Freakonomics, M.D.

49. Why Don’t We Have a Cure for Alzheimer’s?

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Aug 12, 2022
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INSIGHT

Amyloid Hypothesis

  • The amyloid hypothesis suggests amyloid plaques are central to Alzheimer's, similar to cholesterol in heart disease.
  • Genetics studies show mutations can increase or decrease amyloid processing and Alzheimer's risk.
INSIGHT

Causation vs. Correlation

  • Amyloid plaques are observed in Alzheimer's patients, but correlation doesn't equal causation.
  • An underlying process could generate both amyloid and brain damage independently.
ANECDOTE

Aducanumab's Mixed Results

  • Aducanumab, an anti-amyloid drug, showed mixed results in trials.
  • The FDA granted accelerated approval despite an advisory committee's disapproval.
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