Why the ReCODE Program Succeeds When Drugs Fail

Last Updated: October 2025

For over a century, the medical community has searched for a “magic bullet” to cure Alzheimer’s disease. Billions have been spent developing pharmaceuticals, yet none have successfully stopped—let alone reversed—cognitive decline. Despite promising headlines, most drugs only modestly slow progression in a small subset of patients and carry serious side effects. So why do these medications fail while the ReCODE Program continues to produce measurable improvements in over 80% of patients?

At The Carroll Institute, we believe the answer lies in one simple truth: Alzheimer’s disease is not a single disease. It’s a complex network failure caused by multiple biological imbalances. Drugs target one molecule—while the brain requires a system-wide restoration.

The Problem With the Pharmaceutical Model

Traditional neurology focuses on managing symptoms, not identifying causes. Alzheimer’s medications such as donepezil, memantine, and anti-amyloid antibodies target single pathways—typically trying to reduce amyloid plaque buildup. Yet amyloid plaques are not the cause; they are the brain’s protective response to inflammation, infection, and toxicity.

When these drugs block amyloid production, they suppress the brain’s defense system without addressing why it activated in the first place. This explains why many trials show initial improvement followed by continued decline.

The ReCODE Program Takes a Different Approach

The ReCODE Program (short for Reversal of Cognitive Decline) developed by Dr. Dale Bredesen takes a completely different perspective. Rather than targeting a single protein, it addresses the dozens of upstream factors that trigger neuronal damage. These include inflammation, insulin resistance, hormonal decline, toxins, infections, nutrient deficiencies, and sleep disruption.

By identifying and correcting each of these root causes, the brain’s self-repair mechanisms are reactivated. Instead of fighting one molecule, the ReCODE Program restores balance to the entire system.

Why One Drug Can Never Treat 40+ Causes

Dr. Bredesen’s published research shows that over 40 different biological mechanisms contribute to cognitive decline. Because each person’s combination of causes is unique, a one-size-fits-all drug is destined to fail. The ReCODE Program customizes every plan based on individual test results, genetic risk factors, and lifestyle variables.

This precision approach allows us to identify which mechanisms are most active for you—and then correct them through targeted nutrition, detoxification, hormone optimization, and neurorehabilitation exercises. It’s a personalized, data-driven process rather than a symptom-based prescription.

The Impact of Treating the Whole System

When root causes are removed, the brain no longer needs to defend itself with amyloid plaque. Inflammation subsides, mitochondrial energy production improves, and new neural pathways can form—a phenomenon known as neuroplasticity. Combined with Functional Neurology, this creates a powerful environment for actual healing.

Studies confirm that when patients follow personalized, multi-factorial treatment programs like ReCODE, their cognitive testing scores often improve rather than decline. This represents a revolutionary shift in what’s possible for patients previously told “nothing can be done.”

The Evidence Is Clear

In multiple published studies, patients following the ReCODE Program showed measurable improvement in memory, focus, and executive function—something no drug has ever achieved consistently. One study reported sustained improvement in cognitive testing after nine months of personalized treatment, with 84% of patients demonstrating quantifiable gains in their MoCA scores.

"Drugs manage symptoms; the ReCODE Program addresses causes. Once you fix the biology, the brain can finally heal."

— Dr. Garland Glenn

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References

• Bredesen DE. Reversal of Cognitive Decline: A Novel Therapeutic Program. Aging (2014).
• Bredesen DE, et al. Rationale for a Multi-Factorial Approach for the Reversal of Cognitive Decline. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience (2023).
• Bredesen DE, et al. Sustained Cognitive Improvement in Alzheimer’s Disease Patients Following a Precision Medicine Protocol. Biomedicines (2024).
• Apollo Health. Setting the Record Straight: Yes, Cognitive Decline Can Be Reversed (2024).
• Stanford Neuroscience Institute. Why New Alzheimer’s Drugs May Not Work for Patients (2024).

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Medically reviewed by Dr. Garland Glenn, DC, PhD, AFMC (Advanced Functional Medicine Clinician)
The Carroll Institute — Sarasota, FL
About Dr. Garland Glenn
For educational purposes only; not a substitute for medical advice.