For physicians

About the study

Intuition is a virtual, observational study using an Apple Watch and iPhone to study both memory and thinking, and longer-term changes in brain health.

The total duration of participation is 2 years. Participants will complete assessments throughout the study in the Intuition app and on a computer or iPad. Each assessment will take between 2 and 30 minutes, for a total of just over 1 hour per month on average over the 2-year study. The study will use data from normal everyday use of an Apple Watch and iPhone in combination with a health and habits survey every 3 months and validated cognitive test batteries. The study aims to identify digital biomarkers to help measure changes in thinking and memory in adults, as well as identify longer-term changes in brain health. Some changes in brain health may occur normally as we age, while others could be an early indicator of certain forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease. This study, therefore, may be an important step toward better understanding overall brain health.

Intuition cohorts

Participants will be placed into 1 of the following cohorts depending on their responses to the prescreening questionnaire in the app:

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) cohort

Ages 50 to 86 years with a pre-existing diagnosis of MCI

Subjective cognitive complaint cohort

Ages 50 to 86 years who report subjective cognitive complaints but do not have a pre-existing MCI diagnosis

Early adulthood cohort

Ages 21 to 59 years without a pre-existing MCI diagnosis

Later adulthood cohort with lower risk for cognitive decline

Ages 60 to 86 years with a limited number of self-reported risk factors for cognitive decline

Later adulthood cohort with higher risk for cognitive decline

Ages 60 to 86 years with at least 2 self-reported risk factors for cognitive decline

In addition, we will be recruiting participants from a select number of dementia research centers into the following cohorts:

MCI cohort

Ages 50 to 86 years with a diagnosis of MCI based on established research criteria (e.g., National Institute on Aging Alzheimer’s Association [NIA-AA] diagnostic criteria for MCI)

Healthy volunteer cohort

Ages 50 to 86 years without evidence of cognitive impairment

Exploratory positive biomarker cohort

Ages 50 to 86 years without an MCI diagnosis but positive for an Alzheimer’s disease biomarker

Eligibility criteria

For the study to be successful, it’s important we have the participation of people from all walks of life and backgrounds – this means people of different ages, genders, races, ethnicities, and education levels. That’s because every brain is different, and each person’s contributions make the study’s findings that much more meaningful.

Eligible individuals must:

Be 21 to 86 years
of age*

Have and use an iPhone 8
(released in fall 2017) or later

Have access to Wi-Fi
or hardwired internet

Have an active
email address

Have a compatible computer
(Mac or Windows) or iPad

Live in the
United States

Be willing to wear an Apple Watch, which will be provided, on a daily basis

Biogen is committed to the power of diversity in its organization and among all patients. Every day, Biogen works toward helping close the access gap in both research and the healthcare system.

Learn more about our commitment to diversity.

*Now only enrolling ages 50–86.

About the technology

After a participant completes an informed consent form and provides their permission to share data in the Intuition app, data will be collected through an Apple Watch, iPhone, and a personal computer or iPad. The types of data collected will include contact information, demographic data, Health app data, sensor and usage data from the iPhone and Apple Watch, information entered into the Intuition app such as survey responses, and the results of cognitive assessments performed on a personal computer or iPad. Participants will be able to review the data fields that will be collected as part of the onboarding process in the Intuition app.

More information about what data is collected and how it may be used is described in the informed consent form, which can be accessed at any time from the Profile tab in the Intuition app.

The Intuition study does not provide any diagnosis or treatment. To learn more, please review the terms of use of the Intuition app.

How to refer a patient

To refer a patient, friend, or family member, click here to visit the referral page. We are grateful for any referrals as, for the study to be successful, it’s important we have the participation of people from all walks of life and backgrounds – this means people of different ages, genders, races, ethnicities, and education levels. That’s because every brain is different, and each person’s contributions make the study’s findings that much more meaningful.

If you have any additional questions that have not been answered here, please see our healthcare provider FAQs section.