When was the last time you tested your brain?

The brain is a fascinating, highly complex organ that serves as the control center of the human body. It is responsible for processing sensory information, regulating body functions, and coordinating movement and behavior.

The brain is made up of billions of neurons that communicate with each other through electrical and chemical signals, forming complex neural networks that enable the brain to carry out its many functions.

Despite decades of research, much about the brain remains a mystery, and ongoing studies continue to shed light on the intricacies of this remarkable organ.

Brain Awareness Week

Each year, on the third week of March, Brain Awareness Week brings attention to the progress of brain research and educates people about the the amazing things it can do. It is also a way to encourage individuals to take an interest in their brain health and support ongoing research efforts to advance our understanding of the organ and improve treatments.

Cognitive decline is a natural part of aging and can affect various aspects of our mental functioning, including memory, attention, and problem-solving skills.

While some decline is expected, severe cognitive impairment can interfere with daily activities and reduce our quality of life.

Therefore, monitoring our cognitive abilities and identifying any changes that may require medical attention is important.

Regular cognitive testing can help detect signs of decline and facilitate early interventions to slow or manage cognitive decline. With technological advances, researchers can use various tools to measure brain activity, including functional magnetic resonance imaging.

This technique uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed brain images with evaluation of the organ’s network activity.

Another way of looking on the brain electrical activity is by electroencephalography, non-invasive technology that records electrical activity in the brain. It can be used to measure brainwave patterns and identify abnormal activity.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation is a non-invasive technique that uses magnetic fields to stimulate the brain. It can temporarily disrupt or enhance neural activity in specific brain areas to investigate their role in cognitive functions.

The known Magnetic Resonance Imaging is a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the brain. It can be used to identify structural abnormalities and if includes perfusion changes it can indicate brain activity. Monitoring this organ’s activity under virtual reality scripts or certain cognitive tasks can also be used to test cognitive functions and brain activity in a simulated environment. For example, it can test spatial awareness, reaction times, and decision-making skills.

Unfortunately, most people do not regularly monitor their brain function, often waiting until they experience significant functional decline, which may be too late. While factors such as limited access to technology or high costs may contribute to this issue, the primary cause is typically a lack of awareness or a reluctance to learn about potential concerns. It is now known that Alzheimer’s disease and dementia can manifest up to 20-25 years before clinical diagnosis.

Early detection is crucial, as appropriate diagnosis and intervention can make a difference. However, since it is a degenerative disease, treatment is often pointless when significant brain tissue damage occurs, making it difficult to save or regenerate the affected tissues. The MENA region currently has almost three million people living with dementia, with cases set to rise by 367 per cent by 2050 across the area, according to a Lancet Global Health report. It has become one of the significant threats to our society.

Advanced technology can also help us maintain our brain performance at peak for longer, including the use of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) that is available at Aviv Clinics Dubai, which involves breathing in 100 per cent oxygen in specialised hyperbaric chambers, which enables the brain and body to regenerate its cells, enhancing the cognitive, mental and physical performance.

In addition, the innovative HBOT protocol stimulates the proliferation of neuronal stem cells and facilitates the generation of new neurons and blood vessels in the brain. Patients undergo a testing process to ensure the treatment is right for them and addresses their needs. As a result of the HBOT protocol, the programme has seen noticeable improvements in memory, attention span, focus, and executive functions, which are directly related to the regeneration of brain tissue.

Using technology to care for and test can have numerous benefits in maintaining cognitive health and identifying potential issues early on.

With the advent of advanced neuroimaging techniques, brain-computer interfaces, and other innovative technologies, it has become possible to understand better and monitor the functioning of human brain, leading to improved cognitive function and overall well-being of its performance.

Since the brain is who we are, we must routinely monitor its health and functionality, just like we do routine blood tests, exercise tests, mammography and colonoscopy.

Professor Shai Efrati is the MD, co-founder and chair of Medical Advisory at Aviv Scientific

Read: UAE residents are using technology to take control of their health – research

Also read: How digital revolution is reshaping healthcare in the Middle East