Australian dementia/brain monitoring app BrainTrack wins Google gong

Developed by Dementia Australia and Deakin University's Applied Artificial Intelligence Institute (AI) Institute, the app was recognised overall as one of the best apps in the Australian market in Google Play's Best of 2023 Awards.

Google described BrainTrack as captivating and applauded its "unique focus on declining cognitive abilities and its ingenious combination of two beloved activities: travel and learning."

The app has also achieved further international recognition reaching the finals of the Asia-Pacific Information Communications Technology Alliance Awards in Hong Kong.

Dementia Australia chief executive Maree McCabe said it was fantastic to see BrainTrack, which has been downloaded more than 60,000 times since being launched in October 2022, recognised for the way it promotes early diagnosis of dementia.

"With more than 400,000 Australians living with dementia - which is projected to increase to more than 800,000 by 2058 - improving early diagnosis must be a priority," Ms McCabe said.

BrainTrack helps individuals explore common cognitive concerns and provides brain health information through fun, travel-themed games that have been adapted from validated cognitive testing. Users can share their results with their GP to support the early identification of cognitive changes over time that may warrant further testing.

"I congratulate the incredible team behind this groundbreaking tool that is increasing the understanding of dementia and raising awareness about the importance of monitoring and talking about brain health," Ms McCabe said.

The development of BrainTrack was funded by the Australian Government.

BrainTrack is available for download for free through the Apple App Store or Google Play.

For more information visit www.dementia.org.au/braintrack or call the National Dementia Helpline on 1800-100-500.

The full list of Google Play's best apps of 2023 is here.