Alzheimer’s Is Not Normal Aging — And We Can Cure It | Samuel Cohen | TED Talks

Summary

In 1901, Auguste Deter was diagnosed with Alzheimer's by Dr. Alois Alzheimer, marking the first recorded case of the disease. Despite advances in medicine, little progress has been made in treating Alzheimer's, which now affects 40 million people globally, with that number expected to rise sharply by 2050. This script highlights the critical need for more research and awareness. It discusses current scientific efforts to find a cure, showing promising results in early drug trials, and urges people to advocate for more resources to fight this devastating disease.

Takeaways

• 🧠 Alzheimer's was first diagnosed in 1901 by Dr. Alois Alzheimer, after examining a patient named Auguste Deter who had severe memory loss and delusions.
• 📉 Despite significant medical advancements over the past century, we have made almost no progress in curing or even slowing down Alzheimer's disease.
• 🌍 Alzheimer's currently affects 40 million people worldwide, and this number is expected to rise to 150 million by 2050.
• 💸 Alzheimer's is the most expensive disease today, costing the U.S. over $200 billion annually, with costs projected to increase fivefold by 2050.
• 🔬 Alzheimer's is often confused with aging, but it is a disease that physically damages the brain, leading to memory loss, reduced mental abilities, and a shorter life expectancy.
• 🧩 Alzheimer's is caused by protein molecules misfolding and forming plaques and tangles in the brain, which we now understand better thanks to research.
• 💊 A diverse team of scientists is working to block critical steps in the protein misfolding process, and early tests on worms show promising results.
• 🚨 Alzheimer's is the only disease in the top 10 causes of death worldwide that cannot be prevented, cured, or slowed down.
• 📢 Public awareness and advocacy are essential to increase research funding and push for new treatments, similar to past movements for HIV and cancer.
• 🤝 Alzheimer's patients and their families often can't advocate for themselves, so it's up to others to raise awareness and demand a cure for this growing health crisis.

Q & A

Who was Auguste, and why was she significant in the history of Alzheimer's disease?

Auguste Deter was a woman taken to a medical asylum in Frankfurt in 1901, suffering from delusions and memory loss. She became the first patient diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, which was discovered by her doctor, Dr. Alois Alzheimer, after he found strange plaques and tangles in her brain during an autopsy.

What did Dr. Alois Alzheimer discover during Auguste's autopsy?

Dr. Alzheimer discovered strange plaques and tangles in Auguste's brain, which had never been seen before. These were later found to be hallmark features of Alzheimer's disease.

How has medical progress in treating Alzheimer's disease compared to other diseases over the last century?

While significant advances have been made in treating diseases like cancer, heart disease, and infections with antibiotics and vaccines, there has been little progress in treating, preventing, or curing Alzheimer's disease since its discovery over 100 years ago.

What is the projected global impact of Alzheimer's disease by 2050?

By 2050, it is projected that 150 million people worldwide will be affected by Alzheimer's, up from 40 million today. This increase is largely driven by the aging population.

What are the financial implications of Alzheimer's disease in the United States?

Alzheimer's care currently costs the United States $200 billion annually, with one in every five Medicare dollars spent on Alzheimer's. These costs are expected to increase fivefold by 2050.

Why has Alzheimer's research been underfunded compared to other diseases like cancer?

Alzheimer's research has been underfunded due to a lack of awareness and a historical misconception that Alzheimer's was simply a normal part of aging. As a result, less time and money have been invested in understanding the disease.

What is Alzheimer's disease, and how is it different from normal aging?

Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative brain disorder that causes memory loss, cognitive decline, and is ultimately fatal. It is different from normal aging because it causes physical damage to the brain, seen in the form of plaques and tangles, which are not present in healthy aged brains.

What progress has been made in understanding the biological mechanisms behind Alzheimer's?

Scientists have identified that Alzheimer's is caused by protein molecules misfolding, leading to clumps of plaques and tangles in the brain. Recent research has identified critical steps in this process and new classes of drugs are being tested to block these steps and stop the disease.

What was the significance of the worm experiments mentioned in the script?

The experiments involved worms with Alzheimer's-like protein clumps. When given a new drug early in the disease's progression, the worms remained healthy and lived normal lifespans, offering hope for the potential of these drugs to treat Alzheimer's in humans.

What is the speaker's call to action regarding Alzheimer's research?

The speaker calls on the public to raise awareness about Alzheimer's disease and advocate for more research funding, as patients and caregivers are often unable to do so themselves. This kind of advocacy has been crucial for advancing treatments for diseases like HIV and cancer.