Learning from complex investigations

What happens when the systems we trust most struggle to correct themselves and the cost is paid by patients, families, and society?

In this deeply consequential episode of Passion Struck, investigative journalist Charles Piller joins the show to discuss his groundbreaking book Doctored: Fraud, Arrogance, and Tragedy in the Quest to Cure Alzheimer’s. Piller, a senior writer for Science magazine, has spent years examining how Alzheimer’s research became shaped by incentives, reputation, and institutional inertia—and what that meant for scientific progress and human lives.

At the center of this conversation is a pivotal 2006 Nature paper that helped cement the amyloid hypothesis as the dominant explanation for Alzheimer’s disease. That study shaped decades of funding, drug development, and clinical trials. Years later, independent analysts and researchers began raising concerns about manipulated images and the integrity of the data—concerns that moved slowly through formal channels while the research continued to guide practice.

In this episode, John R. Miles and Charles Piller explore how systems communicate mattering through responsiveness, how delay and diffusion affect trust, and how institutional silence carries human consequences. They also examine the role of independent watchdogs, whistleblowers, and investigative journalism in preserving scientific integrity, even when doing so carries personal and professional risk.

This conversation is not about cynicism toward science. It is about accountability, permeability, and the conditions that allow truth to remain alive within powerful systems.

If you care about medical ethics, scientific integrity, or how institutions shape human mattering, this episode offers a vital and clarifying perspective.

Check the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/charles-piller-alzheimers-research-fraud/

Download a Free Companion Reflection Guide: https://www.theignitedlife.net/p/when-systems-decide-whether-people-matter

Connect with John

Keynote speaking, books, and podcast: https://linktr.ee/John_R_Miles

Pre-order the Children’s Book

You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Learn More About Charles Piller

https://www.science.org/author/charles-piller

Book:

Doctored: Fraud, Arrogance, and Tragedy in the Quest to Cure Alzheimer’s

Available wherever books are sold.

In This Episode, You Will Learn

• How Alzheimer’s research became shaped by incentives, prestige, and institutional coherence
• Why responsiveness is a central signal of trust and mattering inside systems
• How a single scientific paper influenced decades of funding and drug development
• The role of independent analysts like Elisabeth Bik in protecting scientific integrity
• Why whistleblowers such as Matthew Schrag face extraordinary personal and professional pressure
• How delays and procedural diffusion affect patients and families in real time
• The human story of Stephen Price and what clinical trials represent for those living with Alzheimer’s
• What healthy systems require in order to remain open to correction and learning

Support the Movement

Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter.

Wear it. Live it. Show it. https://StartMattering.com

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a licensed physician, therapist, or other qualified professional.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.