How Ivory’s ‘Treadmill Test’ Changes Cognitive Care

The Rise of Cognitive Health Screening in India

Cognitive health screening is becoming a vital component of preventive healthcare in India. Brain health startup Ivory recently introduced a “treadmill test” for the brain. This tool aims to make functions like attention and memory measurable. Consequently, doctors can now track cognitive health alongside routine physical markers like liver function or cardiovascular health. Furthermore, the platform utilizes AI and neuroscience-based screening to provide a baseline score. This baseline is benchmarked against age and gender to ensure accuracy.

Improving Access to Cognitive Health Screening

Ivory secured $1 million in fresh funding to expand its clinical capabilities. The investment comes from Draper Associates and SAGE Venture Fund. Additionally, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment supports this initiative. The startup focuses on early detection, starting as early as age 40. Most people currently seek help only when symptoms become severe. However, early intervention can potentially delay serious conditions like dementia. Ivory aims to shift the focus from reactive treatment to proactive monitoring. Moreover, the platform integrates easily into existing diagnostic chains and corporate wellness programs.

Differentiating Decline from Lifestyle Factors

Clinicians often struggle to distinguish between early cognitive decline and temporary issues. Lifestyle factors like brain fog, stress, or poor sleep frequently mimic serious symptoms. Ivory uses digital and voice-based biomarkers to solve this problem. Consequently, these objective measurements provide clinicians with data-driven insights. The company is currently building intellectual property around these screening tools. Furthermore, they are conducting trials in hospital settings to establish robust datasets. These efforts target an estimated 35 million Indians currently living with mild cognitive impairment. As a result, the startup hopes to embed cognitive assessments across all healthcare touchpoints, including insurance and longevity programs, which is a critical step for professionals specializing in neurological diagnostics and care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What exactly is the Ivory ‘treadmill test’ for the brain?

The test is an AI-powered, neuroscience-based digital screening platform. It measures core cognitive functions such as memory, attention, and executive function. It provides a baseline score and actionable recommendations to help users track their brain health over time.

Q2: Who should undergo cognitive health screening?

Ivory recommends that individuals start routine screening as early as their 40s. Early testing helps identify mild cognitive impairment (MCI) before it progresses into more severe conditions like dementia, allowing for earlier lifestyle or medical interventions. Clinicians interested in enhancing their clinical practice can explore our specialized training in dementia care.

Q3: How does the platform differentiate between stress and actual cognitive decline?

The platform uses a combination of digital markers and voice-based biomarkers to provide objective data. This helps clinicians move away from subjective questionnaires and accurately identify whether symptoms are due to lifestyle issues like brain fog or early neurodegeneration.

References

1. Brain health startup Ivory develops ‘treadmill test’ for brain; focusses oncognitive health in India – ETHealthworld
2. Gross AL, et al. Prevalence of DSM-5 mild and major neurocognitive disorder in India: Results from the LASI-DAD. PLOS ONE, 2024.
3. NITI Aayog. Innovative Age-Tech Solutions for Brain Health: A Strategic Imperative for India. 2025.

Disclaimer: This article was automatically generated from publicly available sources and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. OC Academy does not exercise editorial control or claim authorship over this content. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider and refer to current local and national clinical guidelines.