Brain Health Testing at Evoke 5

The Importance of Brain Health

Your brain is arguably the most important organ in the entire body, controlling the vast majority of your daily function. So, it makes sense that brain health is an essential piece of your overall health.

“Brain health” refers to the optimal functioning of the brain, including cognitive, emotional and psychological functioning. Good brain health is important for:

• Optimal cognitive functions, such as memory, problem-solving, decision-making, learning and creativity
• Mental health, including regulating emotions, reducing the risk of mood disorders like depression and anxiety, and improving overall psychological wellbeing
• Regulating bodily functions, such as the autonomic nervous system, which controls heart rate, digestion and respiration
• Longevity, with research suggesting that maintaining brain health may contribute to a longer, healthier life
• Reduced risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s

Signs and Causes of an Unhealthy Brain

An “unhealthy brain” – or one that is not functioning at its optimal level – can show up in many different ways. Symptoms can include:

• Forgetfulness, difficulty recalling recent or past events, or difficulty learning and retaining new information
• Difficulty with problem-solving, reasoning and decision-making
• Frequent or severe mood swings, persistent sadness or depression, heightened anxiety or unexplained irritability
• Persistent insomnia, sleep apnea, excessive daytime sleepiness, or other sleep disorders that affect the quality and quantity of sleep
• Frequent, severe or unexplained headaches
• Sudden or unexplained changes in vision, including blurry vision, double vision or loss of vision
• Difficulty with balance, coordination and motor skills
• Problems speaking, slurred speech, trouble finding words, or difficulty understanding spoken or written language
• Unexplained seizures or an increase in the frequency of seizures in individuals with epilepsy
• Noticeable changes in personality, behavior or social interactions
• Unexplained muscle weakness, involuntary muscle contractions or tremors
• Numbness, tingling or a loss of sensation
• Frequent dizziness, vertigo, or a feeling of spinning or imbalance
• Episodes of confusion, disorientation or loss of consciousness
• Unusual, unexplained sensations such as tingling, burning or itching

Brain health issues can be caused by many different factors. Aging is primary cause of brain health conditions, as is genetics. Lifestyle factors, including poor diet, lack of exercise, excessive alcohol use, and smoking or substance abuse, can also cause brain health issues.

Medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, autoimmune disorders, infections and neurological disorders, can also affect brain health, as can medications and drug interactions.

Exposure to environmental toxins, high levels of chronic stress, sleep disorders and mood disorders like depression and anxiety can also contribute to brain health problems.

And, of course, head injuries – even mild ones – can have long-lasting impacts on the brain, which is why it is critical to be evaluated after any sort of head-related injury.

Brain Health Testing

At Evoke 5, we utilize a brain health test that looks at brain inflammation and the production of neurotransmitters, which are the body’s chemical “messengers.” Delivery of these messages is necessary for proper functioning of the nervous system, which controls everything in your body, from your mind to your muscles.

This brain health test involves a blood draw, which we can conduct in-office. Test results are sent to an outside lab, with results typically returned in two to three weeks.

We do not bill insurance for brain health testing, and the test is paid for at the time of service. We are happy to provide an exact quote prior to the test. Please contact us with any questions or to schedule an appointment.

Improving Brain Health

Once we receive your brain health testing results, our functional medicine doctor reviews them carefully and will then schedule a follow-up to go over the details with you in depth. We will then recommend an individualized treatment plan to address your specific brain health needs and goals.

Treatments to optimize brain health can include natural supplementation as well as the use of advanced technology, such as MeRT (Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy). MeRT is a non-invasive neuromodulation technology aimed at improving the way the brain processes information by restoring optimal brain activity.

MeRT therapy is an FDA-approved, non-surgical, non-pharmacological treatment that is personalized for each patient’s unique needs or goals. With MeRT therapy, our goal is to identify the areas of the brain that are not performing at their peak, then stimulate the brain neurons to perform at their optimal speed.

This type of therapy is particularly suited to help patients dealing with:

• PTSD
• TBI/concussion
• Depression and anxiety
• Autism/ASD
• ADD/ADHD
• Stroke
• Dementia
• Substance abuse

Beyond Brain Health Testing

Brain health testing is one of the many cutting-edge diagnostic tools and treatments we offer at Evoke 5 Medical Center. In addition to brain health testing, our other services include:

• Functional Medicine Primary Care
• Lab Testing
• Gut Testing
• Environmental Toxin Testing
• Micronutrient Testing
• Brain Health Testing
• Genetic Testing
• IV Therapy
• Hormone Replacement Therapy
• Peptide Therapy

In-Office and Virtual Appointments

There are several opportunities to collaborate with Evoke 5 on your health:

• We are seeing patients in-person at our functional medicine clinic in Oklahoma City.
• We also offer online functional medicine consultations for anyone looking to optimize their overall wellbeing – regardless of where you live.

Contact us to learn more or to schedule your appointment.