Cognoscopy” is a term coined by Dr. Bredesen. This is an examination in which comprehensive laboratory diagnostics are combined with cognitive tests. Cognoscopy analyzes all factors that contribute to mental decline or increase the risk of it. And the risk factors are numerous (1). To illustrate all the risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease, Dr. Bredesen uses the analogy of a leaky roof through which it rains: there are up to 36 holes in the Alzheimer’s roof that need to be repaired so that everything is tight again and the risk of the disease is reduced. Not every patient has the same holes, and therefore preventive measures are customized based on the patient’s diagnostic results, genetics, current health status and lifestyle. Cognoscopy makes it possible to identify the holes “in your own roof” that can contribute to individual cognitive decline.
Cognoscopy for the early detection of neurodegeneration
We all know that we should undergo a colonoscopy at the age of 50 in order to detect and treat possible colon cancer at an early stage. Women over the age of 50 are also invited to a mammogram with an invitation letter in order to detect a serious cancer of the breast tissue at an early stage. These early detection measures are preventive services and are paid for by the statutory health insurance funds.
But what about our brain? As with bowel or breast cancer, neurodegeneration (nerve cell damage), including Alzheimer’s, takes many years, often decades, to develop. This also means that there is a longer lead time in which to intervene effectively. Dr. Bredesen therefore recommends that everyone should have a cognoscopy at the age of 45. If there are already known cases of Alzheimer’s in the family, the cognoscopy should be performed even earlier.
The good news is that early cognoscopy gives you a concrete way to check your dementia risk and intervene as early as possible. In this way, you can determine whether you suffer from disorders that contribute to neurodegenerative diseases in the long term. For example, disorders of carbohydrate metabolism, such as insulin resistance or diabetes mellitus, can also contribute to brain health problems. In specialist circles, dementia is also referred to as type 3 diabetes (2). You would already be at risk if you suffer from constantly elevated blood sugar or insulin resistance. You will not feel this and even the conventional doctor, if he measures the long-term blood glucose or fasting insulin value at all, would probably still tell you that everything is fine if the values are far too high. However, this health risk would be recognized early on in the cognoscopy and you could react to it in a targeted manner.
Special laboratory diagnostics and healthy reference values in cognoscopy
Laboratory diagnostics in cognoscopy includes many tests in which “healthy” reference values are used for comparison. The examinations include:
- the supply of essential and neurologically important micronutrients
- the complete hormone status
- possible exposure to heavy metals and pathogens
- the detoxification capacity of the body
- any disorders in carbohydrate metabolism such as insulin resistance and prediabetes
- intestinal health
- liver and kidney health
- a possible immunological disorder resulting in subclinical inflammation
- an unphysiological release of stress hormones
- possible exposure to oxidative stress
- the presence of the ApoE variant (risk gene for Alzheimer’s disease).
The majority of these analyses are special modern laboratory diagnostic procedures that are not carried out as part of a conventional medical laboratory examination and go far beyond the preventive service proposed by the health insurance company. Unfortunately, this is also a major disadvantage, as it is a self-pay service in statutory health insurance and the analyses are cost-intensive. A full cognoscopy can cost between 500 and 1000€. The specific scope and therefore the laboratory costs depend on the individual anamnesis.
If you are interested in a cognoscopy, ask your therapist or simply take a look at our therapist page to. Here you will find doctors, alternative practitioners, therapists and coaches who practice in the field of dementia prevention and therapy and offer complementary laboratory diagnostics.
Assessment of your cognitive performance
You can assess your cognitive performance with simple free online cognition tests. Various cognitive abilities are tested and put in relation to your age group. The cognitive tests generally measure abilities such as memory, processing speed and accuracy, logic and concentration. They usually take no more than 30 minutes. It is important that you ensure that you are well rested and are not interrupted. The following websites, for example, offer free online cognition tests:
Conclusion:
Act responsibly, invest in your body and use cognoscopy as a kind of inspection to maintain your brain health into old age. Knowledge is power – find out where you stand to protect your cognitive abilities for years and decades to come!
References:
- Rao, R. V., Subramaniam, K. G., Gregory, J., Bredesen, A. L., Coward, C., Okada, S., … & Bredesen, D. E. (2023). Rationale for a multi-factorial approach for the reversal of cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease and MCI: a review. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(2), 1659. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36675177/
- SM de la Monte, JR Wands (2008) Alzheimer’s disease is type 3 diabetes-evidence reviewed. Diabetes Sci Technol 2(6): pp 1101-13. DOI: 10.1177/193229680800200619
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