Thomas. P. O’Neill, President & CEO The healthcare system tests routinely for conditions such as cervical cancer, diabetes, cholesterol, colon cancer, etc, but there is no consistent standard of care around cognitive health testing. Cognitive testing is often performed too late when cognitive functions are moderate or severely impaired. In addition, current cognitive testing consists of simple decades-old tests performed either with paper and pencil or embedded in a computer.

Cognitive impairment is not a normal part of aging. As we know, cognitive issues are the hallmark of Dementias, eg. Alzheimer’s Disease, Lewy Body’s, Vascular and others. Alzheimer’s disease is a significant, growing issue for the entire healthcare system and directly affects patients, caregivers, providers and payers. Over 5.7 million people are living with Alzheimer’s Disease and the number is expected to triple by 2050. While there is no cure, early diagnosis and proper disease management are key to patient’s overall health and quality of life. Studies show that a healthy diet, exercise, occupational therapy and other lifestyle changes involving patients and caregivers may potentially delay disease progression. The earlier the testing, the earlier the patient is diagnosed and managed appropriately.

It is important to note that cognitive impairment may also occur as a result of a variety of treatable underlying conditions such as type-2 diabetes and other cardio vascular and metabolic issues, sleep disorders, depression, chronic pain, post-concussion, post-stroke, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, ADHD, autism, among others. Also, is known to be a result of long-term poor life style choices such as substance abuse, sedentarism and unhealthy diets. Again, the earlier the patient is tested, the early the physician may intervene.

This is where Cognivue brings tremendous value. It is a state-of-the art cognitive risk assessment test that objectively, quantitatively, and reliably identifies changes in cognitive function when intervention and management can make a difference. Better management and planning fosters better patient outcomes and lower patient costs: less complications, unanticipated visits and expenses.

Cognivue is the first FDA cleared computerized cognitive test for patients aged 55 - 95 years old. It is based on adaptive psychophysics technology and years of research focusing on early detection of late-life cognitive decline (LLCD) and dementia. The technology is devised in a way that uniquely calibrates each individual’s motor and visual abilities and continuously adapts to the patient’s performance providing a customized test specifically for each patient.

The current, most used, cognitive tests are performed and scored by a healthcare professional, and whether in the original paper and pencil form or embedded on an iPad or computer, brings several issues related to human error, subjectivity and confounding factors including environment and cheating. Cognivue’s technology changes this landscape with a rapid and objective ten minutes test, eliminating subjectivity and environmental confounders.