How it Works
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU BOOK
Say Hi!
Book an appointment, meet your personal guide for the journey
Meet your care team
Meet your doctor and other professionals who have the time and expertise to make a difference
Manage memory loss
Guided by latest treatment guidelines, we provide comprehensive care — incl. cognitive therapy or medications
THE ISAAC BRAIN HEALTH AND MEMORY TRAINING PROGRAM
- Memory and cognitive training: Cycles of 6 – 12 sessions of 40 minutes in a 1:1 coaching format to improve your memory to the level of a hobby memory champion
- Full risk assessment across the majority of known risk factors for dementia
- Cognitive assessment and ongoing monitoring of cognitive function
- Optional medical consultation for advice on minimizing your personal risk (paid by insurance or separately)
- Care team access and advice – all your questions answered
Did You Know That?
years
Around 40% of dementia cases may be prevented or delayed?
1 in 3 older adults will develop dementia during their life?
Targeted cognitive training can have a significant impact on memory and thinking 10 years down the line?
18% of cases are still preventable in later life
years
Targeted cognitive training can have a significant impact on memory and thinking 10 years down the line?
18% of cases are still preventable in later life
The risk factors of dementia
- Over 40% of dementia cases are potentially preventable by addressing risk factors
- 18% of cases are still preventable in later life
Modified from: https://www.thelancet.com/article/S0140-6736(20)30367-6/fulltext;
Cognitive training is effective
The ACTIVE study and other research have concluded that cognitive and memory training has a significant long term impact on improving cognition and activities of daily living.
In the ACTIVE study, 10 sessions of memory, reasoning or speed training were administered. The impact on cognition and activities of daily living was significant even 10 years later (with boosters).
The Isaac Health brain health and memory training program is based on the ACTIVE study protocol, enhanced with additional knowledge gained since.
Our Assessment PROCESS
Diagnosing dementia and identifying the type is challenging. It requires a combination of tests, specialist medical expertise, as well as input from the patient or caregiver.
To diagnose the cause of the dementia, a specialist doctor must recognize the pattern of the loss of skills and function and determine what a person is still able to do. More recently, additional tests have become available to make a more accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.
The American Association of Neurologists emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis, as it can help with identifying reversible forms of cognitive impairment and help physicians with monitoring certain conditions.
No single test can diagnose dementia, so our doctors are likely to run a number of tests that can help pinpoint the problem. At Isaac Health, we go through a set of simple steps to get to a diagnosis.
GETTING STARTED
Cognitive and Neuropsychological Tests
We will evaluate your thinking ability. A number of tests measure thinking skills, such as memory, orientation, reasoning and judgment, language skills, and attention. A mental health professional can determine whether depression or another mental health condition is contributing to your symptoms.
Neurological evaluation
Doctors evaluate your memory, language, visual perception, attention, problem-solving, movement, senses, balance, reflexes and other areas.
Brain scans and laboratory tests
CT or MRI. These scans can check for evidence of stroke or bleeding or tumor or hydrocephalus. PET scans. These can show patterns of brain activity and whether the amyloid or tau protein, hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease, have been deposited in the brain. Simple blood tests can detect physical problems that can affect brain function, such as vitamin B-12 deficiency or an underactive thyroid gland. Sometimes the spinal fluid is examined for infection, inflammation or markers of some degenerative diseases.
Diagnosis and treatment planning
Your doctor will discuss your diagnosis with you, as well as the best treatment options available. See our page on treatment for what some potential options may include.
DIFFERENT FORMS OF DEMENTIA
Lewy body dementia is a progressive neurodegenerative disease caused by the deposition of abnormal proteins, called alpha-synuclein, in the brain. The alpha-synuclein clusters result in chemical changes in the brain, leading to symptoms such as abnormal movements, difficulty with thought process, and behavior.
Sometimes it is difficult to diagnose this type of dementia since the symptoms overlap with Alzheimer’s and schizophrenia symptoms. The abnormal movements are similar to those in Parkinson disease, and so this is considered a “Parkinson plus” syndrome. Therefore, evaluation by memory disorder and movement disorder specialists can help reach the correct diagnosis.
DEMENTIA TREATMENT
While a cure for dementia is still underway, there are medication and non-medication treatments that can help alleviate symptoms and slow cognitive decline. In addition, coordinated care with input from brain health experts plays an important role in optimizing overall brain health.
To maximize quality of life and independent functioning, treatments are directed at helping delay cognitive decline. The importance of delaying cognitive decline cannot be understated, especially in cases like dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease where delaying the onset by just 5 years could reduce your risk of getting it by 50%.
MEDICATION TREATMENTS
The main class of drugs currently used for the treatment of AD are acetylcholinesterase/ cholinesterase inhibitors. The three main medications that belong to this therapeutic class are donepezil, rivastigmine, and galantamine.
Cholinesterase inhibitors work by preventing the breakdown of acetylcholine, a chemical messenger that is important for memory and learning, thereby supporting communication between nerve cells. Donepezil is approved to treat all stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Rivastigmine is used for the treatment of mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s as well as mild-to-moderate dementia associated with Parkinson’s disease. Galantamine, just like rivastigmine, is approved for mild-to-moderate stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
Another medication often used is memantine, which is partially inhibits NMDA receptors in the brain. NMDA receptors serve as mediators of neuronal injury associated with many neurological disorders that include ischemia, brain trauma, neurodegenerative disorders and dementia. Memantine is approved for moderate to severe AD and is being studied for alleviating other causes of cognitive decline like vascular dementia.
NON-MEDICATION TREATMENTS
Non-pharmacological treatments have been shown to be as effective as pharmacological treatments in many cases. Besides addressing the risk factors of Alzheimer’s Disease and other causes of dementia, cognitive therapy (CT) is an effective form of treatment provided by speech language pathologists.
CT uses theme-based, mentally stimulating activities aimed to improve cognitive function. CT is designed to train specific parts of the brain, build cognitive reserve, and teach compensatory techniques to minimize the impact of cognitive decline on activities of daily living. It often works well in individuals with mild to moderate dementia as well in those with mild cognitive impairment.
The evidence is practical. In a data report by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) assessing outpatient change in functional communication measures (like memory, spoken language, problem solving, and more), almost 72% of participants in cognitive treatment sessions experienced at least one level of improvement.[1]
[1] American Speech-Language-Hearing Association National Outcomes Measurement Association. (2019). (rep). Adults in Healthcare – Outpatient 2019 (p. 36).
MONITORING AND SURVEILLANCE
Monitoring and surveillance through cognitive assessments is a great way to track progression for diseases like Alzheimer’s. If one is concerned about changes in memory or experiences problems with thinking, it is always a great idea to consult a specialist like the brain health experts at Isaac Health.
FAQs
Research has shown that almost half of dementia cases are potentially preventable by addressing known risk factors. These include both general health factors, environmental factors, medication, and mental activity. At MyIsaacHealth.com we will guide you to identify the risk factors most relevant to you and help you address them. We will also help you boost cognitive function through memory training and coaching. In isolated cases, certain medications may be indicated to control risk factors or boost cognitive function.
While there is a pipeline of potential medications to slow disease progression, there is currently limited medical treatment available. However, there are a few classes of drugs available to slow cognitive decline. See our section on treatment for details. In addition, cognitive interventions, such as cognitive stimulation therapy, has been shown in many cases to be as effective as medications in slowing cognitive decline, building cognitive reserve, and developing compensatory techniques to support living with cognitive decline. Finally, addressing risk factors and maintaining a high level of social and brain activity are the great ways to protect yourself.
Our diagnosis and treatment programs are covered by many forms of insurance. See our section on network coverage for details. For pricing without insurance coverage, see our packages.
Our care team consists of Neurologists, other brain health doctors, psychologists, speech-language therapists, memory coaches and care coordinators.
While in many cases a family physician or neurologist may have sent you our way, you are welcome to sign up without a referral
If your have health insurance, most of our services will be covered under the terms and conditions of your policy. For prices without health insurance, please see our packages.
Our prevention program is available everywhere. We offer all services in New York, North Carolina, and Florida. Individual services are available also in other States – please feel free to call us for advice.
We chose the name “Isaac Health” because it reminds us of three things: one of the most influential brains in human history (Sir Isaac Newton), the longest-lived Biblical figure (Isaac, who lived to 180 years old), and that he name “Isaac” literally means “one who laughs or rejoices”. Our name represents what we ultimately hope to achieve for the people we serve through our mission to promote and preserve brain health: a long, fulfilling life with many moments of genius and joy.
Your question is not covered here? Please contact us.
