Brain Check Ultra

FDX 350

Looking after cognitive health has never been so important. According to the Alzheimer’s Society, there are almost a million people with dementia in the UK with projected figures estimating the total will rise to 1.6 million by 2040.  While Alzheimer’s disease is incompletely defined, studies have implicated metabolic abnormalities such as insulin resistance, hormonal deficiencies, and hyper-homocysteinemia as potential contributing factors, and Dr Bredesen’s work argues that optimising metabolic parameters has yielded cognitive improvement in both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. 

Bredesen’s research suggests that Alzheimer’s disease results from an imbalance in the brain’s neuroplasticity signalling thanks to a series of negative assaults on the body that lead to a downsizing of the brain’s ability and a subsequent cognitive decline.  

Bredesen has identified 36 factors including metabolic derangement, poor nutrient status, and exposure to viruses that can trigger “downsizing” in the brain and the protocol employs a number of techniques to address those factors including a ketogenic-style Mediterranean diet, brain training, blood tests and a personalised supplementation regime.

At FunctionalDX we have compiled Brain Check Ultra which reviews the key biomarkers that are identified by Bredesen to have the most influence on neurological function.

They consider the five key areas;

  • Insulin resistance
  • Inflammation and infections
  • Hormone, nutrient, and trophic factor optimisation
  • Toxins: chemical, biological, and physical
  • Restoration and protection of lost synapses

This is combined with our FDX extensive reporting and interpretation to provide the most in depth analysis of 13 body systems, 7 accessory systems, 7 macro systems, 14 nutrient assessments and more than 40 clinical dysfunction assessments.

In a recent study, co-authored by Bredesen, alongside functional medicine doctors including Kat Toups, Ann Hathaway and Deborah Gordon, was published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease earlier this summer. It describes a proof-of-concept trial ahead of a larger randomised controlled clinical trial and assesses the effect of a multi-faceted nutrition and lifestyle approach on 25 patients with dementia or mild cognitive impairment. The authors concluded that all saw improvement at the end of the trial.  

Suitable for:

  • Those experiencing cognitive decline looking to investigate underlying issues.
  • Those looking for a comprehensive review of their cognitive health taking into consideration the latest Bredesen’s research
  • Those concerned or wanting to know more about their health outlook, looking to identify potential areas for cognitive decline risk.
  • Those interested in ageing well and looking to future proof their health and wellbeing / reduce the ageing process on their cognitive performance
  • Those with conditions or symptoms that suggest concerns to cognitive function such as Cardiovascular Disease, high blood pressure, Diabetes, metabolic conditions, memory changes, cognitive changes
  • Those with family history of ageing and degenerative cognitive conditions

Key Biomarkers

Interleukin 6
Vitamin D3 (25 OH)
Vitamin E
Reverse T3
Free t3
Free t4
Homocysteine
Magnesium Red cell
Folate Serum
Selenium Serum
Copper Serum
Arsenic
Mercury
Lead
Zinc Serum
HsCRP
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B12
CRP
Estradiol E2
DHEA-sulphate
Ferritin
View full Biomarker List

Blood Chemistry

Basophils %
Basophils No
Eosinophils %
Eosinophils No
Haematocrit
Haemoglobin
Lymphocytes %
Lymphocytes No
MCH - Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin
MCHC - Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration
MCV - Mean Corpuscular Volume
Monocytes %
Monocytes No
MPV (Mean Platelet Volume)
Neutrophil: Lymphocyte Ratio
Neutrophils %
Neutrophils No
Platelets
RBC's
RDW
WBC's

Hormones

DHEA-sulphate
Estradiol E2
Progesterone
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin
Testosterone Total

Immunology

Interleukin 6

Inflammation

CRP
Homocysteine
HsCRP

Iron

Ferritin

Kidney Function

Creatinine
eGFR
Urea
Urea / Creatinine Ratio

Lipids

Cholesterol Total
Cholesterol/HDL Ratio
HDL cholesterol
LDL / HDL ratio
LDL Cholesterol
Non-HDL Cholesterol
Triglycerides
Triglycerides / HDL ratio

Liver & Gallbladder

ALT
AST
AST:ALT Ratio

Minerals & Metals

Arsenic
Calcium
Calcium : Albumin ratio
Copper Serum
Lead
Magnesium Red cell
Magnesium Serum
Mercury
Selenium Serum
Zinc Serum

Proteins

Albumin
Globulin
Total Protein

Sugars

Glucose
HBA1C
Insulin (fasting)

Thyroid

Free t3
Free t4
Reverse T3
TSH

Vitamins

Folate Serum
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B6
Vitamin D3 (25 OH)
Vitamin E

Available add-on panels

You will need a main test first

Test instructions

Test guidelines: Fasting blood draw required in the morning. CLICK FOR KIT INSTRUCTIONS

Related Panels

FDX 27
Full Biomarkers +
FDX 26
Full Biomarkers +
FDX 34
Full Biomarkers +

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Functional DX to me is the 'Go to Test' that I would use for patients before anything else
Oliver Barnet, ND