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Risk Assessment
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Blood Biomarkers

Help identify underlying risks and potential causes of cognitive decline and track changes to your brain health over time  

blood draw at lab

Blood Biomarkers Tests

There are many causes of cognitive decline. Our series of blood tests is designed to better understand your overall risk factors and potential causes of cognitive problems, and to track changes over time.  

If initial testing indicates that risk factors are significant, we may recommend a neurologist chart review and testing for biomarkers specific to Alzheimer’s disease, which can appear in blood 10-20 years before the onset of symptoms. This is not a diagnostic test to determine if you have Alzheimer’s, but to identify early biomarkers that scientific literature suggests may be important to track over time. 

Biomarker testing requires BrainHealth Membership. 

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What to Expect

Requires BrainHealth Membership

1
Order online
Order online and receive an email with a blood test request form for a local lab.
2
Schedule Lab Visit
Schedule an appointment with a lab location near you.
3
Collect your sample
Our lab partner will draw your blood and send the sample to the CLIA-certified laboratory. If you select biobanking, our lab will keep a portion of your plasma for long term storage.
4
Schedule Appointment
Schedule a phone consultation with our BrainHealth Educator to discuss your test result, potential ways to mitigate your risk factors, and next steps.
  • Why This Test Is Helpful
  • What This Test Measures
  • Who This Test Is For
  • What This Test Includes

Why This Test Is Helpful

  • Early detection and tracking of biomarkers allows you to be proactive in preventing or delaying cognitive symptoms. 

  • Individual and combinations of biomarkers help potentially identify causes of cognitive decline.

  • With early detection of biomarkers, lifestyle changes can be implemented in order to potentially help slow or stop memory loss and cognitive decline.

  • Since only limited evidence is available to support the potential efficacy of memory-support supplements, repetitive biomarker testing can help determine whether these supplements are effective or not. 

  • Biomarker documentation may help with access to some clinical trials.

What This Test Measures

The initial blood tests measure biomarkers for cardiovascular, metabolic, inflammatory, and nutritional risk factors. If risk factors are significant, we may recommend a Neurologist chart review and subsequent testing for biomarkers related to Alzheimer’s disease.  

These tests are designed to detect the β-amyloid peptides, phosphorylated tau and neurofilament light (NfL) proteins in biological fluids. Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the accumulation of extracellular amyloid plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. The major components of the amyloid deposits are the 40- and 42- amino acid-long β-amyloid peptides. The neurofibrillary tangles are made up of paired helical filaments composed mainly of abnormally hyperphosphorylated Tau protein (pTau). The combination of decreased concentrations of β-amyloid42/β-amyloid40 ratio and increased concentrations of total pTau is considered to be a pathological biomarker signature in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that is diagnostic for Alzheimer’s disease. Current research indicates plasma β-amyloid42/β-amyloid40 ratio has the potential to be used in clinical settings to predict brain β-amyloid burden.

Neurofilaments can be released into circulation due to neural injury or neurodegeneration. Elevated blood neurofilament light levels have been associated with traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, frontotemporal dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Who This Test Is For

Biomarker testing is a simple blood draw that is cost-effective and is easy to administer. The test is for anyone with memory complaints, risk factors, or for those who are concerned about their family history and want to be proactive about their brain health. For those taking memory-support supplements, or already following an exercise, diet, and sleep regimen, it may also help objectively assess those interventions' impact.

What The Test Includes

  • Order for blood collection at a lab location near you

  • CLIA Certified Clinical Laboratory processing

  • Digital and printable results to share with your family and healthcare provider

  • Follow-up consultation with a BrainHealth Educator

Biomarker Testing is Proactive

Currently, one in three people die with Alzheimer's or another form of dementia, but signs can appear in the blood 10-20 years before onset, and science now shows that disease progress can be slowed if detected early.

Cognitive decline can sometimes look like Alzheimer’s disease, but may have another cause that is treatable such as vitamin B12 deficiency, hypothyroidism, hypoglycemia, amongst others. If you have risk factors or a family history of neurodegenerative diseases, biomarker testing allows you to proactively measure the impact of preventative measures, including lifestyle changes.

Microscopic rendering of blood in vessel

Review Your Results with a BrainHealth Educator

Each blood biomarker test includes a consultation with a BrainHealth Educator to review your results, discuss any changes to your data over time, and help you identify lifestyle changes—such as improved nutrition, sleep, and exercise—to improve your health and potentially prevent cognitive decline. 

brain health consultation

FAQs

What will my test tell me? The BrainHealth report will convey your biomarker levels at that point in time and if longitudinal tests are performed, show you the trend. The test will provide information that you can use to track your changes and convey results to your health care providers.
Are my results secure? Our online portal delivers secure and confidential test results, with the highest certification standards for data security and privacy. Our platform is HIPAA-compliant, SOC 2 certified, PIPEDA-compliant, PCI-certified, and GDPR-compliant. Results will never be shared with third parties or outside sources without your consent.
Are the labs certified? The lab is CLIA-certified (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments). This means they have to meet high standards to obtain both state and federal certifications and submit to regular inspections.
Additional reading & information

Scientific papers about neurodegenerative biomarkers:

Current state of Alzheimer’s fluid biomarkers

Moving fluid biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease from research tools to routine clinical diagnostics

 

The laboratory services are for informational purposes only. It is not the intention of NeuroVision Imaging, Inc. and contractors to provide specific medical advice but rather to provide users with information to better understand their health. Specific medical advice including diagnosis and treatment will not be provided. Always seek the advice of a trained health professional for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Both the physician and the testing laboratory are independent contractors with whom NeuroVision Imaging, Inc. makes arrangements for your blood tests. Neither NeuroVision Imaging, Inc. nor contractors will be liable for any acts or omissions of the physician, the testing laboratory, or their agents or employees.