PRECODE Protocol
A Proactive Approach to Protecting Your Brain Health
Understand your risk, identify what influences long-term cognitive health, and take early, targeted steps to help prevent future decline.
Functional Medicine
for Long-Term Brain Health
For many people, the first awareness of cognitive decline is personal. A parent, a grandparent, or someone close to them. Or sometimes it comes from a genetic test that reveals increased risk. Even without symptoms, the question becomes clear. What can I do now to protect my future?
Cognitive decline does not begin overnight. It develops over years and is influenced by factors such as metabolic health, inflammation, sleep, stress, and environmental exposures. PRECODE is designed for this stage, offering a proactive, structured approach to identify and address these factors early, before more significant changes occur.
Rather than waiting for symptoms, the focus is on understanding your current risk and taking clear, meaningful steps to support long-term brain health.
Is the PRECODE Program Right for You?
The PRECODE Program is designed for individuals who want to take a proactive, informed approach to their cognitive health, before symptoms begin.
You may be a good candidate if you:
- Have a family history of Alzheimer’s or cognitive decline
- Have completed genetic testing, including APOE status, and want to better understand what it means for your future
- Want to take action now rather than wait for symptoms to appear
- Are focused on protecting your long-term brain health
- Value prevention and want to be intentional about your future
- Are looking for a structured, physician-guided approach
If you are thinking ahead and want clarity on what steps to take next, this is where to start.
Start With a Clear Understanding of What Drives Brain Health
If you are taking a proactive approach, the most important first step is understanding what actually leads to cognitive decline and how those factors may apply to you.
Dr. Dersam’s Brain Health Program was originally developed for patients experiencing cognitive changes, but the same insights are just as valuable for those focused on prevention. The earlier you understand what to look for, the more opportunity you have to act.
Inside the program:
- Learn the key factors that influence cognitive health over time
- Understand what contributes to decline and how to recognize early patterns
- Gain insight into areas such as metabolism, inflammation, lifestyle, and environment
- Complete a guided cognitive assessment to establish your baseline
- Receive educational guidance on possible next steps to discuss with your healthcare provider.
This is not about diagnosing a problem. It is about understanding your risk and knowing how to move forward with clarity.
Two Paths to Protecting Brain Health
Brain health care can take different forms depending on where you are in your cognitive journey. Some individuals are already experiencing changes, while others want to take a proactive approach to protecting their long-term brain health. Dr. Dersam offers two programs designed to support you at different stages of your cognitive health journey.
RECODE Program
Addressing Cognitive Decline
Designed for individuals already experiencing changes in memory, focus, or cognitive function. This program focuses on identifying and addressing the underlying factors contributing to those changes.
Best suited for those who:
- Are experiencing memory changes or increasing forgetfulness
- Have been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment
- Have early signs of cognitive decline
- Want a comprehensive, physician-guided approach
PRECODE Program
Preventing Future Cognitive Decline
Designed for individuals who want to understand their risk and take proactive steps to protect brain health before more significant symptoms develop.
Best suited for those who:
- Have a family history of cognitive decline
- Want to reduce future risk
- Are noticing subtle changes with memory and cognitive tasks
- Are focused on long-term brain health
Expert Guidance for Long-Term Brain Health
Dr. Cheri Dersam is an Integrative and Functional Medicine physician with advanced training in the Bredesen RECODE and PRECODE programs.
Her work focuses on identifying the underlying factors that influence brain health years before symptoms appear, allowing for earlier insight and more proactive, targeted strategies.
Rather than waiting for problems to develop, she takes a comprehensive view of areas such as metabolic health, inflammation, lifestyle, and environmental influences that can impact cognitive health over time.
Patients working with Dr. Dersam receive thoughtful guidance and a structured path forward designed to support clarity, confidence, and long-term outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
About the PRECODE Program
The PRECODE Program is a personalized brain health program designed for individuals who want to understand their risk for cognitive decline and take proactive steps to protect long-term brain health. Using Functional Medicine principles and the Bredesen Protocol, the program focuses on identifying risk factors before significant symptoms develop.
The PRECODE Program is ideal for individuals who want to take a proactive approach to brain health. It is especially valuable for people with a family history of Alzheimer’s or other dementia related diseases, those interested in prevention, or anyone who wants to better understand the factors that influence long-term cognitive health.
While no program can guarantee prevention, research suggests that addressing modifiable risk factors such as metabolic health, inflammation, sleep, nutrition, exercise, and environmental exposures may help reduce the risk of cognitive decline. The PRECODE Program focuses on identifying and improving these areas as early as possible.
PRECODE is designed for individuals who want to prevent or reduce their risk of cognitive decline before significant symptoms appear. RECODE is intended for those already experiencing memory changes, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), or early cognitive decline who require a more comprehensive evaluation and treatment approach.
Yes. A family history of Alzheimer’s disease may increase your risk, but it does not determine your future. The PRECODE Program helps identify additional lifestyle, metabolic, genetic, and environmental factors that can influence long-term brain health so you can make informed decisions about prevention.
Having the APOE4 gene may increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, but it is only one piece of the puzzle. Many other factors influence brain health. The PRECODE Program takes a comprehensive approach to understanding your overall risk and developing a personalized prevention strategy.
The best time to focus on brain health is before significant symptoms develop. Cognitive decline often begins years before noticeable memory changes occur. Taking action early provides more opportunities to identify risk factors and support long-term cognitive function.
The PRECODE Program may include advanced laboratory testing, metabolic evaluation, inflammation markers, nutritional assessment, hormone testing, genetics, and cognitive assessments. Recommendations are personalized based on your health history and risk factors.
Yes. Dr. Dersam offers virtual PRECODE consultations, allowing patients to complete evaluations, review testing, and receive personalized guidance from the comfort of their home.
Brain health is influenced by many interconnected factors, including nutrition, physical activity, quality sleep, stress management, metabolic health, hormone and endocrine factors, cardiovascular health, social engagement, and environmental exposures. The PRECODE Program helps identify which of these areas may have the greatest impact on your long-term cognitive health.
Yes. PRECODE is based on the Bredesen Protocol and applies many of the same Functional Medicine principles used to evaluate the underlying factors that influence brain health. The primary difference is that PRECODE focuses on prevention and early intervention rather than treating existing cognitive decline.
The best place to begin is with Dr. Dersam’s Brain Health Program. The online course includes six educational videos, a guided cognitive assessment, and answers to common questions about cognitive health and prevention. It provides a clear understanding of the PRECODE approach before deciding on your next steps.