Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease Treatment
A therapeutic, personalized program, the Bredesen Protocol identifies, targets, and treats the root cause of cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease—unlike pharmaceuticals, which simply mask symptoms.
The Bredesen Protocol looks at each person as a whole system and identifies individual metabolic imbalances that have led to the programmed downsizing of cognitive function.
The protocol utilizes multiple personalized strategies to improve cognition and reverse the cognitive decline of SCI (subjective cognitive impairment), MCI (mild cognitive impairment) and early Alzheimer’s disease.
We currently offer the Bredesen Protocol near you in select clinics. Schedule an appointment at our in Silver Spring, MD, clinic, which serves Montgomery County and surrounding communities, including Bethesda, Tacoma Park, Kensington, Langley Park, and Washington, D.C.
Alzheimer's Disease Symptoms vs. Normal Aging
Alzheimer’s Disease Symptoms | Normal Aging |
|---|---|
Memory loss that disrupts daily life, especially forgetting newly learned information | Forgetting newly learned information such as appointments or names but being able to recall them later
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Having difficulty solving everyday problems such as paying bills | Making occasional errors but none that are significant or out of the ordinary
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Struggling to complete familiar tasks such as driving home or to work | Needing help setting up new equipment or electronics
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Losing track of dates, seasons, or time | Temporarily forgetting the day but having the ability to recall it laterTingling
|
Difficulty judging distance, spatial relationships, and contrast | Worsening vision caused by cataracts |
Trouble recalling words for things, following conversations, and speaking | Shortness of breath
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Misplacing items and not being able to retrace steps | Unusual pain
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Poor judgement or decision-making; inability to multitask | Confusion
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Social withdrawal | Difficulty regulating body temperature |
Changes in personality and mood | Becoming irritated when things are not done a particular and preferred way. |
Ready to get started?
Forum Health is committed to being on the leading-edge of the emerging Bredesen treatment protocols. Currently available in our Silver Spring, MD clinic.
The many types of Dementia
Take our quick dementia assessment. Or, if you are a concerned observer, answer from your observations of their behavior. If you or the observed person have more than 1 of the listed symptoms above, a cognitive evaluation is in order.
Signs and symptoms of AD are not normal signs of aging. If you or someone you love is experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to make an appointment as possible because AD worsens over time.
AD is a progressive disease and although there is no cure, the Bredesen’s protocol has been able to slow and reverse cognitive decline. Remember, the earlier AD is caught, the easier it is to successfully manage dementia and treatment.
Once a person has noticeable symptoms, they are in the later stages of cognitive decline. AD has an initial “silent phase,” where brain degeneration is occurring but these changes are not detectable using objective tests. Patients may, however, notice slight memory and cognitive changes.
What can a person do to minimize their risk for developing AZ and reverse cognitive decline?
Given that science has not yet established a specific causal factor, it is believed that the development of the disease is based on a combination of genetics (APOE), lifestyle factors, history of head trauma (ex. Athletes like football players), mitochondrial damage and toxin exposure including biotoxins (Mold exposure). From our functional medicine underpinning, we know that mitochondrial damage can be initiated by free radical damage and that this can be mitigated through effective detoxification, proper nutritional supplementation, ensuring gut health, healthy eating and other lifestyle factors. From our knowledge about the damage inflicted by CIRS (Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome from mold exposure) it is easy to conceptualize how CIRS is related to cognitive decline as may CIRS patients experience reversible cognitive decline if CIRS is left untreated.
After much research, Dr. Lawson determined that the Bredesen protocol provides the best evidenced-based approach to diagnosing and treating cognitive decline from AD and related illnesses. The world renowned Dr. Dale Bredesen has created the ReCODE protocol that involves multiple strategies to address specific health issues that contribute to Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). The results of each strategy are measured by using blood tests, cognitive evaluations, dementia tests, and other markers of overall health improvements. Dr. Lawson is now a Bredesen Certified doctor, ReCode 2.0 as she has completed the study and certification requirements to be able to offer patients the full Bredesen ReCODE protocol to help them recover from these debilitating illnesses. The only way to get this care is to see a Bredesen protocol doctor, Certified under ReCode 2.0 to ensure you are getting the best possible care.
At the forefront of this functional medicine approach to AD is Dr. Dale Bredesen and his team from the Buck Institute for Research on Aging. Through careful examination of the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s, Doctor Bredesen and his team have found promising results. They have developed a multiple modality approach to achieving what they call metabolic enhancement for neurodegeneration (MEND), now referred to as Reversal of Cognitive Decline or Bredesen ReCODE.
Through the approach Doctor Bredesen has developed, patients have been able to dramatically improve cognitive function, achieve reversal of symptoms, and in some cases, return to work. The ReCODE program includes lifestyle interventions, therapeutic diets, and targeted nutrients.
Baseline Bredesen Evaluation
We have two ways that we engage with patients seeking the Bredesen Protocol. First is our Baseline Bredesen Evaluation is suitable for patients that are asymptomatic — meaning that beyond the normal age-related decline, the patient does not have any meaningful cognitive decline. Dr. Bredesen refers to this scenario as a “PreCode” patient. Our Baseline Bredesen Evaluation is the starting point for PreCode patients or those that don’t know their status and risk factors. The baseline Evaluation includes all of the following:
- Baseline labs and physical examination. A very complete set of baseline labs that will evaluate the entire spectrum of health and a baseline physical examination closely following the Bredesen protocol. This goes well beyond standard labs to include magnesium, zine and selenium levels, B6, B12 and folate levels, Omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acid levels, pre-diabetes evaluation, hormone levels, thyroid levels as well as specific immune markers like TH1, TH2, IL6 and TNF. These labs are not included in our fee as they are billed to your insurance. For patients that do not have insurance or that have insurance that denies many labs, these baseline labs can be purchased from Apollo Health for the very reduced price of $780 plus the required Apollo membership at $75/month.
- A baseline Cognitive Assessment. This is to establish a baseline and evaluate you against an age-specific norm to determine the state of your cognitive function today. We are using the CNS Vital Signs cognitive assessment, one of the most highly regarded assessments in the industry. In addition, we will also perform the standard MoCA test as well.
- Apolipoprotein E (APOE) genetic test. This test is generally not covered by insurance but is an important component to our assessment. It will be included on the insurance panel. If in doubt about coverage, contact your insurance carrier directly.
- A physical examination.
- 2-hour consultation with our ReCode 2.0 Certified Physician. This will cover the review of the lab results and a detailed plan of action to address sub-optimal areas identified in the Evaluation.
The cost for the Bredesen Baseline Evaluation is $1975 and includes the components listed above.
Bredesen Protocol Complete Brain Health Optimization Program
For patients that have Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) or more severe cognitive impairment, our complete Brain Health Optimization (BHO) Evaluation Program is the suggested starting point. At this point, time is no longer in your favor so the BHOP adds several extensive testing components that allow us to quickly identify the full scope of areas to be addressed.
Note that the BHOP includes all components above plus the additional ones listed below.
Part 1: Baseline Cognitive Assessment including the MoCA and the CNS Vital signs detailed evaluation across 10 domains of cognitive health (eg. memory, executive function, reaction time, cognitive flexibility, etc.)
Part 2: Physical Examination (usually on same day as Part 1)
Part 3: First of 2 x 2hr comprehensive appointments with Dr. Lawson. Day 1 is mostly focused on understanding test results and how they are contributing to the present state of the patient.
Part 4: Second of 2 x 2 hr with your Bredesen-Protocol doctor. This appointment can be in office or it can be a tele-video visit to cover the remaining tests that were not covered in the initial visit and review the core elements of a personalized treatment plan. In this visit, we will present the results of our evaluation in a personalized “cognoscopy”. We are sure that it will be enlightening.
Ready to get started?
Our Silver Spring, MD clinic is currently offering the Bredesen Protocol. Contact us today to schedule an appointment
FAQ
What is the Bredesen approach?
The Bredesen approach, also called the ReCODE Protocol, is a personalized program designed to identify and address many factors that may contribute to memory loss or cognitive decline. A ReCODE-trained provider evaluates labs, lifestyle, and health history to create a tailored plan that may include diet, supplements, sleep optimization, and other integrative therapies. If you’re searching for the Bredesen Protocol near me in Northern Virginia or Maryland, our Bredesen certified providers can guide you through a plan designed around your unique needs.
How can dementia be reversed holistically?
While there is no guaranteed way to reverse dementia, holistic approaches like the Bredesen Protocol may help slow decline, support stability, or improve day-to-day function in certain individuals, especially during early stages. By addressing multiple root causes, such as inflammation, blood sugar, gut health, toxins, and nutrient imbalances, ReCODE certified providers might help patients regain some clarity and quality of life. If you’re looking for holistic dementia care or ReCODE providers near me in Northern Virginia and Maryland, our clinics may be able to help.
What foods are allowed on the Bredesen diet?
The Bredesen diet, called KetoFLEX 12/3, is a whole-foods approach designed to support brain health and metabolic balance. It often includes:
- Non-starchy vegetables in a wide variety of colors
- Clean proteins such as wild-caught fish or pasture-raised poultry
- Healthy fats like olive oil, avocados, nuts, and seeds
- Low-glycemic fruits, such as berries
If you’re searching for Bredesen diet guidance near me in Northern Virginia or Maryland, our ReCODE certified providers can help tailor recommendations based on your labs and goals.
What supplements are on the Bredesen protocol?
There is no universal supplement list for the Bredesen Protocol. Instead, a ReCODE-trained provider may recommend nutrients based on your lab results and health profile. Common options might include omega-3s, vitamin D, B-complex vitamins, magnesium, or antioxidants. Additional supplements may be suggested to support blood sugar, mitochondrial function, sleep, or detox pathways. If you’re looking for Bredesen Protocol supplements or ReCODE providers near me in Northern Virginia and Maryland, our clinics can provide personalized supplement guidance.