Last Updated: October 2025

Many people associate infections with fevers and coughs, but some infections never truly go away. They linger beneath the surface—quietly reactivating the immune system, inflaming the brain, and slowly eroding memory, focus, and mood. These chronic infections are increasingly recognized as a hidden driver of cognitive decline and a key root cause in Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s, and other neurodegenerative disorders.

At The Carroll Institute in Sarasota, Dr. Garland Glenn, DC, PhD, AFMC identifies and treats chronic infections as part of a comprehensive, root-cause approach through The Bredesen ReCODE Protocol and Functional Medicine. By reducing inflammation and restoring immune balance, it’s possible to protect the brain and reverse cognitive decline.

How Chronic Infections Affect the Brain

When the body is exposed to bacteria, viruses, or fungi, the immune system mounts an inflammatory defense. Normally, that inflammation resolves when the infection clears. However, when an infection becomes chronic—or reactivates years later—the immune system never turns off. This creates ongoing inflammation, oxidative stress, and damage to brain tissue.

According to research published by the National Institutes of Health, chronic infections are now linked to increased amyloid plaque buildup, mitochondrial dysfunction, and impaired neuronal signaling—all hallmark features of Alzheimer’s and cognitive decline.

Common Chronic Infections Linked to Cognitive Decline

• Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi): Can invade the nervous system, causing neuroborreliosis, brain fog, headaches, and short-term memory loss.
• Epstein-Barr virus (EBV): Known for causing mononucleosis, EBV can reactivate years later, contributing to fatigue and neuroinflammation.
• Herpes simplex and varicella viruses: These viruses persist in nerve tissue and may play a role in amyloid formation and neurodegeneration.
• Chronic sinus, dental, or gut infections: Persistent low-grade infections can trigger systemic inflammation that spills into the brain.
• Tick-borne coinfections: Bartonella, Babesia, and Mycoplasma can amplify inflammation and vascular damage within the brain.

Many of these infections remain undiagnosed for years, since they often mimic other conditions such as depression, anxiety, fibromyalgia, or autoimmune disease.

Symptoms of Infection-Driven Brain Inflammation

• Persistent brain fog or memory lapses
• Fatigue that worsens with stress
• Joint pain, stiffness, or neuropathy
• Headaches, dizziness, or visual disturbances
• Mood swings, anxiety, or irritability
• Poor sleep or unrefreshing rest

Because these symptoms fluctuate, patients often struggle to get answers from conventional testing or treatment.

Functional Medicine Testing for Hidden Infections

At The Carroll Institute, Dr. Glenn uses advanced Functional Medicine testing to detect stealth infections that may not appear on routine labs. These include:

• Comprehensive antibody and PCR testing for Lyme and coinfections
• Viral reactivation panels (EBV, HHV-6, CMV, HSV)
• Markers of chronic inflammation (CRP, TGF-beta-1, IL-6, C4a)
• Immune function and autoimmunity panels
• Stool and microbiome testing to identify gut-driven inflammation

Identifying these infections is the first step in calming the immune system and allowing the brain to begin healing.

Treating Chronic Infections the Functional Medicine Way

Rather than suppressing the immune system with drugs, Functional Medicine supports the body’s ability to fight infections naturally while reducing inflammation and rebuilding resilience. Treatment plans at The Carroll Institute often include:

• Targeted antimicrobial support: Botanical or prescription therapies based on test results.
• Immune modulation: Nutrients like vitamin D, zinc, and quercetin to rebalance immune activity.
• Inflammation control: Omega-3s, curcumin, and antioxidants to reduce oxidative stress.
• Gut repair: Addressing leaky gut and microbiome balance to lower systemic inflammation.
• Detoxification: Supporting liver and lymphatic clearance of microbial byproducts.
• Functional Neurology: Cognitive and vestibular rehabilitation to rebuild neural circuits weakened by infection-driven inflammation.

The Role of Functional Neurology in Recovery

Chronic infections can disrupt sensory and cognitive processing in the brain, leading to balance issues, concentration problems, and memory lapses. Through Functional Neurology, Dr. Glenn helps patients retrain the brain to restore proper communication between regions. Techniques such as visual tracking, balance training, and photobiomodulation therapy help improve oxygenation and accelerate neuroplastic healing.

ReCODE and the “Infectious Subtype” of Cognitive Decline

In the ReCODE Protocol, chronic infections represent a distinct “infectious subtype” of cognitive decline. Identifying and eradicating these infections can dramatically improve cognitive function, mood, and energy. In clinical studies, patients who addressed infectious and inflammatory triggers showed measurable improvements in memory testing within months.

Restoring Balance and Protecting Your Brain

Because chronic infections drive inflammation and oxidative stress, they must be addressed to achieve lasting recovery. When the immune system is balanced and the infection is under control, the brain can finally begin to heal.

If you’ve been struggling with fatigue, brain fog, or unexplained memory issues, there may be an underlying infection holding you back. Book a Discovery Call with The Carroll Institute today to uncover the hidden infections affecting your brain—and start your personalized recovery plan.

Sources

• Precision Medicine Approach to Alzheimer’s Disease — NIH (2023)
• Rationale for a Multifactorial Approach to the Reversal of Cognitive Decline — NIH (2022)
• Lyme Disease and Cognitive Impairment — Johns Hopkins (2024)
• Epstein-Barr Virus Reactivation and Neuroinflammation — NIH (2022)

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