What to Expect When You Begin the ReCODE Program
Last Updated: November 2025
In this FAQ, Dr. Jessica Knape of HealthSpan Internal Medicine in Boulder, CO, explains what patients can expect when starting the ReCODE Protocol. With ReCODE 2.0 certification and more than a decade of memory-care experience, she guides individuals through a personalized, root-cause approach to stabilizing and improving cognitive health.
Starting the ReCODE Protocol is a transformative experience for many individuals and families. Rather than offering a quick fix or a one-size-fits-all treatment, ReCODE is a precision-medicine program designed to uncover and treat the true causes of cognitive decline. If you or a loved one is beginning this journey, understanding what to expect can make the process feel more grounded, empowered, and hopeful.
At HealthSpan Internal Medicine in Boulder, Colorado, we guide patients through the ReCODE protocol. Dr. Knape is ReCODE 2.0 certified, has more than 10 years of hands-on memory-care experience, and extensive experience in advanced tools like IntellxxDNA genomics. Our goal is to help you feel supported, informed, and confident as we work together to stabilize and improve cognitive health.
Below is a clear overview of what to expect in your first days, weeks, and months on the ReCODE Protocol.
Overview
ReCODE begins with a deep, whole-person evaluation — far beyond a conventional memory visit.
Expect advanced testing: labs, genomics, toxins, hormones, vascular markers, inflammation, sleep, and gut health.
You receive a personalized roadmap, not a generic checklist.
Early wins usually appear in 2–12 weeks, including clearer thinking, better sleep, more energy, and stabilization.
The first 30–90 days focus on metabolic repair and removing roadblocks like inflammation, insulin resistance, toxins, and nutrient deficits.
IntellxxDNA genomics shapes your plan from day one.
Ongoing follow-ups ensure safe adjustments and continued improvement.
Results require realistic expectations, consistency, and collaboration.
Key Points
ReCODE is comprehensive: testing, genomics, lifestyle, metabolic repair, and targeted therapies.
Your plan is built on your unique drivers — no two plans look alike.
Early stabilization is a major milestone and a sign of progress.
Close monitoring ensures safety and effectiveness.
Dr. Knape’s memory-care background helps set realistic expectations and track meaningful clinical changes.
Patient participation is essential — lifestyle changes and adherence matter.
Your First Step: A Comprehensive, Whole-Person Evaluation
Most patients are surprised by how different the initial ReCODE assessment feels compared to a standard neurology visit.
Instead of a 10–20 minute appointment focused on symptoms, your evaluation includes:
1. A detailed history
We review:
Cognitive symptoms
Mood and mental health
Sleep quality
Medical history
Family history
Environmental exposures
Nutrition and lifestyle
Medications and supplements
Stress and trauma history
Gut and immune symptoms
This helps us identify patterns that often get overlooked in traditional care.
2. Cognitive baseline testing
We use validated tools to measure:
Short-term and long-term memory
Processing speed
Attention
Executive function
Verbal fluency
These scores help us track improvements in the months ahead.
Advanced Testing: A Deep Look Under the Hood
This is what sets ReCODE apart. Alzheimer’s and cognitive decline are complex conditions with many possible causes, so your early testing phase is thorough and highly personalized.
Comprehensive Lab Work
Your labs may include:
Metabolic markers (insulin, glucose, HbA1c)
Inflammation markers (CRP, homocysteine, cytokines)
Hormone levels (thyroid, adrenal, sex hormones)
Vitamin and nutrient levels (D, B12, folate, omega-3 index)
Vascular markers (lipids, ApoB, Lp(a))
Gut-immune markers
Toxin testing (heavy metals, mycotoxins when appropriate)
Oxidative stress and mitochondrial markers
This level of testing allows us to pinpoint the contributors impacting your cognitive function.
Genomic Testing: IntellxxDNA From the Very Beginning
Genomics provides clarity and precision.
At HealthSpan Internal Medicine, I use IntellxxDNA, an advanced clinical genomics platform that reveals:
Detoxification gene variants
Inflammation and immune pathways
Methylation and mitochondrial vulnerabilities
Hormone metabolism patterns
Vascular and lipid risk genes
Antioxidant and oxidative-stress pathways
APOE-related Alzheimer’s risk patterns
Genomics allows us to target the exact biological pathways affecting your brain — which speeds up results and minimizes trial-and-error.
You’ll Receive a Personalized Roadmap, Not a Generic Protocol
Once your lab and genomic data are complete, you receive a personalized, step-by-step ReCODE plan tailored to your Alzheimer’s subtype(s):
Inflammatory
Glycotoxic
Atrophic
Toxic
Vascular
Traumatic
Your plan may include:
A medical nutrition strategy
Metabolic repair and insulin sensitivity support
Hormone optimization
Detoxification support (when indicated)
Sleep optimization
Stress and nervous-system regulation
Supplements personalized to your genomics
Targeted treatment of infections or gut-health issues
Cognitive training and neuroplasticity tools
Every plan is different — because every root cause profile is different.
The First 30 Days: Foundations and Metabolic Repair
Your first month focuses on:
1. Stabilization
We remove or reduce the biggest stressors on the brain:
Blood sugar spikes
Heavy inflammatory foods
Environmental triggers
Sleep disruption
Medication interactions
2. Early metabolic support
Metabolism is the fuel system for the brain. Improvements in insulin sensitivity can quickly improve clarity, focus, and energy.
3. Inflammation reduction
This often includes:
Gut-healing strategies
Anti-inflammatory nutrients
Stress management support
Detoxification initiation
4. Sleep improvement
Sleep is the brain’s cleansing system. Improving sleep architecture is one of the earliest wins.
What Patients Typically Notice Early (2–12 Weeks)
Not everyone will notice changes right away, but many patients experience early wins such as:
Better sleep
Improved clarity
More consistent energy
Better mood stability
Fewer word-finding issues
Improved stress tolerance
More motivation
Decreased anxiety
Improved digestion
More stable day-to-day functioning
One of the most important early victories is stabilization — not worsening.
Stabilization means your brain is no longer in active decline, which is a significant and meaningful milestone.
Months 2–4: Deeper, Measurable Improvement
As metabolic and inflammatory systems continue to stabilize, most patients begin to see:
Sharper focus
Faster processing
Better memory recall
Improvements in task management
Greater independence
Improved planning and organization
Stronger verbal fluency
Reduced brain fog
For those with toxin-related (Type 3) or hormonal (Type 2) contributors, improvements continue but may take more time.
Months 4–12: Addressing Complex Causes and Long-Term Repair
Deeper work happens in this phase, including:
1. Detoxification (if indicated)
For those with mold, heavy metals, or environmental toxins, detoxification is introduced gradually to ensure safety.
2. Hormonal optimization
This includes thyroid, adrenal, sex hormones, and melatonin—with careful monitoring.
3. Mitochondrial and oxidative stress support
Genomics helps guide these interventions.
4. Vascular optimization
For patients with vascular Alzheimer’s, we focus on microcirculation and endothelial health.
5. Cognitive rehabilitation
These exercises help rebuild neuroplasticity.
Follow-Ups: You’re Not Doing This Alone
ReCODE is not a “set it and forget it” program.
You will be supported through:
Regular follow-up visits
Lab reviews
Adjustments based on genomics and biomarkers
Ongoing lifestyle coaching
Cognitive testing at regular intervals
Dr. Knape’s memory-care background is especially valuable for tracking subtle improvements, early warning signs, and real-life functional progress.
Setting Realistic Expectations
ReCODE is powerful, but it is not an overnight fix.
You can expect:
Steady, meaningful progress
Stabilization as a key early sign
A need for commitment and consistency
Adjustments as your biology changes
An individualized timeline
Transformational long-term benefits
This is not a quick fix — it is a comprehensive medical program designed to give the brain its best chance to heal.
When to Seek Urgent Care
Seek immediate medical attention for:
Sudden confusion
Speech difficulty
Weakness on one side
Severe headache
Vision changes
Chest pain or shortness of breath
These may indicate a stroke or other emergency.
Sources
Reversal of Cognitive Decline: A Novel Therapeutic Program, Bredesen DE, 2014
Precision Medicine Approach to Alzheimer’s Disease, Toups K, Bredesen DE et al., 2022
Reversal of Cognitive Decline: 100 Patients, Bredesen DE et al., 2018
Ready to improve your Brain health?
Schedule a Discovery Call with Dr. Knape to explore your personalized options — including TB006 access, BrainSpan PreCODE (prevention), BrainSpan ReCODE (reversal), and clinical genomics for deep root-cause clarity.
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.
