What You Should Know:
– Neurogen Biomarking announced a strategic partnership with NeuroX, a venture of American TelePhysicians, to integrate virtual neurology services into Neurogen’s innovative brain health care ecosystem. The collaboration aims to significantly improve the patient journey for early detection of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) by accelerating access to expert cognitive care.
– Neurogen’s platform is distinguished as the first patient-initiated system designed to shift the current paradigm of AD detection through improved access to cutting-edge blood biomarker testing and AI-enhanced digital and cognitive assessments. NeuroX’s board-certified neurologists will provide telehealth support to eligible Neurogen patients, offering follow-up care and guidance, thereby reducing typical wait times for specialist care from months to weeks.
Addressing Critical Gaps in Neurological Care
Patients experiencing memory and thinking concerns often first consult their primary care physician, followed by a referral to a neurologist. This process can be protracted, with some reports indicating wait times of up to 45 to 50 months, significantly delaying AD diagnosis. The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) anticipates a 19% gap between the demand for and supply of neurologists by 2025, a shortfall exacerbated by an aging population and the increasing prevalence of neurological disorders.
The scale of the challenge is immense: an estimated 7 million Americans aged 65 and older were living with Alzheimer’s dementia in 2024, and roughly 40% of Americans in this age group (around 16 million people) experience memory impairment. Shockingly, only 8 percent of those living with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) – which often precedes Alzheimer’s by many years – receive a diagnosis, leaving 92% undiagnosed. Alzheimer’s disease develops slowly, with a latent period of 15-20 years before MCI symptoms may appear.
“Neurogen’s partnership with NeuroX is helping us achieve our goal to reimagine the patient journey for early detection of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI),” said Dr. Rany Aburashed, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Neurogen Biomarking. “The current standard of care for Alzheimer’s disease is inefficient and delays diagnosis of AD by years. Our partnership with NeuroX enhances our ability to shift that paradigm bringing their board-certified neurologists with specialized training in the nuances of early AD detection testing to everyone eligible so that they receive the highest level of cognitive care through Neurogen’s ecosystem.”
NeuroX utilizes board-certified neurologists, advanced AI tools, and personalized care pathways to support patients and their caregivers. Through its participation in the CMS GUIDE Model and its integrated virtual care ecosystem, NeuroX brings specialized brain health expertise directly into the biomarker-driven care journey.
The Neurogen Platform: A Multi-Step Approach to Early Detection
The Neurogen Biomarking online platform guides patients through a structured journey:
- Digital Cognitive Assessment: Patients begin with advanced digital cognitive assessments provided by Linus Health, which help identify high-risk individuals and determine eligibility for further evaluation.
- At-Home Blood Biomarker Testing: Eligible patients are sent a blood collection kit for a sample to be taken by a phlebotomist in the privacy of their home. This sample is then sent to a certified lab to measure phosphorylated tau (ptau217), a specific biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease pathology.
- Virtual Neurologist Guidance by NeuroX: NeuroX’s board-certified telehealth neurologists then guide patients through their results and next steps, including:
- Interpretation of Blood Biomarker Tests: For individuals with elevated ptau217, neurologists explain the nuances of the test and direct them appropriately within the healthcare system.
- Personalized Brain Health Report: An easy-to-understand report explaining the outcome of the in-depth cognitive assessment.
- Personalized Brain Health Action Plan: Recommendations for lifestyle improvements focusing on exercise, diet, and sleep.
The Neurogen Biomarking platform is slated for commercial availability in 2025 for individuals with eligible memory and thinking concerns, marking a significant step towards proactive and accessible brain health management.
