BrainTrack app to support brain health and early dementia diagnosis

This media release was provided by Dementia Australia

Dementia Australia has today launched a free mobile app, BrainTrack, developed in collaboration with the Applied Artificial Intelligence Institute (A²I²), Deakin University and funded by the Australian Government. 

BrainTrack helps people to privately monitor and better understand suspected changes in their cognition over time. If they have concerns, they can then share the results with their GP and use it as a conversation starter to support an earlier dementia diagnosis. 

Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe AM said BrainTrack helps individuals explore common cognitive concerns and provides brain health information through fun, travel-themed games that have been adapted from validated cognitive testing. 

“Users are prompted to log-in monthly to play the games and within the app can easily generate a pdf report of the results that can be emailed to their GP,” Ms McCabe said. 

“While not intended to replace a formal cognitive assessment, BrainTrack supports the early identification of cognitive changes over time that may warrant further testing.” 

 

Dementia Australia Lead Learning Designer Kelly Burns discusses BrainTrack

 

Encouraging people to talk to their GP as soon as they have concerns may lead to an earlier diagnosis of dementia which then empowers and enables people living with dementia, their families and carers to better understand dementia and to manage their diagnosis on their terms. 

“I encourage everyone interested in exploring more about their brain health to download BrainTrack and for GPs and other treating healthcare professionals to encourage their patients who have concerns about their cognition to do so too,” Ms McCabe said. 

BrainTrack has been awarded a research grant by the Medical Research Future Fund – Dementia, Ageing and Aged Care initiative which will evaluate its use and whether it’s associated with improvements in knowledge and help-seeking in relation to brain health. 

BrainTrack was officially launched today by the Hon Mark Butler MP, Minister for Health and Aged Care in a Meet the Ministers Webinar hosted by Dementia Australia. 

BrainTrack is available for download for free through the Apple App Store or Google Play. For more information, please visit dementia.org.au/braintrack-app