical neuropsychologist maps every domain over a half-day.

  • Cognitive assessment + brain MRI

    Combined pathway when imaging is indicated - typically arranged in the same week.

  • Post-stroke cognitive review

    Focused assessment after a stroke or TIA to guide rehabilitation.

  • Occupational cognitive review

    For work-related concerns, fitness-to-practise questions and return-to-work planning.

  • Capacity assessment

    Formal capacity assessment for medical, legal or financial decisions.

Preparation and practicalities

What actually affects a MoCA score.

A cognitive screen is safe and non-invasive - but conditions matter.

  • MoCA is a screen, not a diagnosis

    A single score does not diagnose anything. It flags whether a fuller assessment is warranted.

  • A quiet environment matters

    Distraction, noise and a rushed setting all lower scores. We test in a calm room.

  • Language versions

    English-language versions have validated alternatives - we choose the right one.

  • Mood, sleep and medications

    Depression, poor sleep and sedating drugs can all pull scores down. We factor them in.

  • A single low score is not dementia

    Context is everything. A low score is a prompt for careful review, not a label.

  • Positive screen needs specialist review

    We do not leave you with an abnormal score and no plan. A specialist reviews it the same visit.

  • Brain MRI usually indicated

    For cognitive concerns beyond normal ageing, brain imaging is part of the standard workup.

  • Driving fitness and the DVLA

    Some diagnoses require you to notify the DVLA. We explain your obligations clearly.

  • Family involvement helps

    A collateral history from a partner or relative is often the most useful part of the assessment.

Reading your report

A cognitive report can look daunting. It isn’t.

Whichever pathway you take, the report follows the same four parts.

A UK consultant reviewing a cognitive assessment report

A quiet reminder

A single score is not a diagnosis - context is everything.

Ask your care team to explain anything that is unclear.

  1. 01 Header

    Your age and concerns

    Your details, age, and the concerns behind the assessment - as reported by you and, where relevant, family.

  2. 02 Technique

    Which tools were used

    MoCA version, additional bedside tests, and any neuropsychology instruments used.

  3. 03 Findings

    Domain-by-domain scores

    Memory, attention, language, executive function and visuospatial ability - each scored and described.

  4. 04 Impression

    The conclusion: read this first

    Normal, mild cognitive impairment, probable dementia, or a specific next step. Read this first.

Recognised by major UK insurers

BupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealix

Frequently asked

Everything we get asked about cognitive assessment.

Quick answers on the MoCA, MMSE, cost, referral, imaging and driving.

  • What does the MoCA actually measure?

    The Montreal Cognitive Assessment is a 30-point screen that covers short-term memory, attention, language, executive function, visuospatial skill and orientation - the domains most often affected in mild cognitive impairment and early dementia.

  • How is MoCA different from the MMSE?

    The MMSE is an older, briefer screen that is less sensitive to mild impairment and executive dysfunction. MoCA is generally preferred as a first-line screen, particularly for detecting mild cognitive impairment.

  • How much does a private cognitive assessment cost in London?

    A MoCA screen alone is typically £150–£300. A full cognitive assessment with specialist review is £400–£800. A neuropsychology full battery runs £900–£1,800.

  • What if the result is inconclusive?

    A borderline or single-visit score is not the last word. We repeat, add neuropsychology, or arrange imaging - whichever the specialist recommends.

  • Does it affect my driving?

    It might. Certain diagnoses affect fitness to drive and require DVLA notification. The specialist will advise clearly, in writing, based on your findings.

  • What about the DVLA - who tells them?

    You do. It is a legal duty to notify the DVLA of a relevant diagnosis. We give you the paperwork and explain the process.

  • How quickly do I get the results?

    MoCA and full cognitive assessments are interpreted and explained in the same visit. Neuropsychology reports take 10–14 days.

  • When should I see a GP urgently instead?

    If cognition has changed markedly over days or weeks, or is accompanied by new neurological symptoms - weakness, speech disturbance, seizures - go to your GP or A&E rather than book a private screen.

Related tests

Looking for something else?

In practice, in London

Getting cognitive moca sorted in London, without the guesswork

With cognitive moca, the London question is usually about report turnaround and the radiologist reading it - not whether the scan is available. On the NHS, cognitive moca typically sits behind a triage step and a wait that can stretch from a few weeks into months. In London’s private sector, the same appointment often lands within days. That speed matters when symptoms are disrupting work, sleep, or a plan you’d already committed to - and it’s the single most common reason people call us in the first place.

In practice, a private cognitive moca appointment in London means a named consultant, a proper hour in the room (or the equivalent on a video call), and a report you can actually read. Most of the imaging suites and endoscopy units we use sit within a mile of Harley Street or in Chelsea and Fulham, and turnaround on findings is measured in days, not weeks. For cognitive moca specifically, the difference between a routine report and a sub-speciality read is where private care earns its keep.

There are dozens of consultants in London who see cognitive moca - but not all of them are the right fit for every case. The right first appointment saves you from repeating yourself later.