What is the Bredesen Protocol?
On Dr. Bredesen’s website, the homepage states that “the Bredesen Protocol™ provides a comprehensive personalized program designed to improve cognition and support the reversal of cognitive decline of Severe Cognitive Impairment (SCI), Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), and early Alzheimer’s disease. Continued research and testing by Dr. Bredesen began by evolving MEND into The Bredesen Protocol™, which has identified new and previously unrecognized causes of Alzheimer’s disease.”
The Bredesen Protocol addresses all facets and possible causes of Alzheimer’s disease that includes lifestyle, medication, and nutrition. Dr. Bredesen looks to reverse the cognitive fog experienced by those with Alzheimer’s disease through a personalized plan that encompasses diet, lifestyle, as well as medication. This approach is deemed ReCODE.
Ending Alzheimer’s
and ReCODE
In his book, The End of Alzheimer’s: The First Program to Prevent and Reverse Cognitive Decline, Dr. Bredesen describes how Alzheimer’s is like a roof with thirty six holes, you can plug a one or two, but you will only slow the inevitable unless you plug them all. While current Alzheimer’s drugs work by plugging one or two of these holes, the ReCODE aids in plugging many more.
Detailed in his book, Dr. Bredesen describes the steps he suggests to slow and reverse cognitive decline, which have had success in patients that were in severe cognitive decline. This is done through supplements, diet (typically ketogenic to repair mitochondrial function), and other care provided by a certified Bredesen physician.
Finding a Bredesen Certified Physician
In order to determine if the ReCODE protocol is appropriate for you, you should contact a Bredesen certified physician. There are several Bredesen certified physicians , a few of which can be found here. Certified physicians will receive a certificate from Dr. Bredesen, and will say that they have been certified online making them easy to locate through an online search.
The Institute of Functional Medicine is the leading source of Bredesen certified physicians and an good resource for locating a physician who can perform the ReCODE protocol.
Another resource are local groups, that provide information and support on the ReCODE protocol.
What is the Mild Cognitive Impairment?
MCI causes a slight yet noticeable decrease in memory and other cognitive skills. It is not severe enough to interfere with daily life, thus individuals rarely seek treatment. Unfortunately, MCI affects 15-20 percent of people over the age of 65 and aids in the development of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
MCI has two types: amnestic MCI, which a person may begin to forget information that they had previously recalled easily, for example, recent conversations or events; and nonamnestic MCI, which is characterized by its impact on decision making as well as simple thinking tasks, such as visual perception or time management.
The cause of MCI is unknown at this time, however many physicians believe it to be caused by the early neurological changes that occur in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
What Can I expect from ReCODE?
The science behind the Bredesen Protocol is based on the idea of a “roof” with thirty six holes (note: the video says forty five holes). ReCODE is personalized for each patient in order to treat the differences in the types and severity of symptoms. Some patients may only have a few ‘holes’ that need to be addressed, whereas another may have many more ‘holes’ that need to be addressed. This personalized care is the next wave of medicine, which will require a more personal understanding of the patient coming from the physician. The supplements given to one patient may not be given to another patient with the same issue due to the different ways their bodies will react.