The report is being released ahead of Brain Awareness Week, which is globally observed from March 10 to 16 to increase public awareness of the progress and benefits of brain research
Ivory, an early-stage brain health startup, has released its latest report, Brain Health Primer on India, shedding light on the state of cognitive well-being in the country. By leveraging neuroscience-based assessments, Ivory is pioneering early detection of cognitive decline, empowering individuals to proactively safeguard their brain health and extend their health span.
The report is being released ahead of Brain Awareness Week, which is globally observed from March 10 to 16 to increase public awareness of the progress and benefits of brain research.
Over six months, Ivory conducted two assessments to evaluate cognitive health, each with varying degrees of sensitivity and specificity. The first is a seven-minute mini-assessment using neuroscience-based games to determine a user’s cognitive age. The second is an FDA-registered health and lifestyle assessment, a 35-40 minute evaluation, featuring 17 interactive games designed to analyse cognitive function across five key domains: Attention, Memory, Reasoning, Coordination, and Perception.
Dr Anoop Amarnath, Geriatrician and Clinical Advisor to Ivory, emphasised the importance of early cognitive assessments, stating, “With India’s ageing population and rising lifestyle-related diseases, early detection of cognitive decline is crucial. Ivory’s Brain Health Primer report highlights the urgent need to integrate cognitive health screening into routine check-ups, enabling timely interventions for better brain health outcomes.”
The findings from 102 participants who took the clinical-grade Assessment, revealed critical insights into factors affecting cognitive health in India:
● Mental Health Impact: Approximately one in four participants reported suffering from psychological concerns (anxiety, depression, PTSD and mild cognitive impairment). On an average these participants scored 15 per cent lower on the FDA-Registered Cognitive Assessments than those without any psychological conditions
● Skills Ranking: Data in the report notes that participants scored above average on skills linked to Attention and Memory when compared to skills linked to Coordination and Perception
● Lifestyle Diseases & Cognitive Function: 71 per cent of participants had at least one pre-existing clinical risk factor for Dementia, with hypertension and diabetes being the most prevalent.
● Social Isolation & Cognitive Decline: 40 per cent of respondents lived alone, correlating with 50% reporting less than adequate cognitive stimulation in their day-to-day living. This is significant as loneliness, isolation and lack of cognitive stimulation are linked to cognitive decline according to multiple studies.
● Nutritional Deficiency: The study also observed insufficient Omega-3 consumption among participants, despite research indicating its essential role in brain health and longevity.
● Cognitive Age vs. Real Age: On the shorter Cognitive Age test linked to Concentration, 39 per cent of participants showed deviations in cognitive age, with 32 per cent reflecting a cognitive age older than their actual age.
“Our findings underscore that even in a young nation like India, a significant at-risk population exists. This is a call to action,” said Issac John, Co-founder and CEO, Ivory. “Prevention remains our strongest ally, and technology today allows for early detection and intervention.”
Rahul Krishnan, Co-Founder and CPO, Ivory, stated, “Brain health needs to be prioritised just like physical health. Early detection and proactive care can help individuals maintain cognitive function for longer, ensuring a healthier and more independent life.”
