Significant Reduction in Depression Scores Following Implementation of the ReCODE Program: Evidence from PHQ-9 Assessments

Background/Objectives: The ReCODE (Reversal of Cognitive Decline) protocol, a precision medicine program, designed for patients with Alzheimer's disease, has shown promising results in improving cognitive function. Depression, which is common among individuals with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease, shares some risk and exacerbating factors (such as systemic inflammation), and can negatively affect quality of life and disease trajectory. We set out to assess whether participation in the ReCODE program is associated with improvement in depressive symptoms, as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Methods: A total of 170 individuals diagnosed with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease were enrolled in the ReCODE program. Each participant received consultations with clinical practitioners and a detailed orientation to the program. Follow-up visits were conducted 31 days post-enrollment, during which participants received further guidance on diet, lifestyle modifications, medications, and supplements. These visits also included mood assessment using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Pre- and post-intervention data were analyzed using the non-parametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: Participants demonstrated a statistically and clinically significant reduction in PHQ-9 scores, with improvement observed across mild, moderate, and severe baseline depression categories. The proportion of participants above the clinical threshold for depression decreased substantially following the intervention. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the ReCODE program not only benefits cognitive and biological measures, as shown in prior work, but also significantly alleviates depressive symptoms. These findings highlight ReCODE’s potential as a successful multifaceted therapeutic approach addressing both cognitive decline and mental health in Alzheimer’s disease.