WASHINGTON, D.C., March 13, 2018 -- In a new story for Inside Science News Service, Joel Shurkin offers an intimate look at why Alzheimer's research is failing to help patients, including his own wife. Inside Science is an editorially-independent nonprofit journalism venture operated by the American Institute of Physics.
Researchers have long believed that Alzheimer's disease symptoms are caused by protein deposits called "amyloid plaques." But the amyloid model may be wrong, writes Shurkin, and that could explain why so many new drugs have failed in clinical trials. Shurkin's wife was a patient in a now-canceled trial, and her story offers a poignant glimpse of the human cost of such failures.
Shurkin explains the science that led to the amyloid model, as well as the creeping doubts now rising amongst Alzheimer's researchers. He goes on to describe potential new directions for future research -- research that will be too late for his wife, but perhaps life-saving for others down the road.
####
ABOUT INSIDE SCIENCE
Inside Science is an editorially-independent nonprofit science news service run out of the American Institute of Physics and supported by a coalition of underwriters. It produces original breaking news stories, features, essays, illustrations, documentaries, animations and news videos, all of which are procurable for syndication by news organizations or available on our web site. https://www.insidescience.org
ABOUT AIP
The American Institute of Physics is an organization of physical science societies, representing scientists, engineers, educators, and students. AIP delivers valuable services and expertise in education and student programs, science communications, government relations, career
AIP Media American Institute of Physics 301-209-3090 [email protected]


Fast Retailing Shares Drop as Uniqlo Japan August Sales Fall
Trump Says ExxonMobil Among Oil Majors Planning Venezuela Return
Microsoft to Reveal Azure Revenue in Major Reporting Shake-Up
OpenAI Rejects Apple Trade Secret Theft Claims
GM Canada Workers Approve C$1.1 Billion Investment Deal
MongoDB Stock Sinks 14% as Atlas Growth Misses Expectations
Shein Shares Slide 9% in Hong Kong IPO Debut
Audi, SAIC Launch China Innovation Hub for New AUDI Models
Thomson Reuters C-Track Cyberattack Hits Courts Across U.S. and Canada
Shein Shares Drop 5% After Weak Hong Kong IPO Debut
Lynas Rare Earths Shares Rise After Takeover Talks Revealed
Trump Secures Drug Pricing Deals With Nine Pharma Companies
ByteDance Secures $29.6 Billion Loan to Boost AI Investment
MediaTek Shares Jump 10% on Nvidia’s $3.5 Billion Investment
France Targets Shein, Temu With Fast-Fashion Fees
BP Names Ian Tyler Permanent Chairman After Governance Shake-Up
GSM Eyes US, Europe Expansion Ahead of 2028 Hong Kong IPO 



