What is the Bredesen Protocol? A Coaching Perspective from Cognevity
The Bredesen Protocol is a structured, personalised framework developed by neurologist Dr Dale Bredesen. It helps individuals understand their cognitive risks and explore evidence‑informed strategies that support long‑term cognitive health. The protocol examines how biological systems interact over time and how these interactions may influence memory, attention, processing speed, and overall cognitive resilience.
From a coaching perspective, the protocol offers clarity, structure, and a practical way to translate complex information into meaningful action. It supports individuals who want to understand their risks, explore their contributors, and build sustainable habits that align with their goals. Cognevity guides you through this process with education, structure, and ongoing support, working alongside your GP and healthcare team.
What the Protocol Explores
The protocol examines a series of interconnected risk domains. These domains align closely with Cognevity’s risk‑mapping and cognoscopy approach.
Inflammation
Metabolic health
Nutrient status
Hormonal balance
Vascular health
Sleep quality
Stress load
Toxin exposure
Most individuals show a blended pattern across several domains. Understanding these patterns helps you focus your time, energy, and attention where it matters most.
PreCODE and ReCODE
The Bredesen Protocol includes two structured pathways.
PreCODE
Designed for individuals who want to understand their cognitive risks and support long‑term cognitive health. Often chosen by people with a family history, APoE4, or early concerns about memory or focus.
ReCODE
Designed for individuals experiencing subjective cognitive impairement or mild cognitive impairement. ReCODE provides a structured way to explore potential contributors and understand the factors that may be influencing cognitive function.
Cognevity helps you understand which pathway aligns with your goals and how it integrates with your broader risk profile.
Research Foundation
The Bredesen Protocol is informed by research exploring how lifestyle, metabolic health, inflammation, sleep, and environmental factors influence cognitive function.
Key publications include:
Precision Medicine Approach to Alzheimer’s Disease
Reversal of Cognitive Decline: 100 Patients
These studies examine how multi‑factor, personalised interventions may influence cognitive performance and biomarkers. While research continues to evolve, the protocol reflects a global shift toward root‑cause, lifestyle‑based approaches to cognitive health. Cognevity translates this research into clear, accessible language to support informed decision‑making.
The Six “Types” of Cognitive Decline
Dr Bredesen’s model outlines several biological patterns that may contribute to cognitive decline.
Type 1 – Inflammatory
Type 1.5 – Glycotoxic
Type 2 – Trophic Loss
Type 3 – Toxic
Type 4 – Vascular
Type 5 – Traumatic
Most individuals show a blended pattern. I help you understand what this means for your cognitive health and how to use this insight effectively.
The Bredesen 7 (B7)
The protocol is built on seven core lifestyle pillars. These pillars align with Cognevity’s Step 1 lifestyle mapping.
Nutrition
Exercise
Sleep
Stress management
Detoxification
Cognitive stimulation
Supplements
These pillars support metabolic health, inflammation control, detoxification, and neuroplasticity. Cognevity’s role is to help you understand these pillars and integrate them into daily life in a sustainable, realistic way.
What Is a Cognoscopy?
A cognoscopy is a structured assessment of your cognitive health and risk profile. It typically includes:
Blood biomarkers (65+ markers)
Cognitive testing such as MoCA or CNS Vital Signs
Lifestyle and environmental assessment
Medical history and symptom review
The outcome is a personalised roadmap and report outlining your key risk factors, contributors, and priority areas for support. Cognevity uses this roadmap to guide your staged action plan and help you focus on the areas that matter most.
The Bredesen Protocol in Australia
In Australia, the protocol is delivered through trained clinicians and certified health coaches. A typical process includes:
Full cognoscopy
Subtype mapping
Personalised protocol design
Access to Apollo Health resources
Ongoing coaching and support
Collaboration with your GP or specialists
Cognevity works within this structure to help you understand your results, build clarity, and translate your plan into practical, sustainable steps.
How Cognevity Supports You
As a certified Bredesen Protocol Coach, Cognevity provides education, structure, and ongoing support. This includes:
Helping you understand your cognoscopy results
Clarifying your key drivers and priorities
Breaking your plan into manageable stages
Supporting sustainable habit‑building
Facilitating communication with your healthcare team
Tracking progress over time
The goal is clarity, confidence, and a structured path toward better cognitive health. The approach is grounded in science, delivered with compassion, and tailored to your life.
Call to Action
If you would like to understand your cognitive risks, explore your contributors, and build a clear, personalised plan, Cognevity can support you. You will gain structure, clarity, and a step‑by‑step approach that helps you focus on what matters most.
You can begin with a cognoscopy, a risk‑mapping session, or an introductory conversation to explore your goals. Each pathway is designed to help you move forward with confidence and a clear understanding of your next steps.