Doctors often miss early signs of memory loss and thinking problems in older patients. Researchers created a new role called a Brain Health Navigator—a specially trained person who works in regular doctor’s offices to spot these issues early. In a study of 861 older adults, they found that patients who met with a Brain Health Navigator were much more likely to get proper testing and a correct diagnosis. This new approach helps catch memory problems before they become serious, giving patients more time to get help and treatment.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a new type of healthcare worker called a Brain Health Navigator could help catch memory and thinking problems earlier in regular doctor’s offices
  • Who participated: 861 adults age 65 and older from seven different primary care clinics who took a quick computer test to check their thinking and memory skills
  • Key finding: Patients who saw the Brain Health Navigator were significantly more likely to get a proper diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment and receive important tests like brain imaging and blood work compared to those who didn’t see this specialist
  • What it means for you: If you’re over 65 and your doctor finds thinking or memory concerns, asking about a Brain Health Navigator could help you get faster answers and treatment. However, this program isn’t yet available everywhere, so talk to your doctor about what options exist in your area

The Research Details

Researchers set up a new position called a Brain Health Navigator in seven regular doctor’s offices. All patients over 65 took a quick computer test to check their memory and thinking skills. If the test showed possible problems, doctors could refer patients to the Brain Health Navigator. The Navigator then did a detailed assessment, ordered important tests like blood work and brain scans, and helped connect patients to specialists and treatment options. The researchers tracked how many patients got referred, how many actually saw the Navigator, and what happened to those patients compared to those who didn’t see the Navigator.

The study ran for one year (June 2022 to May 2023) and looked at real-world use in actual doctor’s offices, not in a research lab. This makes the results more realistic about how well this approach could work in your community. The researchers carefully tracked which patients got diagnosed, what tests they received, and whether they got connected to specialists like neurologists.

This study design is important because it tests a new idea in the real world where doctors actually work. Instead of just studying the idea in theory, the researchers watched what actually happened when they added a Brain Health Navigator to regular doctor’s offices. This tells us whether this approach could really work in your community, not just in perfect research conditions.

This study was approved by Indiana University’s ethics board, which means it followed proper safety and fairness rules. The researchers tracked a large group of 861 patients, which gives us more confidence in the results. However, this study shows that the program works, but it doesn’t compare it to other ways of catching memory problems. The study also happened in just seven clinics in one area, so results might be different in other parts of the country. About 54% of patients who were referred actually came to see the Brain Health Navigator, which is something to keep in mind when thinking about real-world use.

What the Results Show

Out of 861 patients who took the memory screening test, 466 had results suggesting possible thinking or memory problems. Of these 466 patients, doctors referred most of them (62.7% of those with clear problems and 47.6% of those with borderline results) to the Brain Health Navigator. However, only about 28.9% of patients with clear problems and 23.5% with borderline results actually completed a visit with the Navigator.

Patients who saw the Brain Health Navigator had much better outcomes. They were significantly more likely to receive a formal diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment—a condition where thinking and memory start to decline but daily life isn’t severely affected yet. These patients also received more of the important tests that help doctors understand what’s causing the problem, including blood tests for vitamin B12 and thyroid function, and brain imaging scans.

Another important finding was that patients who saw the Brain Health Navigator were much more likely to be referred to specialists. More of them saw neurologists (brain doctors) and neuropsychologists (doctors who specialize in how the brain affects thinking and behavior). These specialist visits are important for getting the right diagnosis and treatment plan.

The study found that doctors were more likely to refer patients with clear signs of problems (62.7%) compared to those with borderline results (47.6%). This suggests doctors recognized the clearer cases but might have been unsure about the borderline cases. The fact that only about one-quarter to one-third of referred patients actually completed a visit with the Brain Health Navigator shows there are still barriers to getting people to follow up, even when a specialist is available. This could be due to scheduling challenges, transportation issues, or patients not understanding why the visit is important.

Previous research has shown that memory and thinking problems are often missed in regular doctor’s offices because doctors are busy and don’t have special training in spotting these issues. This study supports that finding and shows that having a specially trained person available makes a real difference. The results fit with other research showing that early detection of thinking problems leads to more testing and specialist care, which can help patients get treatment earlier when it’s most effective.

This study has several important limitations to understand. First, it only looked at what happened to patients—it didn’t compare the Brain Health Navigator approach to other ways of catching memory problems, so we can’t say it’s definitely better than other methods. Second, only about half of referred patients actually saw the Navigator, so we don’t know what would have happened if more people had completed the visit. Third, the study was done in just seven clinics in one area, so results might be different in other parts of the country or in different types of communities. Finally, the study didn’t follow patients long-term to see if getting diagnosed earlier actually led to better health outcomes over time.

The Bottom Line

If you’re over 65, ask your doctor about screening for memory and thinking problems, especially if you or family members have noticed changes. If screening shows possible problems, request a referral to a cognitive specialist or Brain Health Navigator if available in your area. (Confidence: Moderate—this approach shows promise but needs more testing). Work with your doctor to get recommended tests like blood work and brain imaging to understand what might be causing any problems. (Confidence: High—these tests are standard medical practice).

This research is most relevant for adults over 65, their family members, and primary care doctors. If you’re in this age group and have noticed memory changes, difficulty concentrating, or family members have mentioned concerns, this information is important for you. Family members should also pay attention because they often notice changes before the person themselves does. Primary care doctors should consider whether adding a Brain Health Navigator role could help their practice catch these problems earlier.

If you get screened and referred to a specialist, you might get a diagnosis within a few weeks to a few months, depending on how busy the specialist is. However, getting a diagnosis is just the first step. Seeing benefits from treatment or management strategies typically takes several months to a year of consistent follow-up and treatment. Don’t expect immediate changes—think of this as a long-term investment in your brain health.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your cognitive screening test results and dates. Record when you complete any follow-up visits with specialists and what tests were ordered. Monitor any changes in memory, concentration, or thinking speed using a simple weekly checklist (1-10 scale for memory clarity, focus, and word-finding ability).
  • Set calendar reminders for recommended follow-up appointments with neurologists or neuropsychologists. Create a health summary document listing all cognitive screening results, test dates, and specialist recommendations to share with your primary care doctor. Schedule regular check-ins with your doctor every 3-6 months to discuss any changes in thinking or memory.
  • Use the app to track quarterly cognitive screening results if your doctor recommends repeat testing. Log any new symptoms or concerns about memory and thinking. Monitor adherence to specialist appointments and recommended treatments. Keep a record of any medications or lifestyle changes recommended by your healthcare team and note any effects you notice.

This research describes a new healthcare program and should not be used to diagnose or treat any condition. If you’re concerned about memory or thinking changes, please consult with your primary care doctor or a healthcare professional. The Brain Health Navigator program may not be available in all areas. This study shows the program is feasible and helpful, but more research is needed to fully understand its long-term benefits. Always discuss screening, testing, and treatment options with your healthcare provider before making any decisions.