The great news this month (with Alzheimer’s Day coming up on the 21st) as Dale Bredesen, MD, from UCLA, noted in The End of Alzheimer’s, we now know how to prevent this disease, and even reverse related symptoms, in most cases, if the right actions are taken soon enough! And last month my partner, Bryan Turner, MD, and I attended Dr. Bredesen’s Advanced Clinical Training on Reversing Cognitive Decline, to learn what he says those actions need to be. He and his team of practitioners have now reversed, more than 400 cases of serious cognitive decline including some with mid-stage Alzheimer’s. For examples click here, and watch minutes 4:00 to 8:30 of this fascinating interview with Dr. Bredesen (then click the back arrow upper left to return here for how that’s done.) Obviously there was much more info presented than I can share here. But I want to share four of the most important and most practical principles and related practices, now being applied for reversing cognitive decline.
Major Contributors and 5 Types
First, you know there are a variety of causes of cognitive decline, including strokes and other vascular problems, heart problems, alcohol abuse (Korsakoff’s syndrome), Lewy bodies dementia, associated with Parkinson’s, traumatic brain injuries, Lyme’s disease, and “mad cow’s” disease, in addition to Alzheimer’s and several others. But just in the field of Alzheimer’s, his research suggests there are at least 6 different subtypes of Alzheimer’s. Even though the manifesting symptoms may be quite similar. These subtypes and some related causes are as follows:
- Inflammatory (hot) – caused by weak genes (ApoE4), oxidative stress, infections, with low levels of folic acid and/or B-12.1.5 Blood sugar related (sweet) – high simple carb/sugar , soda diet, insulin resistance, diabetes.
- Atrophic (cold) – a lack of essential hormones like thyroid, adrenal, pregnenolone, DHEA, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, vitamin D, micro lithium, lack of exercise.
- Toxic (vile) – exposure to lead, aluminum, mercury, molds, tics – lymes disease, pesticides, fumes, etc., in combination with suboptimal glutathione or an overwhelmed immune system.
- Vascular (pale) – partially blocked, or atrophied arteries, high blood pressure, strokes, TIA’s, heart blockages, bleeds, heart surgeries, lack of exercise, etc.
- Traumatic (dazed) – repeated blows to the head, falls, car accidents, head injuries, concussions, etc
Of course there are various things that can contribute to each of these. Dr Bredesen says likely more than 60 factors, but hopefully less than 100. This is important for reversing cognitive decline because of the following principles and required actions.
Four Key Principles and Actions to Pursue
Principle # 1 In order to reverse cognitive decline, it’s important to first identify the underlying causes of that decline. Otherwise progress may to be short lived or impossible.
Required actions: Identify as many possible contributors from the above noted list and others. I have a 70+ item questionnaire I can send to you, which will help to identify most underlying risk factors. I can also send you a list of recommended blood tests you may want to request.
Principle # 2 Once the underlying contributors or factors are identified they will be easier to resolve or eliminate, and this should lead to symptom reduction.
Required actions: Apply the latest research related to the particular underlying issues, to overcome any risk factors or vulnerabilities. Ideally find a Functional Medicine Practitioner in your area, trained in the Bredesen Protocol, or contact us for further assistance in finding what you need to resolve your/their issues.
Principle # 3 Objective as well as subjective measures of ability are important to know if you or the person being treated is on the right track and making progress.
Required actions: Identify and take a few tests, ideally both abilities tests and blood tests, as well as the observations of others, to measure and track progress.
The most appropriate abilities tests will depend on the individual’s levels of ability to begin with. There are some basic blood tests that will apply to most people, others depend on their most likely contributing factors. And because people with memory problems often forget what they forgot, the observations of others can be very helpful as well.
Principle # 4 Because every person is different, and significant losses may have occurred, rebuilding the brain takes time, and needs may change as people progress. Seldom is the perfect solution arrived at on the first try. So it usually takes some tweeking to optimize performance.
Required actions: If good progress is not made initially (usually takes 2-5 months to see good progress), continue to experiment on various potential remedies, until you find a good combination that arrests the decline, and then enables improvements.
This is why objective testing is important, as the person may not be able to see much progress initially. Sensitive behavioral measures, others observations, and some basic blood work can help to determine if the interventions are working, until better progress is more visible.
Patient Persistence Pays Off – Gotta Give It Time
Generally in the early weeks and months, progress is very slow if not imperceptible. Often the person will say things like. “Sometimes I feel I’m doing better, but I can’t tell if that’s real or wishful thinking.“ And often people with more serious impairments will continue their decline for several months until enough structures have been improved in the body to effect a measurable difference in performance. So it’s very important to be patient and persist with proven principles and practices in order to realize the desired outcomes. It likely took some time to compromise the brain and cause the decline. And will likely take some time to reverse that. One of the biggest problems is that people become too impatient and give up too soon.
If you know someone, experiencing cognitive decline who needs assistance, and you are a health care professional and would like to help them, let me know. I would be glad to share with you some of the tools you can use to help identify their needs and measure their abilities and progress. If you are not a healthcare professional and know someone with challenges feel free to give me a call or send me an email (801-529-8238 or David@abcbrain.org). We work with people all over the country, and may be able to help find local testing or providers who can help as well. The best news is that now, working together Alzheimer’s symptoms, and other related decline can now be reversed – in most cases! Dementia can be prevented, and lives can be changed! But it’s important that people not delay. Perhaps the most important principle to remember is that the sooner we get started the easier it is to reverse cognitive decline.
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Prevention Strategies 
