A new test will determine brain health

Many people worry about the health and functionality of their brain as they age, and now there’s a test at the Banner Sun Health Research Institute to determine your brain’s health.

“What you do today and how proactive you are really affects your health in the next several years,” said the director of Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Dr. Alireza Atri.  The test can determine your Alzheimer’s Disease risk.

Alzheimer’s is the most prevalent form of dementia, and it negatively impacts mental functions and memory. “As people age, just like anything else, there are changes in the body that affect the brain. There are also diseases and conditions that can affect the brain. Everyone is worried about Alzheimer’s Disease, which we appreciate. The process itself starts 20 to 30 years sometimes, even before people will show major symptoms,” said Dr. Atri.

The test is non-medical, and it’s called the Brain Health Check-In program. It was created to help people be aware of their brain health. “We don’t ask medical questions about the background and medical history, because we don’t want that to be part of the assessment. We just want the assessment to be pure.” said Dr. Atri.

If you take the test, you’ll be asked a series of questions. “You will answer some questions about whether you have concerns about changes in your thinking and memory and other abilities, also questions about mood and how you’re engaged with life at this time. You’ll be asked to remember something. You’ll get distracted. You’ll have to keep information on line. You’ll have to copy things, and the results of those things are norms, in the sense that we have a basic data regarding how people generally perform at certain ages and educations,” said Dr. Atri.

The process takes an hour, and you’ll be given a color-coded chart with your results.

“I really enjoyed it,” said a patient who took the test, Bill Bain. “I learned so much from the test and how she explained it on how I can make myself, and I’ve got a lot of years left.”

There is no cure for Alzheimer’s, but there are measures you can take to slow down its progression.

“Don’t be bold, don’t be brave and don’t be foolish,” said Bain. “If you have problems, admit it and take care of it.”

The test is meant to target those age 50 or older, but anyone can take it. It’s recommended that you make an appointment. Some measures to prevent Alzheimer’s include: exercising, maintaining a healthy diet and healthy weight, and refraining from smoking.

Click here for more information on the Brain Health Check-In