671. Why Has There Been So Little Progress on Alzheimer’s Disease?

One possibility: a leading hypothesis pursued by researchers (and funders) was built on science that now appears to be fraudulent. Stephen Dubner speaks with the scientist and the journalist who blew the whistle.

• SOURCES:

• Charles Piller (science.org/content/author/charles-piller), investigative journalist for Science, author of Doctored.

• Matthew Schrag (vumc.org/vmac/person/matthew-s-schrag-md-phd), associate professor of neurology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

• RESOURCES:

• Doctored: Fraud, Arrogance, and Tragedy in the Quest to Cure Alzheimer's (amzn.to/4tgz7t3), by Charles Piller (2025).

• "The brain makes a lot of waste. Now scientists think they know where it goes (npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2024/06/26/…)," by Jon Hamilton (NPR, 2024).

• "The history of Alzheimer’s disease (nature.com/immersive/alzheimers-disease-histor…)," by Lisa Kiani and Richard Hodson (Nature, 2024).

• EXTRAS:

• "Can Marty Makary Fix the F.D.A.? (freakonomics.com/podcast/can-marty-makary-fix-…)" by Freakonomics Radio (2026).

• "Are You Ready for the Elder Swell? (freakonomics.com/podcast/are-you-ready-for-the…)" by Freakonomics Radio (2025).

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