The At-Home Alzheimer’s Risk Test Changing How We Think About Brain Health

By Spencer Hulse Spencer Hulse has been verified by Muck Rack's editorial team
Published on August 8, 2025

In an era where medical innovation often outpaces system adoption, Neurogen Biomarking is setting a new precedent. Founded in 2024 by neurologist and healthcare executive Dr. Rany Aburashed, the company is introducing a bold model for Alzheimer’s detection, one that brings clinical-grade brain health testing directly into the home.

Dr. Rany Aburashed

The challenge Neurogen is addressing is clear. Approximately 92% of Alzheimer’s cases are diagnosed too late, after significant and irreversible cognitive decline has occurred. This is not a failure of science. The tools to detect Alzheimer’s earlier exist. What has been lacking is accessibility, clinical interpretation, and systemic integration. Neurogen addresses all three.

From Clinic to Home: The Neurogen Experience

Headquartered in Chicago, Neurogen operates nationally, serving the U.S. healthcare system, employer-based wellness programs, and a growing base of direct-to-consumer users. Through a simple at-home testing process that includes blood collection, digital cognitive screening, and a consultation with a board-certified neurologist, Neurogen delivers personalized insight into brain health years before traditional systems would intervene.

What differentiates Neurogen is its ability to align advanced diagnostics with real-world usability. “This isn’t just about providing a test,” says Dr. Aburashed. “It’s about shifting the timeline and meeting people at the beginning of their journey, not the end.” Importantly, Neurogen ensures scientific rigor through pre-screening, adhering strictly to eligibility criteria accepted by the broader scientific community. Asymptomatic individuals without appropriate indicators are not eligible, preserving the integrity and accuracy of the testing process.

Science That Leads, Not Lags

At the core of Neurogen’s platform is pTau217, a biomarker now recognized as one of the earliest indicators of Alzheimer’s pathology. While this biomarker has long been confined to academic research, Neurogen is the first company to make it accessible in a clinically guided, consumer-facing format.

Dr. Ken Bahk and Dr. Elisabeth Thijssen

This scientific edge is supported by a leadership team with deep experience across medical, academic, and commercial disciplines. Dr. Ken Bahk, Chief Strategy Officer, is a veteran in diagnostic and healthcare innovation. Dr. Elisabeth Thijssen, Chief Scientific Officer, brings global recognition for her research on biomarkers and neurodegenerative disease. Neurogen’s Scientific Advisory Committee includes specialists from Harvard, Wake Forest, University of Pittsburgh, Amsterdam UMC, and other global institutions.

Real Demand, Real Impact

Neurogen is still in the early stages of national rollout, yet market demand has been swift. Over 1,000 people joined the waitlist ahead of launch, and more than 500 individuals completed the beta program with a 98% satisfaction rate. The company has also formed strategic partnerships with industry leaders such as Quanterix and Tasso, ensuring scalable infrastructure for growth.

But Neurogen’s competitive advantage is not just its technology. It is the clinical interpretation layer. Every test result is reviewed by a licensed neurologist. This ensures each patient receives meaningful insight, not just a data point. “A biomarker without context is just noise,” says Dr. Aburashed. “We are building something that connects data to dignity.”

Building the Next Chapter in Brain Health

Neurogen’s long-term goal is to make proactive brain health screening as routine as cholesterol monitoring. The company is focused on reaching the 40 million Americans quietly concerned about memory loss, and on transforming Alzheimer’s from a late-stage crisis into a manageable condition caught early. Neurogen is disrupting the current standard of care, establishing a new foundation built upon a marriage of medical expertise and the modern reality that empowers individuals through accessible healthcare solutions.

This is not an upgrade to the current system. It is the beginning of a new one. Neurogen is not waiting for change. It is leading it.

By Spencer Hulse Spencer Hulse has been verified by Muck Rack's editorial team

Spencer Hulse is the Editorial Director at Grit Daily. He is responsible for overseeing other editors and writers, day-to-day operations, and covering breaking news.

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