Brain Health Assessment

BY DANIEL G. AMEN, MD

BRAIN TYPE BRAIN FIT SCORE

This is your brain type This is your total brain fit score out of a
8 out of 16 possible
types.
52 possible 100. Your scores in the individual
categories are shown in your chart below.

People with this type tend to be: EXCELLENT

OR HIGH
Be spontaneous
10
Be creative, “out-of-the-box” thinkers 9  
Focus only if something is interesting 8
Be persistent 7 8
6
Get stuck on thoughts 5 6 6
Be deeply feeling 4 5
Struggle with moods 3 4 4
2
Be motivated 1 2
Be restless 0
Brain Sleep Memory Exec Inner Mood Flexible
LOW OR Health Function Peace Thinking
POOR

AVERAGE
SCORE 7 6 6 7 6 7 6

About The Brain Health Assessment

Over the last three decades at Amen Clinics, we have been helping people improve their brains and
their lives. One of the unique aspects of our work is that we use a sophisticated brain imaging study
called SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography) to help us understand and help our
patients.
 

A long time ago, I realized that not everyone can get a scan, either because of cost or they are not
near one of our clinics. So based on thousands of scans, I developed the Brain Health Assessment to
help people know which brain type they might have and ways to optimize it. While the questionnaire
is not as accurate as getting an actual scan, many people find it to be a helpful tool to learn more
about their brain.

Versions of the Brain Health Assessment are used by thousands of medical and mental health
professionals around the world. Of course, you should always talk with your healthcare professional
before making any changes to your medical regimens. Since this is based on selfreport, I often
suggest that you have someone who knows you well, whom you trust, answer the questions for you
to see if he or she concurs with your results. Sometimes we may have blind spots.

What Your Brain Type Says About You

The SPECT scans for Brain Type 8 typically show lower activity in the front part of the brain, in an
area called the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Think of the PFC as the brain’s brake. It stops us from saying
or doing things that are not in our best interest, but it can also stop creative, out-of-the-box thinking
if it works too hard. The PFC is the little voice in our heads that helps us decide between the banana
and the banana split. Brain Type 8 may be associated with lower dopamine levels (a
neurotransmitter involved with focus and motivation) in the brain and may cause people to be more
restless, risk-taking, and needing to be very interested in order to stay focused. People with this type
may need excitement or stimulation in order to focus (think of firefighters and race car drivers).

In addition, people with Brain Type 8 are often take-charge people who won’t take no for an answer.
They tend to be strong-willed, tenacious, and sometimes stubborn. They may also worry, have
trouble sleeping, and like things to be a certain way. Brain Type 8 often has increased activity in an
area called the anterior cingulate gyrus (ACG), also located in the front part of the brain.
We think of the ACG as the brain’s gear shifter. It helps people go from thought to thought or move
from action to action. It is involved with being mentally flexible and going with the flow. When the
ACG is overactive, usually due to low levels of serotonin, people can have problems shifting
attention, which can make them persist, even when it may not be a good idea for them to do so.

Brain Type 8 also tends to show increased activity in the limbic or emotional centers of the brain,
making them sensitive, empathic, and deeply feeling, but also subject to issues with moods. They
may struggle with being more pessimistic and having negative thoughts.

In addition, Brain Type 8 also shows heightened activity in the anxiety centers of the brain, such as
the basal ganglia, insular cortex, or amygdala. This is often due to lower levels of the
neurotransmitter GABA, which helps calm the brain. People with this type tend to be motivated
toward a goal. They can feel intense pleasure, but also struggle with feeling anxious or nervous,
which causes them to be more cautious and reserved, although more prepared.

The best strategy to balance Brain Type 8 is to find natural ways to boost dopamine, serotonin, and
GABA. Physical exercise boosts both dopamine and serotonin as does using a combination of
certain supplements, such as 5-HTP and green tea. GABA, magnesium, and theanine can also help,
as can omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D.

Your Personalized Recommendations

MENTAL WORKOUTS

No matter what your age, your brain has the ability to form new connections and neurons --
a phenomenon known as neuroplasticity. In a way, your brain is like a muscle – the more
you use it, the stronger it gets! New learning and brain games can support your memory
and focus, ability to shift mood, resilience to stress, and more!

Start Training
 

MOTIVATION

If you want to feel happier, healthier and have more energy, define what motivates you to
want to change and look at them every day!

Journal your progress -- Studies show that people who journal are twice as successful in
achieving their goals. Being able to see your progress is a great motivator that will keep you
on track and headed in the right direction!

STRENGTHEN YOUR MIND

Hypnosis, meditation, killing the ANTs (automatic negative thoughts), and expressing daily
gratitude and appreciation are all powerful tools to decrease stress, help keep your mind
strong, and your body resilient to the negative effects of stress.

BRAIN HEALTHY NUTRITION

Your brain is the most energy-hungry organ in your body, using 25% of the calories you
consume. One of the quickest ways to better brain function is learning the right foods to
choose and the ones to lose. Eat right so you can think right!

Brain Type 8 generally does better with a diet balanced between protein and complex
carbohydrates. This type of diet will boost dopamine and serotonin levels naturally. It will
also help balance your blood sugar, help you focus, and provide the necessary building
blocks for brain health.
 

BRAIN SUPPORTING SUPPLEMENTS

The addition of high-quality supplements to your health regimen can support how your
brain functions, making it easier for you to follow a brain-healthy program. For Brain Type 8,
I often recommend the following supplements:

Focus & Energy– to help support dopamine levels and focus. It contains green tea
extract, ginseng, rhodiola, choline, and ashwagandha
Serotonin Mood Support – to help support serotonin levels and a positive mood. It
contains saffron and 5HTP
Everyday Stress Relief or GABA – to help support healthy GABA neurotransmitter
levels and a sense of inner peace
Vitamin D – to support a healthy immune system and mood
Brain Supplement Essentials everyone should be taking:
Brain and Body Power, which includes:
NeuroVite Plus – a comprehensive, powerful multi-
vitamin/mineral complex
Omega-3 Power – a highly potent and ultra-purified fish oil
Brain and Memory Power Boost – our unique formula to support
blood flow and connectivity in the brain
ProBrainBiotics – a brain-directed probiotic, because the health of your
gut is essential to the health of your brain

Shop Supplements
 

PHYSICAL EXERCISE

Strengthen your body to boost your thinking, memory, and focus and reduce the risk for
age-related cognitive decline. For Brain Type 8:

Walk like you’re late for 45 minutes, 4 times a week

Lift weights twice a week
Participate in coordination activities such as table tennis and dance

KNOW YOUR NUMBERS

You cannot change what you do not measure! Know and optimize the following numbers on
a yearly basis to keep your brain strong.

Body mass index (BMI) C-reactive protein

Blood pressure Homocysteine
Complete blood count Cholesterol
Vitamin D level DHEA
Thyroid levels (TSH, free T3 and free Free and total testosterone
T4)
Fasting blood sugar

COMMUNITY

Build your own support community to stay on track! The more you learn about brain health,
the more you can teach the people around you, creating that necessary support system.
Teach your spouse, children, co-workers, and friends to take better care of their brains. Help
them to start by taking the Brain Health Assessment.