Most of us have heard of the terms endoscopy and colonoscopy, procedures in which doctors use tools to look inside various parts of the body to gather information and make diagnoses.
Dr. Dale Bredesen, a renowned physician and researcher in memory loss and neurodegenerative disease, coined the term “cognoscopy.” Just like colonoscopies are utilized for the early detection of colon cancer, a cognoscopy can identify changes in the brain long before the symptoms of memory loss manifest. A cognoscopy uses a combination of laboratory testing, cognitive testing and brain imaging to look inside the brain and accumulate large amounts of information about brain health and function.
At The Memory Center, we utilize these tools on individuals with memory, speech or thought problems to aid in early identification. Furthermore, since the changes in the brain that lead to these problems start to occur decades before symptoms appear, we can use a cognoscopy on healthy individuals — those with a family history or other risk factors such as chronic disease or inflammation — to assess risk and more crucially, early intervention.
A cognoscopy starts with a comprehensive set of bloodwork. We test for genetic risk factors associated with dementia as well as a wide array of biomarkers, which can reveal abnormal biological processes associated with changes in the brain that lead to problems with memory, speech or thought. Along with these, we test for a number of chronic illnesses, chronic infections and measure levels of toxins, as these are all known risk factors for the development of dementia.
Next, we undergo a series of diagnostic cognitive tests to assess memory, information processing, speech and executive function. This includes objective questionnaires and state-of-the-art testing that measures and analyzes the electrical activity of the brain. We utilize various imaging modalities to evaluate the blood vessels that nourish the brain, as well as the brain itself. We use ultrasounds to look at the main blood vessels that flow into the brain, as narrowing or blockages in these arteries restricts blood flow into the brain. Reduced blood flow is a known cause of dementia. Next, we order a volumetric MRI which looks in detail at the various parts of the brain to look for shrinking and other abnormalities. We also utilize a unique PET scan to look for amyloid plaques in the brain, given that build up of this protein is a hallmark finding in Alzheimer’s dementia.
A cognoscopy is a simple yet comprehensive diagnostic evaluation tool that gives us a remarkable amount of information. Whether you are concerned about your memory or are a relative of someone with difficulties with memory, speech or thinking, we urge you to visit us.
The most vital aspect of a cognoscopy, which gives us a breadth of information, is that it allows for early identification of changes in the brain. These changes start to occur decades before symptoms appear. Early action can have immeasurable effects on your long-term health and quality of life. We recommend a cognoscopy at age 60 for all individuals, or at age 50 for any individual with a family history of memory problems.
For more information, visit us at 401A South Van Brunt St., Englewood, suite 302, or call us at (201) 947-4777, or visit memorycenter.org for more information.
