Brain testing for healthy people is mostly about a baseline: a scan or memory test now, so a change later can be spotted. Experts say there isn't enough evidence to screen people without symptoms, and brain scans often find harmless spots. If you've noticed memory changes, see a doctor instead.
The tests, in plain English
It's like taking a photo of your bookshelf before you move. On its own it doesn't tell you much. It helps later, when you want to know if anything changed.
Brain MRI with volumetrics
An MRI of the brain, with software that measures the size of brain areas and compares them with people your age. No radiation. It often finds small spots that turn out to be harmless.
For: People wanting a baseline who are ready for possible follow-upMemory and thinking tests
Computer or paper tests of memory, attention and speed. Your sleep, stress and mood that day can change the score, so a retest uses the same test.
For: People wanting a baseline, or who have noticed small changesBrain health in Chicago, by the numbers
The rate of serious difficulty with memory or focus in Chicago is lower than the national rate. About 1 in 8 adults in Chicago have serious difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions, compared with about 1 in 7 nationally. That adds up to roughly 790,000 adults across seven counties.
CDC estimates. PLACES figures are modelled from a national health survey, not counted from medical records, so read them as estimates.
See how the seven counties compare
| County | Serious difficulty with memory or focus | Frequent mental distress | Depression |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cook | 12.5% | 14.9% | 18.7% |
| DuPage | 10.1% | 13.4% | 17.4% |
| Lake | 11.3% | 14.1% | 18.1% |
| Will | 12.0% | 15.7% | 18.9% |
| Kane | 12.2% | 15.0% | 18.6% |
| McHenry | 11.7% | 15.4% | 21.7% |
| Kendall | 11.5% | 15.4% | 19.4% |
| Chicago | 12.0% | 14.8% | 18.6% |
| United States | 14.3% | 16.5% | 21.6% |
Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 county estimates. Chicago = Cook, DuPage, Lake, Kane, McHenry, Will and Kendall counties, weighted by adult population.
longevityclinicshub.comIf you've noticed changes in memory, focus or mood, start with your regular doctor. The tests above add detail, but they work best alongside that visit.
