Scaling Memory and Brain Function Care: An Interview with Dr. Julius Bruch, CEO and Founder of Isaac Health

Hanna: To start, would you tell me about your background and what led you to found Isaac Health?

Julius: I originally trained as a medical doctor but quickly transitioned into full-time research on the molecular mechanisms and potential drug targets of dementia. I have always been passionate about this area of healthcare, partly because my grandmother suffered from an atypical form of dementia. It took our family a long time to reach the correct diagnosis and understand her condition. Additionally, I find it to be one of the most research-intense and dynamic sectors of healthcare.

Later, I spent seven and a half years at McKinsey, where I saw dementia from the payer perspective. I realized how much this population is typically underdiagnosed and undermanaged. This led me to reach out to Joel Salinas—the former clinical director of the Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Brain Health—who became my co-founder and Chief Medical Officer. Together, we set out to build an end-to-end platform that enables specialist dementia care to be delivered at scale.

Addressing the Specialist Shortage

Hanna: Could you elaborate on Isaac Health and the specific problems you are addressing?

Julius: Fundamentally, we address everything related to dementia, cognitive health, and brain health through a comprehensive platform of services that supports the patient journey end-to-end. We primarily work with payers and, increasingly, health systems.

For patients, the journey generally follows four steps, beginning with analytics-based screening. Instead of relying on a specific app or device, we use AI-based data screening that is 90% accurate in identifying dementia cases. We then ensure patients are assessed properly and complete their treatment and care management.

The core problem we are solving is the severe lack of specialists. There are only 370 behavioral neurologists in the U.S., many of whom are also extensively involved in research. Our technology upskills non-specialist providers, such as general neurologists and geriatricians, to close to the level of a behavioral neurologist. We provide real-time prompts and analytics-based workflow guidance to allow these doctors to provide specialist-level care.

The Healthcare Ecosystem and Technology

Hanna: How do you work within the broader healthcare ecosystem?

Julius: We work with payers, but dementia care is often partnership-based and tailored to the patient’s needs. In many regions, we collaborate with local support groups, other specialists, and community-based organizations to deliver various parts of the care model.

Hanna: How is Isaac leveraging technology to improve outcomes and care delivery?

Julius: It begins with our patent-pending AI screening platform. The system pulls in various channels of data, including claims and other available health information, to arrive at an accurate prediction of whether a person has dementia. This system is self-learning and improves over time. Beyond screening, our technology informs workflows and upskills non-specialists, which is the only way to deliver this level of care at scale.

Industry Tailwinds and Future Trends

Hanna: What tailwinds in therapeutics or payment models are currently supporting your business?

Julius: There are several significant tailwinds. When we started, there were no FDA-approved treatments; now there are two, with more than hundred phase two and three clinical trials underway. We expect more approvals later this year, including an injectable pen for Alzheimer’s. While these new treatments only apply to a small minority of patients, there is also more and more evidence for the effectiveness of non-medication treatments.

Because the field is becoming so dynamic, it requires the type of specialist navigation we provide. Furthermore, Medicare’s new GUIDE model has brought significant attention and credibility to the space. While most of our patients are not in that specific model—as it only covers traditional Medicare—it remains a great tailwind for the industry.

Hanna: Which broader healthcare trends excite you most today?

Julius: We are excited about data opportunities and AI. We are entering an era where comprehensive datasets allow complex treatment decisions to be driven by evidence and data rather than a doctor's "gut feeling". Technology is moving at a pace where doctors can become more focused on complex cases, which can significantly improve the overall health system.

Leadership and Long-Term Vision

Hanna: As a founder, what is the best piece of advice you have received, and how has it shaped Isaac Health?

Julius: The idea that a company is, first and foremost, its people. That may have sounded abstract or "soft" to me once, but I now see it as a central axiom. You can have the best technology, but if you don't have the right people to execute the vision, it will go nowhere. This philosophy shapes how we think about the Isaac Health team.

Hanna: What is your long-term vision for the company?

Julius: The need is growing rapidly; there are 7 million dementia patients in the U.S. today, and that number is expected to reach 15 million in fifteen years. The industry is constantly changing with new medications and treatments. I am most excited about leading Isaac Health into this new and better era of treatment.