Critically Speaking

In this episode, Therese Markow and Charles Piller discuss the slow progress of Alzheimer’s treatments. Based on his research and findings as an investigative journalist, as well as his newest book, Doctored: Fraud, Arrogance, and Tragedy in the Quest to Cure Alzheimer’s, they discuss the complexity of the disease, msiconduct in the research, and the other problems the research is facing despite the funding for it being at an all time high. Charles comments on the FDA's reliance on industry-affiliated advisors, the revolving door phenomenon, and why the new anti-amyloid drugs are not as practical as they might seem on the surface with limited effectiveness, high costs, and high liability. Finally, Charles emphasizes the need for diverse research strategies and better regulation to protect patients and families traversing this complex disease.

Key Takeaways:

• There are more than 7 million people with Alzheimer’s in the US. In addition, there are 11 million family caregivers or loved ones taking care of these patients, which is an enormous issue and burden, both financial and emotional.

• The Amyloid Mafia idea is behind the concerns that the competitive pressure has reduced the extent of the types of ideas that are being fully examined in the treatments for Alzheimer’s.

• While science is often self-correcting, it can take time. It is important for forensic image sleuths and journalists to expose misconduct and other scientific errors or wrongdoings to speed up that process of science, acknowledging and correcting the errors.

"In the marketplace of scientific ideas, competition is almost always valuable to test and press the progenitors of these ideas into being able to think flexibly and to try to prove out the ones that are the ones that are the most effective." — Charles Piller

Connect with Charles Piller:

Professional Bio: https://www.science.org/content/author/charles-piller

Book: Doctored: Fraud, Arrogance, and Tragedy in the Quest to Cure Alzheimer’s - https://www.amazon.com/Doctored-Fraud-Arrogance-Tragedy-Alzheimers/dp/1668031248

Connect with Therese:

Website: www.criticallyspeaking.net

Threads: @critically_speaking

Email: [email protected]

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