Deepinder Goyal-backed wearable startup Temple has reignited discussion in health technology circles after stating that Cerebral Blood Flow (CBF) is a proven biomarker for ageing in a recent social media post. Shared on X, the post drew attention to scientific research linking brain blood circulation with long-term health and longevity outcomes, positioning CBF as a critical indicator of neurological and overall health.
Cerebral Blood Flow refers to the amount of blood supplied to the brain per minute and reflects how effectively the brain’s oxygen and metabolic demands are met. Temple’s post cited findings from a landmark long-term study titled “Total Cerebral Blood Flow and Mortality in Old Age: A 12-Year Follow-Up Study,” which tracked older adults for nearly 12 years. The research found that individuals with lower total CBF faced significantly higher risks of all-cause, cardiovascular, and non-cardiovascular mortality. Participants in the lowest third of CBF levels were observed to have nearly double the risk of death compared to those with the highest CBF, even after accounting for other clinical risk factors.
Scientific literature has consistently shown that cerebral blood flow tends to decline with age and may be linked to cognitive decline and neurodegenerative conditions. These findings have positioned CBF as more than a momentary indicator of brain health, but as a potential long-term predictor of survival and ageing-related outcomes.
Temple’s wearable device, worn near the temple region of the head, is designed to continuously monitor cerebral blood flow in real time, offering a non-invasive view into brain health. The company has positioned the device as a research-focused tool aimed at advancing the study of ageing and longevity. However, experts have cautioned that while CBF is a scientifically recognised metric, the wearable itself has not yet undergone full clinical validation as a medical-grade diagnostic device.
