If you have been looking for a way to arrest cognitive decline, particularly that which is associated with “Alzheimer’s disease” (AD), then you likely have heard there is “nothing you can do, to prevent or slow,” let alone arrest or reverse AD.
But that appears to be misleading, because as Dale Bredesen, M.D. (the leading Alzheimer researcher in the world) notes: "We can't say that we have reversed Alzheimer's because there is no pathology yet to say that it's gone." In other words, there is no set of reliable signs of injury in the brain, that all doctors can agree on, point to and say, "this is Alzheimer's disease," and if we can just get rid of this, then brain health and function will be restored. "
What we can see and feel and point to consistently is a decline in various cognitive abilities, and changes in brain structures as detected by a volumetric MRI brain scan (which can show shrinkage in various regions of the brain).
Some might ask, "What about the beta amyloid plaques and tau tangles, that are often associated with AD?" Unfortunately, these are unreliable indicators, that are not easily detected while people are still alive. In the Nun study (where they administered ability tests over an extended period and then did biopsies after they passed), they found that the accumulation of beta-amyloid in the brain was not always a reliable predictor of test scores, or cognitive function. For example, one nun found to have extraordinarily high amyloid plaques in her brain, postmortem, had actually scored higher on the cognitive tests, shortly before her death, than most of her peers with less plaque.
Cognitive abilities are what's most important. What difference does it make in one’s quality of life, if they have some plaque in their brain, so long as it doesn’t adversely affect their functional abilities. Moreover, Dr. Bredesen notes, that amyloid-beta plaque actually appears to be part of a healthy immune response. Additionally, researchers in studies of elderly populations as in the Nun study, have found the brain can often rewire around this plaque via a process called neuroplasticity, if the person does not have high levels of inflammation, or low levels of vital nutrients, needed to protect the brain.
The Evidence for Intervention Efficacy So, as we await the settlement of the Alzheimer's debate, a newer much more encouraging picture has now emerged showing, from good research, that in fact there is much that can be done to arrest and even reverse cognitive decline, even among individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, if the correct actions are implemented soon enough.
Perhaps the most detrimental effect from the message that "there's nothing that can be done" to prevent or even slow AD, is it's discouraging consequences. At the very time when people need to be taking determined actions (found helpful in controlled studies) to reduce the effects of AD and related disorders, they are being told that there's nothing they can do that will make a difference. But this latest research is now proving that to be tragically wrong headed, as well as detrimental to the progress that might have been made.
The most successful researcher/practitioner in this field to date has been Dr. Bredesen, M.D., former director of the Neuroscience department at UCLA. In 2014 he published a seminal study in the journal Aging, wherein he showed a reversal of symptoms in 9 out of 10 cases of serious cognitive decline (9 of which were diagnosed as having AD), using an innovative new synergistic or multifaceted approach.
In 2016 another review of results from that study showed that not only was there a reversal of symptoms, such as performance on memory tests, and processing speed – one of the best indicators of brain health, but in several of these patients they were able to document a significant increase in volume in the hippocampus, the memory center of the brain. (One individual went from the 17th to the 75th percentile in hippocampus volume, suggesting more than a 50% increase in brain cells.) Moreover, the changes in their functional abilities were major, not just minor.
In 2018 they came out with another study showing reversal of different levels of cognitive decline from subjective decline to more serious decline in 100 patients. Moreover, since their first study first appeared a decade ago, Dr. Bredesen has now trained 100’s of practitioners in his protocol who are duplicating his results with literally thousands of individuals all over the world!
In 2022 results from another proof-of-concept trial with 25 participants ages 50-76, with early stage dementia or MCI, was published. Each patient was assessed for multiple potential contributors — inflammation, insulin resistance, nutrient and hormonal deficiencies, specific pathogens, toxicants, and biotoxins, as well as genetics — then treated with a personalized protocol that was continued for nine months.
Cognitive testing revealed that among the study participants, 21 improved (84%), one showed no change (4%), and three declined (12%). Objective evaluations with cognitive testing through CNS Vital signs demonstrated increased performance from the 38th to 63rd percentile — a 65.7% improvement!
But he is not the only one to achieve reversals, in 2024 Dr. Dean Ornish directed a study with 51 individuals with early stage Alzheimer's or other significant cognitive impairments.
After only 20 weeks, the comprehensive lifestyle intervention group (e.g. diet, exercise, stress management, dietary supplements) also showed statistically significant, improvements in cognitive function, on several tests of cognition. The placebo group did not.
These findings were further supported by observed changes in gut health (the microbiome) and improvements that correlate with the degree of lifestyle changes. Those who better adhered to the various interventions showed greater improvement in four measures of cognitive function.
In comparison to the latest Pharmaceutical studies, another major study showed that Dr. Bredesen's combined or synergistic approach, achieved an effect size (how much impact the treatment had) that was 6.5 times the effect size of the Legembi [drug] study, and 3.5 times the effect size of Kisunla [another new drug] study. Click here for a preview.
Which led Dr. Bredesen to reaffirm “there is now an effective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease at the presymptomatic stage, Subjective impairment, Mild cognitive impairment, and early dementia stage, for those who do not wait until late."
We will be reviewing that study here as the results are published. But we really don't need any more, as we now have more than enough info available showing that by improving diet, exercise, stress management, social interaction, hormones and reducing toxins, and a host of other biomarkers, substantial improvements can result.
To hear and see Dr. Bredesen talk about his revolutionary research and findings go to the following link (but as with most YouTube videos his interview is likely preceded by an advertisement, click [Skip] to pass over this).
For a written summary of his findings and subsequent research and protocols visit his webpage at: at: https://www.apollohealthco.com/bredesen-protocol/ If you know someone who doubts the validity of the above noted findings, we would encourage them to read Dr. Bredesen’s book, The First Survivors of Alzheimer’s.
Additionally, a new video documentary has just been released that documents the recovery and progress made by the first 9 subjects. It’s titled Memories for Life: Reversing Alzheimer’s click here https://memoriesforlifefilm.com/ to preview and download that video.
Follow the links below for more information and practical insights on what you can do NOW to prevent or arrest cognitive decline, even if resulting from AD. But, first for those who wonder, click the box below.
