Frequently Asked Questions

NeuroAge offers a multi-modal brain aging assessment designed to identify risk factors for Alzheimer's and other types of dementia years or decades before symptoms appear. Rather than waiting for cognitive decline to show up on a standard clinical test, we combine several complementary technologies to give you a comprehensive picture of how your brain is aging right now.

The assessment integrates four data streams: brain MRI (structural and volumetric imaging), genetic analysis, RNA biomarkers from blood, and cognitive testing. Together, these allow our team to calculate a personalized brain age and identify which biological pathways are driving any acceleration in aging for you as an individual.

The assessment is designed for adults who want to take a proactive approach to brain health. You do not need any symptoms or a family history of dementia to benefit. Common reasons people come to NeuroAge include:

• Personal or family history of Alzheimer's disease or other dementias
• Carrying a known genetic risk factor such as the APOE4 allele
• A desire to optimize cognitive performance and longevity
• Concerns about memory, focus, or mental sharpness
• General interest in biological aging and precision health

We serve clients across a broad age range, though the assessment is most actionable for adults in their 30s through 90s.

Most traditional neurological exams and cognitive tests identify issues only after significant memory impairment has already appeared. NeuroAge uses advanced biomarkers to detect early biological changes linked to brain aging, long before significant impairments develop.

Rather than relying on any single test, NeuroAge combines four complementary data streams to increase accuracy and surface insights you simply could not get from cognitive testing alone:

• Brain MRI — Structural and volumetric imaging that measures how your brain's physical structure compares to age-matched norms, identifying early signs of atrophy or vascular changes
• Genetic analysis — A polygenic risk score spanning thousands of variants, including APOE status, longevity genes, and medically actionable markers
• RNA biomarkers — Blood-based gene expression patterns that reflect how your brain is aging right now, including neuroinflammation, mitochondrial function, and cellular stress
• Cognitive testing — Validated digital assessments of memory, processing speed, attention, and executive function, benchmarked against age- and sex-matched norms

Each data stream can reveal something the others cannot. Together, they give our team a far more complete and accurate picture of your brain health — and more targeted recommendations as a result.

The NeuroAge Test was trained on more than 500,000 subjects and its components have been validated in dozens of publications. You can learn more on our Our Science page.

NeuroAge is a brain aging assessment, not a diagnostic test. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any medical condition. Rather, it is designed to measure how your brain is aging biologically and identify early risk factors — so you can take proactive steps before symptoms ever appear.

If your results raise a clinical concern, we will clearly communicate that and encourage you to follow up with your physician or a specialist. Our report is designed to support that conversation.

Services like Prenuvo offer full-body MRI scans that are excellent for detecting structural abnormalities across organs. NeuroAge is purpose-built for brain aging and dementia prevention specifically, and goes significantly deeper in that domain.

Where a full-body scan gives you a structural snapshot, NeuroAge layers in genetic risk, RNA biomarkers, and cognitive performance data alongside your brain MRI — providing a multi-dimensional view of how your brain is aging biologically, not just structurally. If you have already completed a Prenuvo or similar scan, we can often use that MRI as part of your NeuroAge assessment, provided it meets our technical requirements.

You can begin by visiting our products page to view testing plans, or contact our team directly at hello@neuroagetx.com.

Once your order is complete, you'll receive a confirmation email and instant access to NeuroGames and surveys so you can get started right away. We'll ship your at-home testing kits — a Tasso blood draw device for RNA biomarkers and a saliva collection kit for genetic analysis — along with simple instructions and a prepaid shipping label to send them back.

Meanwhile, we'll coordinate your brain MRI at a local partner facility. Once all data are in, your full results are delivered within six weeks.

The assessment unfolds in four stages:

• Cognitive testing — Validated digital tests covering memory, processing speed, attention, and executive function (~30 minutes)
• Testing kits — A Tasso blood draw device (painless, 1ml from the upper arm) for RNA biomarkers, and a saliva-based kit for genetic analysis. Both are completed at home and returned with a prepaid shipping label.
• Brain MRI — Structural and volumetric imaging at a partner center near you
• Consultation — A 30-minute virtual results review with Dr. Christin Glorioso

NeuroGames combines cognitive assessment and training. The assessment (~30 min online) evaluates memory, processing speed, visuospatial ability, and executive function. Your scores are benchmarked against age- and sex-matched norms.

The daily training games are designed to reduce dementia risk by up to 30%, as measured 20 years later, based on data from the ACTIVE trial.

Our panel covers thousands of variants with the strongest links to neurodegenerative disorders, longevity, and common diseases. For Alzheimer's, we calculate a polygenic risk score across 41 variants — because the APOE gene alone accounts for only 30% of your risk.

We also uniquely test for longevity variants overrepresented in centenarians (FOXO3, mTOR, Klotho), medically actionable pharmacogenomic genes including MTHFR, and risk variants for heart disease, various cancers, and osteoporosis.

23andMe covers only about 1% of the markers we test, so it cannot be substituted. However, we can accept other tests that include whole genome sequencing.

RNA biomarkers reflect how your brain is currently aging — as opposed to the static sequence of your DNA. We analyze gene expression patterns in your blood linked to neuroinflammation, cellular stress responses, and mitochondrial function — all hallmarks of brain aging. Learn more on our Our Science page.

Because RNA expression responds to lifestyle and environment, these markers can change over time, making them especially valuable for tracking whether interventions are having a measurable biological impact.

AD-Detect testing is a blood test that measures biomarkers associated with Alzheimer's disease. Once your order is placed, you visit a Quest Diagnostics location at a convenient time for a standard blood draw. Your sample is analyzed using advanced assay technology, then integrated into your overall NeuroAge profile alongside your genetic, RNA, and imaging data.

The MRI generates a brain age estimate by tracking volume loss across 18 brain areas — regions that shrink at predictable rates with age — and comparing your measurements to age-matched norms. It also evaluates brain pathology including white matter hyperintensities, which are small lesions associated with vascular damage and increased dementia risk.

In addition, every MRI completed through our network is reviewed by a radiologist who screens for incidental findings including tumors, strokes, and aneurysms.

In some cases, yes. The scan must be within the past 12 months, include specific high-resolution 3D sequences (3D T1, 3D T2, 3D T2 FLAIR), and be provided as original DICOM files — a written report alone is not sufficient. Scans from Prenuvo and Ezra are typically compatible; standard hospital scans may not always meet the technical requirements.

We work with a network of imaging centers across the United States. These are our current MRI partner locations — visit our MRI Centers page to search for a facility in your city.

Search MRI Locations →

No referral is needed. Once you purchase your NeuroAge assessment, we coordinate your MRI directly with one of our partner imaging centers on your behalf. You will not need to go through your primary care physician or a specialist to get scheduled.

You do not need to bring anything — no insurance card, no referral, no paperwork. Once you purchase your assessment, someone from our team will call you to schedule your MRI at a partner imaging center near you.

On the day of your scan, avoid wearing jewelry, hairpins, or clothing with metal fasteners, as these will need to be removed before entering the scanner. Let the imaging center know in advance if you have any implanted metal devices or significant claustrophobia. If you are anxious about the enclosed space, speak with your physician ahead of time — a mild sedative can be prescribed to help.

MRI is non-invasive and does not use ionizing radiation. It is considered very safe for most people. It is contraindicated for individuals with certain implanted metal devices, including many cardiac pacemakers, cochlear implants, and some types of surgical clips or hardware.

Before scheduling your MRI, you will complete a standard safety screening questionnaire. If you have any implants or prior surgeries involving metal, please inform our team at intake so we can confirm compatibility.

The NeuroAge MRI is generally not covered by standard insurance plans. However, many clients are able to use HSA or FSA funds.

Your MRI is analyzed by BrainKey (advanced volumetric AI) and also reviewed by a radiologist who screens for tumors, strokes, and aneurysms — if completed through our network. All results appear in your personal NeuroAge dashboard alongside your other biomarker findings.

You will receive your full results within six weeks of completing all components of the assessment — MRI, testing kits, and cognitive testing. The timeline begins once all data have been received and processed by our team. You will be notified when your results are ready in your dashboard.

Yes. Every NeuroAge assessment includes a 30-minute virtual one-on-one results consultation with our CEO, Dr. Christin Glorioso, MD, PhD. Dr. Glorioso has 20 years of research experience in brain aging and will walk you through your findings, explain what they mean in plain language, and discuss your personalized recommendations in the context of your full biological profile.

If any component of your results raises a clinical concern — such as an unexpected MRI finding or a significantly elevated risk profile — our team will flag this clearly and discuss it with you during your consultation. For MRIs completed through our network, a radiologist reviews every scan for incidental findings including tumors, strokes, and aneurysms.

We will always recommend appropriate next steps and can help facilitate a referral to your physician or a relevant specialist. Our report is structured to support that clinical conversation, and our team is available for provider-to-provider consultation if needed.

• Brain age estimate based on MRI volumetrics, compared to your chronological age
• Regional brain volume analysis across structures relevant to memory and cognition
• Genetic risk profile including APOE status and polygenic scores
• RNA biomarker panel results with biological pathway interpretation
• Cognitive performance scores with age- and sex-related benchmarking
• Personalized recommendations across nutrition, exercise, sleep, metabolic health, and targeted interventions

Yes. Your results are not presented as just a set of numbers. Each finding is interpreted in the context of your overall profile to deliver clear, prioritized, evidence-based recommendations tailored specifically to you. If your results highlight a particular area of concern — such as elevated neuroinflammation or signs of cerebrovascular stress — your recommendations will be focused directly on those pathways.

Absolutely. Our report is designed to be readable by clinicians as well as individuals without a medical background. If your provider has questions about our methodology or findings, our team is available for provider-to-provider consultation.

Yes — and this is one of the most valuable ways to use NeuroAge. Tracking biomarkers over time lets you evaluate whether interventions are working at a biological level. NeuroAge is a yearly subscription, so your assessment automatically renews each year. This makes longitudinal tracking straightforward — repeated MRI analysis can detect subtle structural changes not visible in a single scan, and annual biomarker data lets you see whether lifestyle changes or interventions are having a measurable biological impact over time.

No additional fees. Personal coaching is available as a separate add-on — pricing is available on our website.

Yes. Many clients use HSA (Health Savings Account) or FSA (Flexible Spending Account) funds to cover their NeuroAge subscription. The NeuroAge MRI and laboratory testing components are generally considered qualifying medical expenses.

Yes, you can cancel your NeuroAge subscription at any time. Please contact our support team at hello@neuroagetx.com or call (415) 481-1659 and we will assist you. Cancellations take effect at the end of your current billing period.

Yes. Your Quest Diagnostics visit is included as part of the AD-Detect assessment at no extra cost. You can schedule your appointment at a time that works best for you, and the blood draw will be performed at a Quest location near you.

Currently NeuroAge operates in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. We are actively exploring partnerships to expand access internationally.

Yes. NeuroAge has ongoing clinical trials funded by the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF). Eligible participants may be able to access the assessment as part of a research protocol. Contact us at hello@neuroagetx.com for information on current studies and eligibility.

View ADDF Study Page →

NeuroAge data is stored on HIPAA-compliant servers. Your genetic data, MRI imaging, biomarker results, and personal health information are stored using industry-standard encryption and security protocols. Access to your data is strictly limited to the NeuroAge team members and certified laboratory partners involved in processing and interpreting your results.

We take the sensitivity of genetic and neurological data seriously and have built our platform with privacy as a foundational requirement, not an afterthought.

Under the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), health insurers and employers in the United States are prohibited from using genetic information to make coverage or employment decisions. NeuroAge does not share your results with insurers or employers under any circumstances.

Note that GINA does not currently cover life insurance, disability insurance, or long-term care insurance. If you have specific concerns about how genetic information may affect these policies, we recommend consulting with a genetic counselor or your insurance provider before proceeding.

Our team is available Monday through Friday, 9am–5pm. Call us at (415) 481-1659 or email hello@neuroagetx.com.

If your kit is lost, we can send a replacement for a fee. The testing kit includes a backup collection tube for blood samples. If both tubes are deemed unusable, we'll ship a new kit at no additional cost.

If you cannot complete the test after purchase, we can issue a refund. Please reach out to our support team and we will assist you.

We'd be happy to walk you through a demo. We offer a physician portal for reviewing client results in advance, and physicians receive a 20% discount on standard pricing. Physicians order the tests through us, and clients pay the physician directly for testing.

For the MRI portion, we will send your clients to an imaging center near them that is already set up with our protocol. If there is no compatible facility near your clients, we can work with you to get our protocol set up at a local imaging center. The blood biomarker test can be completed via at-home Tasso device or in-clinic blood draw, depending on your preference. The cognitive testing is completed online and takes approximately 30 minutes.

Call us at (415) 481-1659 or email hello@neuroagetx.com — or visit our partner page to schedule a demo.

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