A new diagnostic tool recently introduced on Guam could help address mental health challenges in the island’s veteran community by offering detailed brain mapping capabilities to diagnose conditions ranging from post-traumatic stress disorder to dementia. However, the technology is currently available only to Medicare recipients, highlighting ongoing health care access issues for veterans on the island.
The brain mapping system, introduced through the U.S.-based company Nufaze Health Solutions, has been available at the Hepzibah Family Medicine Clinic for the past three weeks. The noninvasive technology uses electrodes attached to a cap to measure brain activity while patients undergo cognitive challenges.
The Guam Daily Post spoke with Dr. Ugochukwu Akoma, who runs the Hepzibah Family Medicine Clinic.
“It’s like an (electroencephalogram) with all the functions of an EEG, but it looks at different parts of your brain while you do some challenges,” Akoma said. “With the eyes closed, eyes open, you look at some images, you interpret them, you share your thoughts. So, it’s able to actually see how your brain is responding to the images you’re looking at and how you’re answering the questions.”
The technology can help diagnose depression, PTSD and various degrees of dementia, according to Akoma. About 30 veterans have undergone the brain mapping procedure so far as part of an initial trial at the clinic, where approximately 60% of the patients are veterans, he said.
The initiative is being conducted in collaboration with HMI, a nonprofit organization focused on veterans’ services. Corina Ballesta, HMI vice president, emphasized the technology’s potential impact on the veteran community, particularly for those dealing with mental health challenges.
“I think the most important thing, and why it’s attractive to veterans, is because of the anxiety, depression and PTSD that a lot of veterans deal with,” Ballesta said.
The introduction of this diagnostic tool comes at a critical time, as many veterans are leaving Guam due to limited health care options, Ballesta said, adding that veterans face particular challenges accessing specialized care on the island.
“A lot of veterans don’t know they have access to free health care with the (Veterans Administration) system. But once they do get in the VA system, they’re having a hard time going to their appointments, they’re having a hard time getting the care because a lot of it requires referrals,” Ballesta said.
Regarding specialist care, Ballesta noted that Guam currently has only one ear, nose and throat doctor and one hearing specialist who see veteran patients just twice annually.
Akoma, himself a veteran, said he sees the brain mapping technology as potentially valuable for VA disability claims. “If we can objectively prove that you do have dementia, objective evidence, then that’s something we can use for your VA claim as well,” he said.
While the technology shows promise, its current limitation to Medicare coverage presents a significant barrier for many veterans who might benefit from it, Akoma said, adding that he hopes to expand access after the initial trial period.
“When we finish all this proof of concept, we can go to Medicaid and say, ‘Hey, this is how many people we tested, this is what the test revealed to us,'” he said.
The brain mapping system could also complement existing treatment options on the island, Akoma said, noting that patients diagnosed through brain mapping can be referred to the Todu Guam Foundation clinic for magnetic treatment targeting specific brain areas identified during the mapping process.
In the weeks and months ahead, health care providers across the island are evaluating the technology provided by Nufaze. “(Dr. Ramel A. Carlos) has had a demonstration. I believe Dr. Kimura has had a discussion with them. I know Dr. Johnny Lim and (Dr. Edgar M. Magcalas) have also had a discussion with them,” Akoma said.
For now, the Hepzibah clinic continues collecting data on the technology’s effectiveness while hoping to eventually expand access to more veterans and community members who might benefit from the diagnostic capabilities.
“I cannot guarantee what the results are going to be. I have read the research. I have read the program,” Akoma said. “I just want my veterans to give it a try and see how well it helps them. Then by the time we have more data of our own, we can shout it from the rooftops.”
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