Setting the Record Straight: Yes, Cognitive Decline Can Be Reversed

By Dale Bredesen, M.D., Chief Science Officer for Apollo Health

About eight months ago, a reporter from The New York Times reached out, planning to cover one of the most important medical breakthroughs of our time: the reversal of cognitive decline. Mainstream medicine still claims it’s impossible. Yet we’ve published multiple peer-reviewed studies — and conducted a successful clinical trial — proving otherwise. We’ve witnessed it repeatedly in real-world practice. A story in the Times could have helped millions discover that cognitive decline is no longer a life sentence.

So, I (Mr. Bredesen*), urged the reporter to speak with the people who know this best: patients who have reclaimed their lives, doctors seeing transformations daily, and researchers documenting measurable brain recovery. I hoped the article would shine a light on the truth.

The piece is now published. But instead of focusing on this breakthrough, it zeroed in on a single patient who began treatment far too late, didn’t follow the protocol fully, and gave up before results could take hold. That case was never representative — and yet, it became the story.

Let’s be clear about what the science, and the lived experience of thousands, actually shows:

• Cognitive decline is reversible. Peer-reviewed studies confirm it. (See the research.)
• Gains can last for years—sometimes over a decade. This isn’t a short-term fix. It’s a new way forward. (See the evidence.)
• In contrast, the “breakthrough” anti-amyloid antibody drugs do not improve cognition at all, they simply slow decline modestly, while exerting side effects that include brain hemorrhage, brain swelling, and death.
• We’re not just improving memory scores — we’re reversing the disease process. Brain scans show increased volume, improved blood flow, healthier brain waves, and better biomarkers. This is actually reducing pathophysiology, not simply boosting cognition.
• Not every case is successful, especially when treatment begins too late or the full protocol isn’t followed. But this is true of any medical intervention — from antibiotics to surgeries. That’s why early intervention is critical.
• Here’s the new reality: dementia is quickly becoming optional. With the right tools, no one needs to wait for symptoms to spiral. We now have the ability to detect risk early — and act in time to prevent cognitive decline altogether.

We recommend that everyone over 35 get screened and begin a prevention program. Here’s what we typically see based on when treatment begins:

Stage	Symptoms	Test Results	Prognosis
Pre-symptomatic	None	Abnormal p-tau 217 or Abeta 42:40 ratio	Dementia can be completely prevented.
SCI (Subjective Cognitive Impairment)	Subtle memory/executive issues	Testing within normal range	Full cognitive restoration in most cases.
MCI (Mild Cognitive Impairment)	Noticeable decline	Abnormal testing, daily function intact	Reversal in 84% of trial patients, 50% in community.
Dementia	Progressive decline	Impaired daily function	Possible stabilization or partial improvement, even in some late cases.

This is not speculation. This is data-driven proof. This is hope grounded in science.

It’s disappointing that The New York Times missed the real story — a story of recovery, resilience, and revolution in brain health. But for those willing to look past outdated dogma, the message is clear:

Alzheimer’s is no longer unstoppable. Dementia is no longer inevitable. We must spread the message; too many lives are at stake.

* The reporter made it a point to refer to me as “Mr. Bredesen” throughout the article. I earned my medical degree and hold the title of doctor. In addition, I am a Professor Emeritus at the Buck Institute and have served as a career professor at respected institutions including UCLA, UCSF, and the Burnham Institute. Regarding my medical license, it remained active until I transitioned fully to bench research. I renewed it in 2020, however, because my current work is focused on research, teaching, organizing clinical trials, and writing, I allowed it to lapse. I am not acting as a treating or ordering physician, nor do I intend to resume that role.