The Incredibly Incredible Labrats

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In the general population, it's hard to predict when some one might start developing dementia of any type. In marty's family, by contrast, there is a relatively predictable decade when their symptoms begin. And so researchers can test interventions and know with some confidence whether they are effective. If symptoms are lessened or don't appear in this predictable decade, then something is working. Like marty says, they're perfect labrats.

Marty Reiswig is fit and healthy, but every two weeks he is injected with the experimental drug gantenerumab and has monthly MRI scans. He submits to this because a rare genetic mutation runs in his family that predisposes them to early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

We spoke to him about his experience on the trial, and why he chose to continue trialling the drug even after formal clinical trials were discontinued.

Produced and narrated by Lorna Stewart.

More on this story:

News Feature: Could drugs prevent Alzheimer’s? These trials aim to find out

Resources for those affected by Alzheimer's:

Alzheimer's association

Alzheimers.gov

Alzheimer's society

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