Brain Health Lab Panels & Dementia Blood Test

A standard annual physical typically runs 20 to 30 tests focused on metabolic health, cholesterol, and organ function. Those panels were never designed to assess the brain. Our Foundation panel alone includes 130 tests, and the Advanced Brain Health panel adds 36 subspecialist markers that most commercial labs do not even offer — including blood-based dementia biomarkers (p-Tau 181, p-Tau 217, amyloid beta ratios), neurotransmitter metabolites, intracellular NAD+ levels, and neural toxin panels. More importantly, every result is interpreted by a subspecialist neurologist who understands what these markers mean for your cognitive trajectory, not just whether they fall inside a reference range.

Yes. We ask for a 12-hour fast before your appointment. Water is fine, and we recommend staying well-hydrated. Certain medications may need to be held the morning of the draw — our team will provide specific instructions when you schedule. The blood draw itself takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes depending on which panels you order.

Most Foundation panel results return within 7 to 10 business days. Specialty markers in the Advanced Brain Health panel, particularly the dementia biomarkers and neurotransmitter panels, may take 2 to 3 weeks due to the specialized reference laboratories involved. Once all results are in, Dr. Orr conducts a thorough review and schedules a findings consultation to walk you through every significant result and what it means for your brain health plan.

The Neurogenesis Project operates outside of insurance networks. These panels use specialized reference laboratories and biomarkers that are not covered by standard commercial insurance plans. We provide detailed superbills and medical documentation that you can submit to your carrier for potential out-of-network reimbursement. Affirm financing is available, allowing you to spread the cost over monthly payments starting around $59 per month at 10% APR.

You can, but we generally recommend starting with the Foundation panel. The brain does not operate in isolation from the rest of your physiology — hormonal deficiencies, inflammatory states, vascular risk factors, and nutritional gaps all affect cognitive function. Without that baseline, the Advanced Brain Health results lack important context. Most patients order both, and we price them accordingly.

No referral is needed. Our panels are ordered directly by Dr. Orr. Patients include executives seeking a cognitive performance baseline, individuals with a family history of Alzheimer's or dementia, people recovering from traumatic brain injury or long COVID, those in addiction recovery, and anyone who wants a genuinely thorough picture of their biological health. You can schedule directly by calling our office.

The Foundation panel includes a complete metabolic profile, lipid panel, thyroid function, vitamin B12, folate, vitamin D, homocysteine, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, hemoglobin A1c, fasting insulin, and a complete blood count. The Advanced panel adds APOE genotyping, inflammatory cytokine profiles (IL-6, TNF-alpha), oxidative stress markers, mitochondrial function markers, and heavy metal screening. Patients concerned about Alzheimer's risk can add plasma p-Tau 217, neurofilament light chain, and GFAP.

The Foundation panel ranges from $350 to $500 depending on the specific tests selected. The Advanced panel ranges from $800 to $1,200. Alzheimer's-specific biomarkers like p-Tau 217 are an additional cost. We operate outside of insurance networks, but we provide itemized superbills that patients can submit for potential out-of-network reimbursement. Our patient coordinator can provide an exact estimate based on the panel your clinical situation requires before you schedule.

Every abnormal result maps to a specific intervention. Elevated homocysteine indicates impaired methylation that responds to targeted B-vitamin supplementation. Insulin resistance prompts a metabolic protocol including dietary modification. Elevated inflammatory cytokines may indicate a need for IV glutathione or targeted anti-inflammatory treatment. Mitochondrial dysfunction markers guide decisions about NAD+ or Niagen IV therapy. The point of the panel is not to generate numbers but to build a treatment protocol from the specific deficits each patient carries.