How Long Does It Take to See Results from the ReCODE Protocol?
Last Updated: November 2025
One of the most common questions patients and families ask is:
“How long will it take to see improvement with the ReCODE Protocol?”
In this FAQ, Dr. Jessica Knape of HealthSpan Internal Medicine in Boulder, CO, explains how results from the ReCODE Protocol vary by individual. Many people begin noticing changes within 6–12 weeks, with deeper cognitive improvements over 3–12 months. Using advanced diagnostics and IntellxxDNA genomics, Dr. Knape identifies each patient’s unique drivers of cognitive decline to create a personalized plan and set a realistic, hopeful timeline
The short answer is that results vary from person to person — but many individuals begin noticing meaningful changes within 6–12 weeks, with deeper improvements typically occurring over 3–12 months. Because the ReCODE Protocol addresses the specific root causes of cognitive decline, your timeline depends heavily on your Alzheimer’s subtype, underlying metabolic and inflammatory patterns, genomic factors, toxin burden, hormonal status, and your consistency with the plan.
At HealthSpan Internal Medicine in Boulder, CO, we use advanced diagnostics and IntellxxDNA genomics in our BrainSpan ReCODE programs to clarify your unique drivers of cognitive decline so we can personalize your program from day one and reduce the guesswork. With more than a decade of experience in memory care and cognitive
Here’s what to expect.
BrainSpan Insight
Many patients experience early improvements in 6–12 weeks.
Most deeper improvements occur over 3–12 months.
Stabilization (no further decline) is a major early success.
Metabolic and inflammatory changes improve fastest; hormone and toxin-related issues take longer.
Timelines depend on subtype, severity, and consistency.
IntellxxDNA genomics helps personalize care and speed results.
Early intervention leads to better outcomes.
Key Points
ReCODE timelines vary based on root causes, not a fixed schedule.
Type 1 (inflammatory) and Type 1.5 (glycotoxic) often improve fastest with metabolic repair.
Hormonal and toxin-driven subtypes may take months before full improvement is seen.
Stabilization is a highly meaningful early sign that the brain is recovering.
Lifestyle consistency significantly influences speed and depth of improvement.
Personalized genomics helps avoid ineffective “trial-and-error.”
Regular lab monitoring ensures safety and optimal progression.
What Influences the Timeline?
The speed of improvement depends on several factors:
1. Your Alzheimer’s Subtype
Each ReCODE subtype has its own timeline:
Inflammatory (Type 1) → responds fastest once inflammatory triggers are removed.
Glycotoxic (Type 1.5) → shows early changes when insulin resistance improves.
Atrophic (Type 2) → hormone and nutrient repair may take longer but can be very effective.
Toxic (Type 3) → improvements occur gradually as toxins are removed.
Vascular (Type 4) → depends heavily on blood flow and cardiovascular repair.
Traumatic (Type 5) → recovery varies based on the extent of injury.
2. Severity at Start
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) improves fastest.
Early Alzheimer’s responds well with consistent intervention.
Later stages are more focused on slowing decline and supporting quality of life
3. Your Personalized Biology
Genomics, hormone levels, metabolic health, toxin burden, nutrient status, sleep quality, and immune function all shape your timeline.
4. Your Commitment to the Plan
Consistency with nutrition, sleep, stress management, detox protocols, and supplementation dramatically influences results.
Typical Improvement Timeline
Weeks 1–6: Stabilization and Early Shifts
Most patients begin with comprehensive testing, nutrition changes, metabolic support, sleep optimization, and targeted supplements.
Common early experiences include:
Improved mental clarity
Better sleep and deeper rest
Mild improvement in word finding
Increased energy
Reduced brain fog
Better mood stability
For many, simply stabilizing — not worsening — is the first major win.
Stabilization alone indicates that metabolic and inflammatory pathways are beginning to normalize.
Weeks 6–12: Noticeable Cognitive Changes
As metabolic and inflammatory drivers improve, patients often begin seeing:
Better short-term recall
Faster processing
Clearer thinking
Improved focus and decision-making
Greater resilience to stress
More consistent daily functioning
These changes are stronger in metabolic (Type 1.5), inflammatory (Type 1), and atrophic (Type 2) subtypes.
Months 3–6: Deeper Functional Improvement
During this phase, the brain begins to reorganize and repair.
Patients often report:
Better organization and planning
Stronger verbal fluency
Greater independence with daily tasks
Improved relationships and communication
Better mood and engagement
This is also when toxin-related cases begin to show clearer improvement.
These changes are stronger in metabolic (Type 1.5), inflammatory (Type 1), and atrophic (Type 2) subtypes.
Months 6–12: Structural and Long-Term Changes
This phase focuses on maintaining gains and continuing deeper restoration.
Improvements may include:
More stable memory
Better retention of new information
Enhanced creativity and problem-solving
More consistent emotional balance
Noticeable improvements in daily life and confidence
In studies by Bredesen and Toups, these multi-month improvements correlated with objective gains in cognitive testing.
Why Stabilization Is a Major Win
Many families think improvement must mean dramatic change.
But with cognitive decline, not getting worse is often the most powerful—and hopeful—sign that the brain is healing.
Stabilization means:
Metabolic damage is slowing
Inflammation is dropping
Toxins are being cleared
Hormones are rebalancing
Neurodegeneration is being interrupted
Stabilization often comes before significant improvement.
How Genomics Can Speed Improvement
Using IntellxxDNA, we identify:
Which detox pathways are weak
Which inflammation genes need support
Hormone metabolism patterns
Oxidative stress vulnerabilities
Methylation and mitochondrial risks
APOE-related pathways impacting timeline
Targeted Supplements, Medications and Lifestyle Interventions
This personalization helps eliminate guesswork and accelerates results.
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/2227-9059/12/8/1776
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
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This content is for educational purposes and does not replace personalized medical advice.
