BrainCheck

 

Aug 21, 2024–Name as many animals as you can, in one minute.

Congratulations, you just helped researchers calibrate a digital test for brain health.

Recently I set an appointment to help Austin-based BrainCheck conduct such a research study.

A polite gentleman named Liam led our small group through a series of cognitive assessments. He was not testing us, but rather gathering data to aid in measuring cognitive function by categories.

Variables included:

– sleep habits

– alcohol consumption

– participation in religious worship

– exercise frequency

– frequency of social interaction

– use of electronic devices

In addition, we were asked about recent episodes of depression, sadness, or anxiety, along with any physical conditions such as hypertension or diabetes.

Then the games began!

The tests were fun. Using a touch pad, we were instructed to press a series of numbers and letters in sequence, match 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional shapes, repeat back reversed strings of numbers, and other challenges.

This experience might be familiar to anyone who has gone through their official Medicare physical screening. That is one purpose of this study: to calibrate norms for different ages and demographic groups for BrainCheck’s digital cognitive screening and assessment tools.

“BrainCheck offers clinically proven digital versions of commonly used screeners,” said Jessica Burns, Sr. Director of Content & Communications for BrainCheck. “These are trusted tools that many doctors are already using, but by digitizing them, we’re making them more sensitive and objective

More than seven million Americans are currently unaware they are living with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Without intervention, the trajectory could be “concerning,” according to Burns.

“Up to 30% of these people could develop dementia or Alzheimer’s disease in the next five years,” she stated. “That’s why BrainCheck encourages people to take a proactive approach to cognitive health. If impairment is caught early, simple lifestyle changes can make a big difference, such as diet and exercise, getting your hearing and vision checked, and socialization. These are things everyone can do.”

So our playing around was helping set performance standards for adults according to the demographic information we provided.

“The study that you participated in was to help build our normative database,” Burns said. “When a patient goes to their doctor and takes the test, their score is compared against their peers. This not only provides a more accurate score, it provides additional context, rather than just a number. It gives the doctor more information and puts the broader population at their fingertips.”

Another test involved seeing a series of unrelated words–soda, government, light bulb, construction, for example. Later, we were shown random words and asked if they were on the original list of 10.

One exercise required us to draw the numbers on the face of a clock. Then we had to draw in the hands that showed a specific time, let’s say “10 minutes before 11:00.” By using an old-fashioned analog clock, you can discern the age range this test targets.

It ain’t easy. I don’t care if you are a sexagenarian or a 16-year-old.

I must admit, I experienced the test anxiety of someone who hadn’t faced a consequential exam since taking the Texas Driver’s License written test as a teenager. I’m not sure I could even pass that again.

There were no consequences or grades, but they recommend for anyone who has memory concerns to ask their personal care provider for a cognitive test.

I managed to walk out with my dignity and the feeling I represented my age cohort respectably. Plus a $40 gift card.

I wasn’t too cognitively impaired to forget that.

To participate in a future BrainCheck study, email study@braincheck.com or call 888-874-1847.