In January 2020, the Boothbay Region Health Center launched a one-year research program to reduce and/or reverse cognitive decline. Approximately 30 patients are currently enrolled in the first year of this project, which is being headed by Dr. Allan “Chip” Teel, with assistance from Physician’s Assistant, Andy Zuber and Nurse Care Manager, Kandace Zuber. Participants meet monthly as a group with Dr. Teel (via Zoom), and book individual office visits (which can be done via TeleHealth), get a series of personalized lab tests and a Volumetric MRI. Based on the findings from the lab results and personal consultations, each participant’s program is continuously tailored.
The program is loosely based on research conducted by Dr. Dale Bredesen, and described in his book, The End of Alzheimer’s, as well as using Dr. Teel’s own 40 years of experience in treating patients with Alzheimer’s and Dementia. The good news is that current research shows that it IS possible to reduce the risk of cognitive decline and even to reverse it, primarily through lifestyle changes.
Lifestyle; not Medications
Current research into dementia tells us that the biggest determinants in cognitive decline are not genetics, but rather, lifestyle. Even if you have a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer’s, for example, you may not contract the disease if your lifestyle inhibits its development. The lifestyle factors that patients are addressing in the research pilot are:
- Increase physical exercise to 5 days/week, including cardio, resistance, and walking, running, or swimming
- Fast for 12 to 14 hours between dinner and breakfast every day
- Eat a ketogenic diet–high fat, low carbs; Eliminate sugar, dairy, and wheat from your diet.
- Sleep for 8 hours every night. Allow 3 hours between your last meal and sleeping.
- Do brain training at least 3 times per week, ideally using the BrainHQ online program developed by Dr. Michael Merzenich
- Learning new skills that require mind/body training, such as new sports, crafts, etc.
- Adding more purpose to your life–e.g., volunteering, making a difference in the world*
- Music: listening to music, dancing to music, performing music*
- Socializing frequently with others–peer support, getting out of the house and interacting with others*
The good news about all of these lifestyle changes is that anyone can do them. And you aren’t reliant on a physician, nor on medication to improve and maintain your cognitive health.
* These are the elements added to Dr. Bredesen’s Rx by Dr. Teel.
Get a “Cognoscopy”: Baseline Testing
The medical part of the program starts with baseline testing by your physician. The testing that is done by Dr. Bredesen and the physicians he has certified to carry out his program is expensive and is not yet covered by health insurance, such as Medicare and Medicare supplemental programs. However, Dr. Teel is designing the testing component of his research pilot program so that the different tests are done one at a time, and are usually covered by Medicare. Once a blood chemistry test reveals the need for further testing, for example, that next test can be ordered, and so on.
The elements of baseline testing include:
- Cognitive testing (to establish your current baseline)
- DNA testing (to determine your genetic risk factor)
- Blood tests for blood sugar, blood chemistry, vitamin absorption, mineral absorption, and toxins
- Volumetric brain scans to determine which functional areas of your brain are at risk
- Gut Biome testing
- Testing for inflammation & infections that impact the blood/brain barrier
These are some of the tests that patients enrolled in Dr. Teel’s research program will be given. As Dr. Teel explains: “This is a work in progress. We’re trying to develop a program that works for most patients and their families, and that is affordable and replicable.”
Re-Test Every 6 Months
In order to measure the success of this program, patients enrolled in the program will be re-tested on certain components, e.g. cognitive function, every 6 months.
Let Us Know if You’re Interested
The first two cohorts for the year-long study are full. We are currently evaluating how to continue this program in 2021 without grant funding or to get it funded. If you’re interested in enrolling in this research program, and you live or summer in the Boothbay Region, and you are willing to make the necessary lifestyle changes for a year (diet, exercise, brain training, etc.) to participate in this program, please call the Boothbay Region Health Center (207) 633-1075 and ask to be added to the waiting list. You do not need to be a patient of the Boothbay Region Health Center to enroll. However you will need a referral from your current primary care physician, and to give permission for the Health Center to access your medical records. The results of tests and lab results and findings will be shared with each patient and with their primary care physicians, if they so choose. To participate you will also need to sign up with the Boothbay Region Health Center for Chronic Care Management and Remote Patient Monitoring (both Medicare-covered programs).