KQED's Forum How Fraud, Greed and Negligence Have Stymied Alzheimer’s Research and Progress Toward a Cure
Feb 3, 2025
Charles Piller, an investigative journalist for Science magazine and author of 'Doctored,' delves into the troubling landscape of Alzheimer’s research. He reveals alarming instances of fraud that have skewed studies and limited progress. Piller discusses the flawed amyloid hypothesis, potential misconduct in drug approvals, and calls for greater transparency in scientific practices. He highlights the emotional toll of Alzheimer's on patients and families, emphasizing the urgent need for accountability to unlock new treatment avenues.
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Dominant Amyloid Hypothesis Shaped The Field
- Alzheimer's research has long centered on amyloid plaques and tau tangles as defining features of the disease.
- That fixation shaped decades of research and directed funding toward removing these proteins from the brain.
A Single 2006 Paper Shifted Momentum
- A 2006 University of Minnesota study identified a specific amyloid form called Aβ*56 and was published in Nature.
- That paper became highly cited and reinvigorated focus on soluble amyloid species as drug targets.
Image Forensics Exposed Doctored Data
- Forensic image sleuths found widespread irregularities like duplicated or moved bands in Western blots and micrographs.
- These doctored images undermine trust in key papers that guided Alzheimer's research directions.
