The Amyloid Mirage: Why Brain Training's New 'Biomarker' Win Isn't a Cure
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Posit Science claims its BrainHQ app can alter Alzheimer's indicators, but a tiny sample size and a lack of clinical recovery data suggest we are seeing another hype cycle.
*(Opinion: Victor Cho)*
We have been here before. The history of cognitive health is littered with 'breakthroughs' that promise to rewire the brain, only to vanish once the marketing dust settles. Now, we have a new set of claims involving beta amyloid biomarkers, as the Financial Post reported. While the industry wants us to celebrate a shift in blood-based markers, the reality is that until these changes translate into actual, measurable clinical recovery for patients, we are looking at an expensive digital placebo.
**Q: What is the specific claim being made regarding brain training and Alzheimer's?**
A: According to a report from GlobeNewswire, results from the ENACT (Elucidating the Necessary Active Components of Training) Study suggest that computerized cognitive training can improve beta amyloid biomarkers. Researchers observed that Aβ42/Aβ40 ratios improved significantly among participants who completed the speed-based cognitive training. This training is delivered exclusively through the BrainHQ app, developed by Posit Science.
**Q: Who conducted this study and what was the methodology?**
A: The ENACT Study was a randomized controlled trial. As reported by GlobeNewswire, the study involved 53 participants who were randomized to receive 20 hours of training. One group used the BrainHQ app, while the control group played computer games, such as Word Search. The researchers then analyzed blood-based biomarkers associated with dementia risk before and after the training period.
**Q: How does Posit Science frame these results in the context of previous research?**
A: Dr. Henry Mahncke, CEO of Posit Science and a leader in neuroplasticity research, told GlobeNewswire that the ENACT results, combined with the ACTIVE and INHANCE studies, suggest a "major evolution" in the understanding of Alzheimer's. He claims this evidence shows that plasticity-based training can remodel the brain to protect against dementia and slow or reverse cognitive aging. The ACTIVE Study, which was funded by the NIH and involved 2,800 people, reportedly showed a reduction in Alzheimer's incidence, while the INHANCE Study focused on the production of the brain chemical acetylcholine.
**Q: Are there any caveats to the ENACT Study's findings?**
A: Yes. GlobeNewswire notes that the biomarker changes observed in the study varied by sex. This aligns with broader evidence that men and women may respond differently to cholinesterase inhibitors and amyloid-targeting drugs, as well as other Alzheimer's-related therapies.