Plain English with Derek Thompson Fraud, Scandal, and Failure in the Fight Against Alzheimer's Disease
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Feb 11, 2025 Charles Piller, author of 'Doctored,' exposes the dark realities in Alzheimer's research, revealing how esteemed scientists faced allegations of data manipulation. He shares the rise and fall of the controversial drug simufilum, initially thought to reverse memory loss. Piller discusses the historical amyloid hypothesis and its limitations, alongside the challenges of scientific integrity and groupthink in the field. Lastly, he emphasizes the need for renewed trust in scientific institutions amidst growing concerns over fraud and stagnation in effective treatments.
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Cassava Sciences and Simufilam
- Cassava Sciences' Simufilam, an Alzheimer's drug, showed potential to reverse the disease.
- However, the data was questioned, the drug failed trials, and investigations followed.
Wider Scandal in Alzheimer's Research
- The Simufilam case is just one example of a broader pattern of fraud in Alzheimer's research.
- Several revered neuroscientists have been accused of doctoring images in their research.
The Amyloid Hypothesis
- The amyloid hypothesis posits that amyloid plaques in the brain cause Alzheimer's.
- This theory gained traction due to its logic and increased funding for research.
