脳検

Don’t want to get dementia definitely! It is essential to take measures against dementia and mild cognitive impairment from an early age (after the 40s). First let’s take measures based on the Brain Assessment.

Introduction ~ Mechanism of dementia ~ The pre-symptomatic stage of dementia
cannot be detected by the current
medical tests.

01What is dementia exactly?

According to a report by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Japan (2014), in Japan the number of dementia patients is estimated to be about 4.6 million and the number of patients with mild cognitive impairment that is considered to be the pre-stage of dementia, is estimated to be 4 million, which means that one in four people over the age of 65 has dementia or mild cognitive impairment. It is said that there are 6 million dementia patients in 2020 and the number will rise to 7 million by 2025.

The state such as "I struggle with the words when having conversations" and "I can't remember what I was trying to do" which happen daily merely indicate the aging of the brain.

If you have dementia, your ability to recognize, remember and judge will be impaired, which will lead to the condition such as "I don't remember having the meal" or "I don't know where I am."

Dementia is a disease that cannot be cured completely once a person begins to have symptoms. No effective treatment has been found yet. It is extremely important to take measures while the brain is in a healthy state.

02Can’t be assured that one does not have dementia even have the brain
checked out with MRI

For example, even if you have the brain checked out with MRI, no symptoms of dementia can be discovered.

When the shrinkage of brain is detected by brain MRI, dementia has already progressed to the stage that one can no longer walk to the hospital.

It should not be considered as "I have the brain MRI already, so I need not worry about dementia". The decline of cognitive function progresses and quite a few people get dementia.

03 Mechanism of dementia

As we grow older, our brain functions (cognitive function) decline. For example, we can't remember the name of things or forget completely what we are trying to do right now.
Mechanism of Dementia
Mechanism of dementia

The light blue line indicating "aging" in the figure shows how the cognitive function of the brain declines with age. In other words, it represents that the "age-appropriate forgetfulness" is progressing.

However, the condition should be considered serious when the line drops rapidly like the red curve from the place of the orange circle mark, which indicates the occurrence of dementia or the pre-state of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). As mentioned earlier, the condition will be judged as "normal" in medical institutions. However, the progress has already begun actually.

04“Brain Assessment” is applied to build the awareness for dementia

Mechanism of Dementia
“Brain Assessment.” is applied to build the awareness for dementia

It is essential to know whether your cognitive function is declining. The important thing is to check if the level of your cognitive function has changed compared with your own generation, which works for both for those who are good at learning and those who are not.

It is very important to regularly check whether your cognitive function is normal aging or not, rather than comparing with others.

This test is to grasp the current status and changes of cognitive function by comparing with sample data. However, it can not be used as a medical diagnosis of dementia or mild cognitive impairment, nor is it a training tool to prevent their onset.

Introduction of question examples

01Memory of numbers

Memory of numbers1
Memory of numbers1

The questions for testing the memory of numbers are to memorize the numbers in a row and answer the memorized numbers on the next page from left to right or from right to left. The number will be 3 digits at first and increase gradually.

The activation of temporal lobe (side of the head, above the ears) and trends such as Alzheimer's disease can be detected by testing the short-term memory.

02Memory of words

Memory of numbers1

The questions for testing the memory of words are to memorize six words and resolve a few other questions after memorizing the words. The words presented later should be answered whether are among the six words you have memorized. It starts with simple words and the words will become difficult, such as conceptual words.

03Visuospatial abilities

Memory of numbers1

The questions for testing the visuospatial abilities are to select the different one among several rotated three-dimensional objects made of building blocks. It starts with simple shape and the three-dimensional objects will be complicated with the number of blocks increased gradually.

The activation of occipital lobes (top of the head) and trends such as Lewy Bodies can be detected by testing the visuospatial abilities.

04Memory and calculationMemory and calculation

Memory and calculation1
Memory and calculation2

Memorize the numbers that appear on the screen and add them to the numbers displayed on the next screen. Repeat the addition of the two numbers before and after. It starts by adding the number one before and will be harder by adding the numbers two or three before.

The activation of frontal lobes (anterior side of the head) and trends such as Pick's disease and vascular dementia can be detected by testing the memory and calculation.

05Change reasoning

Change reasoning

The reasoning for change refers to predict the change of shape which varies according to the rules and test the ability to decipher the rules. It starts with only one change of shape and will be complicated with two or three changes in shape simultaneously.

The activation of frontal lobes (anterior side of the head) and trends such as Pick's disease and vascular dementia can be detected by testing the ability to decipher the rules.

The result of the test will be displayed right awayIntroduction of result displaying screen examples

01Overall brain age

Overall brain age

The brain age can be calculated based on the results of each of the five subtests. In addition, the overall brain age can be obtained by taking all 5 subtests.

Different people have subtests that they are good at or not, so please do not concern too much about the result of one subtest and take all the subtests as soon as possible. It is also considered that women have lower level of visuospatial abilities and men are not good at memorizing words.

Brain age is displayed between the ages from 25 to 95. If it is displayed as 25 or 95 years old, please refer to the deviation value.

02The previous results and the future target values

The previous results and the future target values

The transition of results so far can be seen in this graph.
The graph also shows the tendency of change in the future. The blue line indicates "average value by age group", it is suggested to aim to reach the value above this line.

In addition, it is generally considered to be “normal aging” if the transition is parallel to the blue line. Measures should be taken if the value is found to be decrease sharply below the blue line.

03Future measures

The transition of results so far can be seen in this graph.

Plenty of information necessary to maintain and improve the level of brain function (cognitive function) are posted.

If you click "View the details" respectively, you will find information on what kind of physical exercises are suitable for you and what kind of meal you should eat.

In addition, the programs of affiliated fitness gyms recommended by brain assessment, outing information and videos of " Research Institute of Brain Activation " (aerobics) are posted for those who cannot go to the gym.

Excerpt from a large number of inquiries receivedFrequently asked questions

Is it difficult to operate?

All the questions are selection-type items. You can choose the answer just by operating the mouse and touching. In addition, as there are practice questions before the test starts, you can rest assured to take the test after understanding the contents gradually.

What should I do if the result is bad?

There is no need to worry about cognitive function at current stage if you can "answer properly" to this Brain Assessment. If your brain age is considerably older than your actual age, or if the deviation is significantly lower, please take the test from the practice questions once again. You may take the meaning of the questions in the wrong way. In addition, since only certain subtest may be very low, please take all the 5 items and get the overall brain age.

A little attention should be paid if the overall brain age is 95 and the comprehensive deviation is 30 or less. It is highly likely that you will not be judged as dementia at this stage even if you go to a medical institution, however, it is recommended to have aerobic exercise at least three times a week and strive to maintain and improve cognitive function.

A little attention should be paid if the overall brain age is 95 and the comprehensive deviation is 30 or less. It is highly likely that you will not be judged as dementia at this stage even if you go to a medical institution, however, it is recommended to have aerobic exercise at least three times a week and strive to maintain and improve cognitive function.

What's different from the dementia test?

The dementia test and dementia inspection are tests applied by medical institutions to judge "whether or not people have dementia." The oral questions such as " what date is it today" and "Where is this place?" that can be answered by individuals in normal state will be given. The people who can not answer the questions that can be answered easily by anyone should be judged as dementia or mild cognitive impairment. The problem here is the dementia test can be cleared without any problems even though cognitive function is declining. As medical institution is a place to judge an illness and give the treatment, the situation will be judged as "normal" or "wait and see how it goes for a while". However, the cognitive function has been declining. It should be considered that there is a high risk of dementia in the near future if it is left without any treatment.

The Brain Assessment is not a test to judge whether people have dementia, but a test to check if the normal condition is maintained properly. It is not a judgement test used by the medical institution to determine with the standard that “you are sick if you can’t do it”, but is a inspection (test) to check “if the condition is maintained properly comparing with your usual self and your own generation” or “whether your cognitive function has declined even in the situations that you are judged as normal”.

What is different from a brain training game or a drill?

The latest research indicates that no effect on improving cognitive function in the brain has been made clear with measures taken to train the activities of brain. The Brain Assessment is not a "training" to improve the cognitive function by taking it over and over again, but rather a test to periodically know the state of brain while paying attention to nutritional balance and doing physical exercises.

How often should I take the assessment?

The Brain Assessment is a half-year membership system allowing you to take the test as many times as you like within half a year. Since it is important to grasp the decline in cognitive function, it is considered essential to take the test at least once every six months, preferably once every three months and check how it progresses.

Co-developer of Brain Assessment

Masayuki Satoh, M.D./Ph.D
National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology
Center for Comprehensive Care and Research on Memory Disorders

PC, tablet, smartphoneOperating environment

パソコン・タブレット

PC and tablet

  • Windows

    10 or later
    (4GB memory or more)

    • Latest edition of Google Chromes

  • Macintosh

    OS X

    • Latest edition of Safari
    • Latest edition of Google Chrome

    ※The test can not be operated on the Ipad prior to the 2nd generation.

スマートフォン

Smartphone

  • Android

    Android 12.0 or later

    • Latest edition of Google Chrome

  • iOS

    iOS 16.0 or later

    • Latest edition of Safari
    • Latest edition of Google Chrome

Image resolution: 1400px or higher
Depending on the terminal size, etc. Part of the display may collapse.