If you found your way to this website, chances are that you are both worried and curious.
For most of our patients, at least one of the following is true:
- You often forget things that you just did or said
- People close to you say you are less attentive when they talk to you
- You know or are related to someone with dementia and want to do everything possible to avoid the same fate
- You love someone whose memory and abilities are declining and want to know how you can help them
A new hope with the Bredesen protocol
In my medical school and residency training, we were taught that end stage Alzheimer’s dementia is inevitable once someone starts to lose their memory. We learned how to make a diagnosis and to tell families to plan for the worst as time went on. Then the work of Dr. Dale Bredesen and his colleagues changed everything.
Because of the Bredesen protocol, we see that it is possible to reverse early dementia symptoms in some situations. Dr. Bredesen tells stories of people who faced early retirement because of inability to complete work tasks. They are still at those jobs and thriving. He cared for a professional poker player who was unable to balance his checkbook. Once again he is a whiz with numbers and cards. Spouses told him that they saw their partner’s memory for details go from disastrous to normal within a year.
These outcomes are much better than what we see with drugs. However, few members of the public and the medical community are aware of these possibilities. This didn’t sit well with me. I wanted to be part of the movement to change the way we care for people with early dementia. I sought training in functional medicine and in the Bredesen protocol. I started Mindwise Healthcare in 2019.
How we care for clients interested in the Bredesen protocol: a functional medicine approach to dementia
Our practice works with motivated people and their families to identify the reasons why they are experiencing cognitive decline. We then formulate appropriate treatment plans for the root causes. This begins with a free discovery call that allows us to learn more about your health concerns, particularly as they relate to memory and overall functioning. We also discuss the basics of the Bredesen protocol.
You then receive an intake form that collects an in depth history and creates a timeline of symptoms throughout your life. If you decide to work with us, we will recommend baseline labs for you to complete before the initial case review appointment. By collecting detailed information in advance, we spend several hours getting to know you so that our first meeting is a productive use of your time. Our goal is to have you leave this appointment with a clear sense of the first steps you need to take for better brain function.
We have three, six, and twelve month packages. Each one includes a general schedule of appointments with me as well as a health coach. Lifestyle and behavior change are essential to the success of the Bredesen protocol. We believe that our clients deserve to be supported in making the changes that are most likely to benefit them. Health coaches have expertise in helping people identify their internal drivers for change. They help clients identify the best steps toward changing habits that are contributing to cognitive decline. We collaborate with Jill Keenon, registered nurse and certified health coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. To learn more about Jill, click here.
Our clients complete a range of brain function assessments with follow-up testing to monitor progress as appropriate. Depending on the variety and severity of your symptoms, additional testing may be discussed and recommended at follow-up appointments. For more information visit our FAQ page.
As the most common cause of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease is a public health crisis. It robs people of their sense of self and place in the world. It overwhelms families, caregivers, and clinicians. It will bankrupt our country’s economy. The good news is that we are no longer helpless when it comes to early dementia. We can change outcomes and lives for those that choose to partner with us.
Training and Credentials
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Harvard University, BA English and American Literature, 2000
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University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, MD, 2004
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McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University, residency in internal medicine, 2007
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Institute for Functional Medicine: AFMCP and APMs 2018-2019
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ADAPT practitioner program from the Kresser Institute 2018-2019
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Internal medicine, 2007/2017, American Board of Internal Medicine
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Hospice and palliative medicine, 2012, American Board of Internal Medicine
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Institute for Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner, 2019
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ADAPT trained practitioner, 2019
