Presently, there are no disease modifying drugs which can halt or reverse the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Hence, there is a great need for further research to give hope to affected individuals, their families and loved ones. Due to the lack of effective treatment, being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease can lead to feelings of hopelessness. One of the possible reasons for the lack of progress in finding a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease could be due to the perhaps inaccurate notion that Alzheimer’s disease can be addressed by targeting one aspect of the disease. However, research has shown that there are multiple factors which contribute to Alzheimer’s disease including genetic and environmental factors1. One of the strongest genetic risk factors include the APOE4 allele, where carrying this allele greatly increases your chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Additionally, environmental and lifestyle factors include (but not limited to) insulin resistance, exposure to toxins and gastrointestinal hyperpermeability can contribute to developing Alzheimer’s disease. Therefore, a “one-size-fits-all approach” will prove ineffective. Dr Dale Bredesen, author of The End of Alzheimer’s book and Chief Science Officer at Apollo Health, proposes the ReCODE (reversal of cognitive decline) Protocol, a holistic approach to patient care2. This protocol aims to reverse the cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer’s disease through targeting the neuro-threats (inflammation, shortage of brain supporting molecules and exposure to toxic substances). This is done by implementing personalised lifestyle modifications such as maintaining adequate micronutrient and hormone levels, oral hygiene, sleep and stress levels. His team of researchers have reported 100 patients who took part in the ReCODE protocol improving in cognition with some cases of improvement in biochemical activities. These results are promising and could highlight a different route for treating Alzheimer’s disease2,3,4.
References
- Piaceri, I., Nacmias, B. & Sorbi, S. Frontiers in Bioscience E5, 167-177 (2013).
- Bredesen, D. (Penguin Publishing Group: 2017).
- Apollo Health (2021).at https://www.apollohealthco.com/bredesen-protocol/
- Apollo Health (2021).at https://www.apollohealthco.com/solution/recode/