Accessibility links
Doctored Photographs And The Search For An Effective Alzheimer's Treatment : 1A About 55 million people in the world have dementia. That's according to the World Health Organization. It's also the seventh leading cause of death among the global population.

The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer's disease. It makes up 60 to 70 percent of cases. But it's well behind other chronic illnesses on the journey to an effective treatment.

The reason may be attributed to years of research based on doctored images. Investigative reporter Charles Piller uncovered that and much more about the world of Alzheimer's research in his new book, "Doctored."

We talk to Piller about this Alzheimer's, faulty research, and the search for an effective cure.

Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

1A

Doctored Photographs And The Search For An Effective Alzheimer's Treatment

Doctored Photographs And The Search For An Effective Alzheimer's Treatment

Listen · 32:32
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1237470084/1267728224" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Enlarge this image

A nurse holds the hands of a person suffering from Alzheimer's disease. AFP/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
AFP/AFP via Getty Images

A nurse holds the hands of a person suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

AFP/AFP via Getty Images

About 55 million people in the world have dementia, according to the World Health Organization. It's also the seventh leading cause of death among the global population.

The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer's disease. It makes up 60 to 70 percent of cases. But it's well behind other chronic illnesses on the journey to an effective treatment.

The reason may be attributed to years of research based on doctored images. Investigative reporter Charles Piller uncovered that and much more about the world of Alzheimer's research in his new book, "Doctored."

We talk to Piller about this Alzheimer's, faulty research, and the search for an effective cure.

Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.