84% Success Rate? How We Reverse Cognitive Decline in Boulder, Colorado

Last Updated: November 2025

In this FAQ, Dr. Jessica Knape of HealthSpan Internal Medicine in Boulder, CO, highlights that published research shows an 84% success rate with the ReCODE Protocol when root causes of cognitive decline are properly identified and treated. Using genomics and advanced diagnostics, Dr. Knape provides highly personalized care to help reverse or slow cognitive decline.

The ReCODE Protocol (Reversal of Cognitive Decline), created by Dr. Dale Bredesen, has shown an 84% success rate in published clinical research by Bredesen, Toups, and colleagues. This number comes from peer-reviewed studies demonstrating that 84% of appropriately selected patients experienced measurable cognitive improvement or stabilization when following a personalized, multi-factor protocol.

While no approach can promise a cure, these outcomes reveal something important:
When the root causes of cognitive decline are identified and treated early, the brain can recover more than previously believed possible.

At HealthSpan Internal Medicine in Boulder, CO, in our BrainSpan ReCODE protocol we combine the ReCODE Protocol with IntellxxDNA clinical genomics, advanced diagnostics, metabolic repair, and a personalized plan designed to reverse—or slow—cognitive decline. As a physician who spent 10 years in memory care and has lost multiple family members to Alzheimer’s, this mission is personal to me. I’ve seen where drugs fall short, and I’ve seen the real-world impact when root-cause medicine is finally applied.

BrainSpan Brief

• The “84% success rate” comes from published studies showing measurable improvement or stabilization in cognitive scores among ReCODE participants.

• Success means improvement or stability—not a cure—and is strongest in early Alzheimer’s and mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

• ReCODE works because it treats the root causes of cognitive decline: metabolic dysfunction, inflammation, toxins, hormone imbalance, nutrient deficits, infections, sleep issues, and genetics.

• At HealthSpan Internal Medicine, we use IntellxxDNA genomics to individualize every plan.

• Our approach is medically supervised, safety-first, and evidence-informed.

Key Points

• ReCODE’s 84% success refers to objective improvements measured through validated cognitive assessments.

• Early intervention makes the biggest difference; MCI and early Alzheimer’s respond best.

• Genomics (IntellxxDNA) guides highly targeted, personalized interventions.

• The program addresses 10–30+ contributors to brain decline simultaneously.

• We focus heavily on metabolic repair, inflammation reduction, toxin removal, hormone balance, sleep optimization, and nutrient replenishment.

• The approach is safe, structured, and medically supervised to ensure appropriate monitoring and progress.

What the 84% Success Rate Really Means

When people hear “84% success,” they often ask: What does success mean? And where does that number come from?

1. It comes from peer-reviewed clinical research

Several published papers (Toups, Bredesen, et al.) evaluated individuals with MCI or early Alzheimer’s using the ReCODE Protocol. These studies documented:

• Objective improvement in cognitive test scores

• Stabilization in cases that were previously declining

• Better quality of life

• Improvement in daily functioning

Across these studies, 84% of participants improved or stabilized, meaning their cognitive decline slowed—or reversed—compared to their pre-treatment trajectory.

2. Success does NOT mean cure

ReCODE does not cure Alzheimer’s.
Instead, success means:

• Measurable improvement in memory, focus, or processing

• Stabilization instead of continued decline

• Better day-to-day function and cognition

• Improved lab markers tied to brain health

• Enhanced metabolic and inflammatory patterns

3. It works best when started early

Late-stage Alzheimer’s is much harder to reverse because structural damage has accumulated. But in early stages—especially subjective cognitive decline and mild cognitive impairment—the brain retains a remarkable ability to repair and reorganize.

This is where ReCODE shines.

Why ReCODE Works: Addressing Root Causes

Most Alzheimer’s drugs target a single pathway, typically amyloid. But cognitive decline almost always involves multiple, interacting contributors, including:

• Insulin resistance

• Mitochondrial dysfunction

• Chronic inflammation

• Hormonal decline (especially in midlife and menopause)

• Toxic exposures (mold, metals, pollutants)

• Nutrient deficiencies

• Sleep disorders (especially sleep apnea)

• Chronic infections

• Gastrointestinal dysbiosis

• Vascular problems

• Genomic vulnerabilities (APOE, detox genes, methylation genes, etc.)

ReCODE works because it systematically evaluates all of these and builds a plan that is unique to each patient.

How We Reverse Cognitive Decline at HealthSpan Internal Medicine

Our Boulder, Colorado practice personalizes the ReCODE framework using advanced diagnostic tools and decades of clinical experience.

Here’s how we approach it:

1. Comprehensive Medical Evaluation

We begin with a high-resolution assessment that includes:

• Detailed history

• Cognitive baseline testing

• Sleep evaluation

• Environmental exposure review

• Medication and supplement assessment

• Nutrition, stress, and lifestyle mapping

This gives us the full picture of what may be contributing to cognitive symptoms.

2. Advanced Lab Testing

Because cognitive decline is multi-factorial, the lab panel is thorough and includes:

• Fasting insulin, glucose, HbA1c

• CRP, homocysteine, cytokine markers

• Thyroid, adrenal, sex hormones

• Lipid and vascular markers

• Vitamin and nutrient status

• Gut-immune markers

• Mycotoxin and heavy metal testing as indicated

• Metabolomix testing as indicated

• Stool testing as indicated

These markers help us map what is affecting the brain today—not just what might affect it someday.

3. Precision Genomic Testing (IntellxxDNA)

This step is foundational.

IntellxxDNA genomics reveals individual-level risks and pathways that conventional testing misses, such as:

• Detoxification gene variants

• Inflammatory pathways

• Hormone metabolism variants

• APOE-specific risks

• Methylation issues

• Mitochondrial weaknesses

• Nutrient transport genes

• Vascular and lipid genes

• Genes linked to amyloid regulation

By integrating genomics with clinical data, we create a plan that is as precise as possible.

4. Personalized Treatment Plan

Each individualized plan may include:

Metabolic Repair

• Low-glycemic or ketogenic nutrition

• Improving insulin sensitivity

• Supporting mitochondrial function

• Safe weight loss and body recomposition

Inflammation Reduction

• Gut restoration

• Anti-inflammatory nutrients

• Immune modulation as needed

Hormone Optimization

Using a safety-first approach, we evaluate and support:

• Thyroid

• Adrenal health

• Sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone)

• Neurosteroid hormones such as Pregnenolone

• Melatonin

Detoxification Support

If appropriate:

• Mold and mycotoxin detox

• Heavy metal reduction

• Safer home/environment recommendations

Sleep Restoration

• Sleep apnea assessment

• Sleep hygiene optimization

• Melatonin and circadian rhythm balancing

• Biometric sleep analysis

Cognitive Training

Brain exercises to enhance neuroplasticity.

Ongoing Monitoring

We track

• Cognitive scores

• Lab markers

• Symptom progression

• Genomics-guided adjustments

Lifestyle adherence

Who This Approach Helps Most

ReCODE works best for individuals who are:

• Experiencing early memory changes

• Diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI)

• In early Alzheimer’s

• At high risk due to family history or APOE status

• Motivated to participate in a structured, medically supervised program

It is less effective once Alzheimer’s is advanced, when structural brain changes become severe and irreversible.

Safety, Side Effects, and Medical Oversight

This program is medically supervised and tailored to each patient. Potential side effects or considerations may include:

• Temporary fatigue as metabolism shifts

• Digestive changes during gut healing

• Headaches during detoxification protocols

• Hormone-related changes during optimization

Close monitoring ensures that any side effects are addressed promptly and safely.

When to Seek Urgent Care

Call emergency services if you or a loved one experiences:

• Sudden confusion or disorientation

• Difficulty speaking, one-sided weakness, or facial drooping

• Severe headache or sudden vision changes

• Chest pain or trouble breathing

These may indicate a stroke or other urgent medical issue.

Sources

1. Reversal of Cognitive Decline: A Novel Therapeutic Program

Bredesen DE, 2014

This landmark paper was the first to demonstrate that cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment could be reversed using a comprehensive, personalized therapeutic protocol. It documents case studies showing measurable improvement within months, laying the foundation for what is now known as the ReCODE Protocol.

Read the full article:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25324467/

2. Precision Medicine Approach to Alzheimer’s Disease

Toups K, Bredesen DE et al., 2022

This clinical trial evaluated the ReCODE/precision-medicine approach in a larger cohort, showing that most participants experienced significant improvements in cognitive testing over 9 months. The study reinforces that targeted, multi-domain interventions can stabilize or reverse early Alzheimer’s disease.

Read the full article:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36365455/

3. ReCODE: A Personalized, Targeted, Multi-Factorial Therapeutic Program for Reversal of Cognitive Decline

Rao RV, Bredesen DE et al., 2021

This peer-reviewed paper outlines the scientific foundation of the ReCODE Protocol and documents measurable cognitive improvements in individuals with early Alzheimer’s disease and MCI. It highlights how a precision-medicine, multi-factorial approach can stabilize or reverse decline—supporting the idea that improvements often emerge over the first several months of treatment.

Read the full article:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8533598/

4. Sustained Cognitive Improvement in Alzheimer’s Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment Following a Precision Medicine Protocol

Bredesen DE et al., 2024

This publication presents long-term follow-up data showing that many patients not only improve on the ReCODE Protocol but maintain gains for multiple years. It provides real-world evidence that cognitive benefits can emerge gradually and continue to strengthen with ongoing protocol adherence.

Read the full article:
https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/12/8/1776v

5. Reversal of Cognitive Decline: 100 Patients

Bredesen DE et al., 2018

This expanded case-series analysis follows 100 patients treated with the ReCODE Protocol, demonstrating consistent cognitive improvements across multiple subtypes of Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment. The paper provides real-world evidence that a personalized, multi-domain therapeutic approach can produce measurable gains in memory, executive function, and daily performance—often within the first several months of intervention.

Read the full article:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30005175/

Medically reviewed by
Dr. Jessica Knape, MD, MA Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Integrative and Holistic Medicine
Healthspan Internal Medicine — serving patients in Boulder, CO

Book a Discovery Call | About Dr. Knape

This content is for educational purposes and does not replace personalized medical advice.