I’m going to talk to you today about an absolutely horrendous and devastating
absolutely horrendous and devastating
absolutely horrendous and devastating disease that slowly and steadily
disease that slowly and steadily
disease that slowly and steadily destroys the brain erases the mind and
destroys the brain erases the mind and
destroys the brain erases the mind and the entire time loved ones of the
the entire time loved ones of the
the entire time loved ones of the patient can only watch on helplessly as
patient can only watch on helplessly as
patient can only watch on helplessly as this horror unfolds I’m talking about
this horror unfolds I’m talking about
this horror unfolds I’m talking about Alzheimer’s disease this is a quiet
Alzheimer’s disease this is a quiet
Alzheimer’s disease this is a quiet thief in the night that relentlessly
thief in the night that relentlessly
thief in the night that relentlessly robs from the patient first the sense of
robs from the patient first the sense of
robs from the patient first the sense of identity personality and ultimately the
identity personality and ultimately the
identity personality and ultimately the very essence of self it’s about the
very essence of self it’s about the
very essence of self it’s about the worst thing you can imagine facing after
worst thing you can imagine facing after
worst thing you can imagine facing after you’ve lived an entire life of wonders
you’ve lived an entire life of wonders
you’ve lived an entire life of wonders and experiences with your loved ones and
and experiences with your loved ones and
and experiences with your loved ones and if that doesn’t sound bad enough I’m
if that doesn’t sound bad enough I’m
if that doesn’t sound bad enough I’m going to tell you that I’ve learned just
going to tell you that I’ve learned just
going to tell you that I’ve learned just feel 35 years and the bad news is we’ve
feel 35 years and the bad news is we’ve
feel 35 years and the bad news is we’ve been approaching this disease all along
been approaching this disease all along
been approaching this disease all along we’ve made lots of mistakes but luckily
we’ve made lots of mistakes but luckily
we’ve made lots of mistakes but luckily there have also been many victories and
there have also been many victories and
there have also been many victories and many discoveries with those mistakes and
many discoveries with those mistakes and
many discoveries with those mistakes and as scientists the really cool thing
as scientists the really cool thing
as scientists the really cool thing about being a scientist is that the most
about being a scientist is that the most
about being a scientist is that the most important thing you can do is learn from
important thing you can do is learn from
important thing you can do is learn from your mistakes and learn how to do things
your mistakes and learn how to do things
your mistakes and learn how to do things better and on that note I can tell you
better and on that note I can tell you
better and on that note I can tell you that right now
that right now
that right now based on our mistakes the opportunity
based on our mistakes the opportunity
based on our mistakes the opportunity has never been greater to stop this
has never been greater to stop this
has never been greater to stop this disease in this next generation in our
disease in this next generation in our
disease in this next generation in our lifetime maybe even by 2025 and I want
lifetime maybe even by 2025 and I want
lifetime maybe even by 2025 and I want to tell you about this story but I’m
to tell you about this story but I’m
to tell you about this story but I’m also going to tell you that families
also going to tell you that families
also going to tell you that families patients caregivers loved ones the
patients caregivers loved ones the
patients caregivers loved ones the medical and scientific communities and
medical and scientific communities and
medical and scientific communities and especially the FDA all have to talk to
especially the FDA all have to talk to
especially the FDA all have to talk to each other work together and listen to
each other work together and listen to
each other work together and listen to get the job done by the time I’m
get the job done by the time I’m
get the job done by the time I’m finished speaking I hope you get the
finished speaking I hope you get the
finished speaking I hope you get the same since I do that there’s a lot of
same since I do that there’s a lot of
same since I do that there’s a lot of reason to be optimistic what the future
reason to be optimistic what the future
reason to be optimistic what the future of stopping Alzheimer’s disease so first
there are 5.4 million patients in this
there are 5.4 million patients in this country today and worldwide there are 50
country today and worldwide there are 50
country today and worldwide there are 50 million and that 50 million is going to
million and that 50 million is going to
million and that 50 million is going to be the number we have in this country by
be the number we have in this country by
be the number we have in this country by 2050 if we don’t do something about this
2050 if we don’t do something about this
2050 if we don’t do something about this disease because right now we’re treating
disease because right now we’re treating
disease because right now we’re treating the disease with drugs that temporarily
the disease with drugs that temporarily
the disease with drugs that temporarily effect the symptoms modestly modest
effect the symptoms modestly modest
effect the symptoms modestly modest benefit for a short while now right now
benefit for a short while now right now
benefit for a short while now right now the current lifespan is close to 80
the current lifespan is close to 80
the current lifespan is close to 80 years old we’re living longer than ever
years old we’re living longer than ever
years old we’re living longer than ever but the problem is a lifespan has now
but the problem is a lifespan has now
but the problem is a lifespan has now outpacing our health span especially the
outpacing our health span especially the
outpacing our health span especially the health span of our brains all of modern
health span of our brains all of modern
health span of our brains all of modern medicine has us living longer but is our
medicine has us living longer but is our
medicine has us living longer but is our brain keeping up that’s what we have to
brain keeping up that’s what we have to
brain keeping up that’s what we have to face right now we’re going to be in big
face right now we’re going to be in big
face right now we’re going to be in big big trouble going forward and that’s
big trouble going forward and that’s
big trouble going forward and that’s because 40% of people at 85 years old
because 40% of people at 85 years old
because 40% of people at 85 years old have symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease so
have symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease so
have symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease so think about that 80 is the life span
think about that 80 is the life span
think about that 80 is the life span right now that’s going to go up to 85 40
right now that’s going to go up to 85 40
right now that’s going to go up to 85 40 percent is I mean everyone born soon is
percent is I mean everyone born soon is
percent is I mean everyone born soon is going to have a 40% chance of getting
going to have a 40% chance of getting
going to have a 40% chance of getting this disease especially such a
this disease especially such a
this disease especially such a devastating disease and right now there
devastating disease and right now there
devastating disease and right now there are 71 million baby boomers like myself
are 71 million baby boomers like myself
are 71 million baby boomers like myself all in one big group heading toward that
all in one big group heading toward that
all in one big group heading toward that risk age Alzheimer’s right now sucks up
risk age Alzheimer’s right now sucks up
risk age Alzheimer’s right now sucks up one in five dollars of Medicare and
one in five dollars of Medicare and
one in five dollars of Medicare and Medicaid and as these baby boomers age
Medicaid and as these baby boomers age
Medicaid and as these baby boomers age that’s going to jump up to one and four
that’s going to jump up to one and four
that’s going to jump up to one and four and then one in three and eventually if
and then one in three and eventually if
and then one in three and eventually if we don’t do anything about this disease
we don’t do anything about this disease
we don’t do anything about this disease Alzheimer’s will single-handedly
Alzheimer’s will single-handedly
Alzheimer’s will single-handedly collapse our health care system
collapse our health care system
collapse our health care system economically a disaster so this means
economically a disaster so this means
economically a disaster so this means that all of us have to work together to
that all of us have to work together to
that all of us have to work together to wake up and do something about it
wake up and do something about it
wake up and do something about it Alzheimer’s began with dr. Alzheimer dr.
Alzheimer’s began with dr. Alzheimer dr.
Alzheimer’s began with dr. Alzheimer dr. Louis Alzheimer described the case of
Louis Alzheimer described the case of
Louis Alzheimer described the case of Auguste deter who was in a Bavarian
Auguste deter who was in a Bavarian
Auguste deter who was in a Bavarian Asylum called Baron schloss which meant
Asylum called Baron schloss which meant
Asylum called Baron schloss which meant castle of the insane they weren’t
castle of the insane they weren’t
castle of the insane they weren’t politically correct back then about what
politically correct back then about what
politically correct back then about what they call their institutions he said she
they call their institutions he said she
they call their institutions he said she was a 55 year old woman with memory loss
was a 55 year old woman with memory loss
was a 55 year old woman with memory loss paranoia delusions hallucinations and he
paranoia delusions hallucinations and he
paranoia delusions hallucinations and he noted in his journal that she was often
noted in his journal that she was often
noted in his journal that she was often found screaming in the middle of the
found screaming in the middle of the
found screaming in the middle of the night these words
night these words
night these words oh god I have lost myself and that’s
oh god I have lost myself and that’s
oh god I have lost myself and that’s what this disease is see all of your
what this disease is see all of your
what this disease is see all of your life everything you experience is being
life everything you experience is being
life everything you experience is being recorded on a hundred billion neurons or
recorded on a hundred billion neurons or
recorded on a hundred billion neurons or nerve cells in your brain trillions of
nerve cells in your brain trillions of
nerve cells in your brain trillions of connections creating a neuro network
connections creating a neuro network
connections creating a neuro network like a tapestry the tapestry of who you
like a tapestry the tapestry of who you
like a tapestry the tapestry of who you are how you loved ones know you your
are how you loved ones know you your
are how you loved ones know you your personality Alzheimer’s comes in and
personality Alzheimer’s comes in and
personality Alzheimer’s comes in and slowly rips apart that tapestry thread
slowly rips apart that tapestry thread
slowly rips apart that tapestry thread by thread never resting until the
by thread never resting until the
by thread never resting until the tapestry is gone that’s what this
tapestry is gone that’s what this
tapestry is gone that’s what this disease is and this is what you’re
disease is and this is what you’re
disease is and this is what you’re hearing and August eat his words there
hearing and August eat his words there
hearing and August eat his words there for 80 years
for 80 years
for 80 years we only define the disease by what
we only define the disease by what
we only define the disease by what Alzheimer described in her brain he saw
Alzheimer described in her brain he saw
Alzheimer described in her brain he saw these plaques these big boulders of
these plaques these big boulders of
these plaques these big boulders of clumps of stuff
clumps of stuff
clumps of stuff that was good and sticky around the
that was good and sticky around the
that was good and sticky around the nerve cells he said the nerve cells were
nerve cells he said the nerve cells were
nerve cells he said the nerve cells were choked inside by tangles that were
choked inside by tangles that were
choked inside by tangles that were actually causing the nerve cells to die
actually causing the nerve cells to die
actually causing the nerve cells to die and he also saw that the brain was
and he also saw that the brain was
and he also saw that the brain was reacting to this to all this pathology
reacting to this to all this pathology
reacting to this to all this pathology and cell death with inflammation that
and cell death with inflammation that
and cell death with inflammation that caused even more nerve cells and for 80
caused even more nerve cells and for 80
caused even more nerve cells and for 80 years all we could do was describe the
years all we could do was describe the
years all we could do was describe the pathology so in terms of solving the
pathology so in terms of solving the
pathology so in terms of solving the disease it’s like aliens coming from
disease it’s like aliens coming from
disease it’s like aliens coming from space and wanted to figure out football
space and wanted to figure out football
space and wanted to figure out football and they get to the stadium at six
and they get to the stadium at six
and they get to the stadium at six o’clock and the game was at one o’clock
o’clock and the game was at one o’clock
o’clock and the game was at one o’clock they find a helmet they find a football
they find a helmet they find a football
they find a helmet they find a football they find maybe some dug up turf and
they find maybe some dug up turf and
they find maybe some dug up turf and cleat marks and they say okay now let’s
cleat marks and they say okay now let’s
cleat marks and they say okay now let’s figure out what football is right you
figure out what football is right you
figure out what football is right you get some clues but you can’t figure it
get some clues but you can’t figure it
get some clues but you can’t figure it out and it wasn’t until the 80s and 90s
out and it wasn’t until the 80s and 90s
out and it wasn’t until the 80s and 90s when I was lucky enough as a student at
when I was lucky enough as a student at
when I was lucky enough as a student at Harvard to find the first Alzheimer’s
Harvard to find the first Alzheimer’s
Harvard to find the first Alzheimer’s gene the amyloid precursor protein it
gene the amyloid precursor protein it
gene the amyloid precursor protein it makes the stuff that’s in the amyloid
makes the stuff that’s in the amyloid
makes the stuff that’s in the amyloid plaques we found more genes in 1995
plaques we found more genes in 1995
plaques we found more genes in 1995 called the pre-sentence and it was
called the pre-sentence and it was
called the pre-sentence and it was another gene found called a bowi
another gene found called a bowi
another gene found called a bowi and once these genes were found now
and once these genes were found now
and once these genes were found now finally we had windows into disease
finally we had windows into disease
finally we had windows into disease finally we said we have some real clues
finally we said we have some real clues
finally we said we have some real clues that we could grab on to their eye tell
that we could grab on to their eye tell
that we could grab on to their eye tell us how this disease is caused and what
us how this disease is caused and what
us how this disease is caused and what one does with genes is you come up with
one does with genes is you come up with
one does with genes is you come up with drug targets and I’ll use an example
drug targets and I’ll use an example
drug targets and I’ll use an example first heart disease we take for granted
first heart disease we take for granted
first heart disease we take for granted that you have to keep your cholesterol
that you have to keep your cholesterol
that you have to keep your cholesterol low but did you know that that began
low but did you know that that began
low but did you know that that began with very rare families who had very
with very rare families who had very
with very rare families who had very rare genetic mutations
rare genetic mutations
rare genetic mutations that caused them to have high
that caused them to have high
that caused them to have high cholesterol and when this was observed
cholesterol and when this was observed
cholesterol and when this was observed the idea came about hey maybe
the idea came about hey maybe
the idea came about hey maybe cholesterol has something to do with
cholesterol has something to do with
cholesterol has something to do with heart disease and now of course we all
heart disease and now of course we all
heart disease and now of course we all manage our cholesterol to avoid heart
manage our cholesterol to avoid heart
manage our cholesterol to avoid heart disease in our futures in a completely
disease in our futures in a completely
disease in our futures in a completely analogous situation with those first
analogous situation with those first
analogous situation with those first genes I just showed you from the 80s and
genes I just showed you from the 80s and
genes I just showed you from the 80s and 90s taught us was that our cholesterol
90s taught us was that our cholesterol
90s taught us was that our cholesterol so to speak at Alzheimer’s is something
so to speak at Alzheimer’s is something
so to speak at Alzheimer’s is something called the amyloid beta protein we call
called the amyloid beta protein we call
called the amyloid beta protein we call it a beta for short and it’s this little
it a beta for short and it’s this little
it a beta for short and it’s this little tiny protein that gets extruded from
tiny protein that gets extruded from
tiny protein that gets extruded from nerve cells it comes from a bigger
nerve cells it comes from a bigger
nerve cells it comes from a bigger protein that gets clipped so picture a
protein that gets clipped so picture a
protein that gets clipped so picture a piece of rope in your clip in two spots
piece of rope in your clip in two spots
piece of rope in your clip in two spots and it gets extruded and over time if it
and it gets extruded and over time if it
and it gets extruded and over time if it starts to accumulate and form plaques
starts to accumulate and form plaques
starts to accumulate and form plaques the idea is that that causes the disease
the idea is that that causes the disease
the idea is that that causes the disease that’s what all the genetics in the 80s
that’s what all the genetics in the 80s
that’s what all the genetics in the 80s and 90s told us well so we tested that
and 90s told us well so we tested that
and 90s told us well so we tested that the idea was if plaques caused a disease
the idea was if plaques caused a disease
the idea was if plaques caused a disease the plaque should cause the tangles as
the plaque should cause the tangles as
the plaque should cause the tangles as these twisted filaments to choke the
these twisted filaments to choke the
these twisted filaments to choke the inside of the nerve cells they made of a
inside of the nerve cells they made of a
inside of the nerve cells they made of a protein called tau the Greek symbol tau
protein called tau the Greek symbol tau
protein called tau the Greek symbol tau so we tried to put these genes into mice
so we tried to put these genes into mice
so we tried to put these genes into mice for two decades you put in these
for two decades you put in these
for two decades you put in these Alzheimer’s genes that make the amyloid
Alzheimer’s genes that make the amyloid
Alzheimer’s genes that make the amyloid plaques and the mice and then you wait
plaques and the mice and then you wait
plaques and the mice and then you wait for the mice to get the tangles and rest
for the mice to get the tangles and rest
for the mice to get the tangles and rest of the disease and yeah the mice get
of the disease and yeah the mice get
of the disease and yeah the mice get sick but the mouse would have to say my
sick but the mouse would have to say my
sick but the mouse would have to say my brain has lots of amyloid plaques but no
brain has lots of amyloid plaques but no
brain has lots of amyloid plaques but no tangles so this led to so much confusion
tangles so this led to so much confusion
tangles so this led to so much confusion people were fighting back and forth see
people were fighting back and forth see
people were fighting back and forth see it’s not the amyloid it’s the tangles is
it’s not the amyloid it’s the tangles is
it’s not the amyloid it’s the tangles is at the my toes of tangles what causes
at the my toes of tangles what causes
at the my toes of tangles what causes the disease amyloid beta amyloid protein
the disease amyloid beta amyloid protein
the disease amyloid beta amyloid protein is called B AP so there were two
is called B AP so there were two
is called B AP so there were two baptists and then there were the talus
baptists and then there were the talus
baptists and then there were the talus and they would fight grown men fighting
and they would fight grown men fighting
and they would fight grown men fighting like children at meetings and it was
like children at meetings and it was
like children at meetings and it was because we’re doing experiments and mice
because we’re doing experiments and mice
because we’re doing experiments and mice and many of us argued very simply hey
and many of us argued very simply hey
and many of us argued very simply hey you know what we’re not 150-pound mice
you know what we’re not 150-pound mice
you know what we’re not 150-pound mice you know maybe there’s some difference
you know maybe there’s some difference
you know maybe there’s some difference between a mouse and a human if you just
between a mouse and a human if you just
between a mouse and a human if you just kind of look at them
kind of look at them
kind of look at them why don’t you would it be nice to be
why don’t you would it be nice to be
why don’t you would it be nice to be able to use a human brain well with the
able to use a human brain well with the
able to use a human brain well with the advent of stem cells now we can build
advent of stem cells now we can build
advent of stem cells now we can build human brains in a dish and this is
human brains in a dish and this is
human brains in a dish and this is exactly what my colleagues at Mass
exactly what my colleagues at Mass
exactly what my colleagues at Mass General did particularly do young
General did particularly do young
General did particularly do young he was able to take stem cells from
he was able to take stem cells from
he was able to take stem cells from humans human stem cells create nerve
humans human stem cells create nerve
humans human stem cells create nerve cells you see there on the side of the
cells you see there on the side of the
cells you see there on the side of the panel and now if you grow them in a gel
panel and now if you grow them in a gel
panel and now if you grow them in a gel because the brain is like jello if you
because the brain is like jello if you
because the brain is like jello if you grow them in a gel that mimics the brain
grow them in a gel that mimics the brain
grow them in a gel that mimics the brain the nerve cells start interacting and
the nerve cells start interacting and
the nerve cells start interacting and talking to each other and creating neuro
talking to each other and creating neuro
talking to each other and creating neuro networks just like in a real brain and
networks just like in a real brain and
networks just like in a real brain and if you put those Alzheimer’s genes in
if you put those Alzheimer’s genes in
if you put those Alzheimer’s genes in the same ones we tried in the mice put
the same ones we tried in the mice put
the same ones we tried in the mice put those into the cells and have them make
those into the cells and have them make
those into the cells and have them make amyloid you see in the middle panel that
amyloid you see in the middle panel that
amyloid you see in the middle panel that orange dot in the middle that’s a plaque
orange dot in the middle that’s a plaque
orange dot in the middle that’s a plaque for the first time you can make a plaque
for the first time you can make a plaque
for the first time you can make a plaque the plaque was being formed in a mini
the plaque was being formed in a mini
the plaque was being formed in a mini little brain in a petri dish Alzheimer’s
little brain in a petri dish Alzheimer’s
little brain in a petri dish Alzheimer’s in the dish human brain organoids but
in the dish human brain organoids but
in the dish human brain organoids but the beautiful thing was it took about
the beautiful thing was it took about
the beautiful thing was it took about six weeks for that plaque to form six
six weeks for that plaque to form six
six weeks for that plaque to form six weeks versus you know decades in a human
weeks versus you know decades in a human
weeks versus you know decades in a human and if you wait a little longer then you
and if you wait a little longer then you
and if you wait a little longer then you see the tangles reowww tangles that kill
see the tangles reowww tangles that kill
see the tangles reowww tangles that kill the nerve cells something we couldn’t do
the nerve cells something we couldn’t do
the nerve cells something we couldn’t do in mice and if you use drugs that stop
in mice and if you use drugs that stop
in mice and if you use drugs that stop the plaques in the dish in the brain you
the plaques in the dish in the brain you
the plaques in the dish in the brain you don’t get the tangles so this said to us
don’t get the tangles so this said to us
don’t get the tangles so this said to us yes finally debate over plaques cause
yes finally debate over plaques cause
yes finally debate over plaques cause the tangles and that said to us well if
the tangles and that said to us well if
the tangles and that said to us well if we can stop the plaques then we stopped
we can stop the plaques then we stopped
we can stop the plaques then we stopped Alzheimer’s disease it’s that simple
Alzheimer’s disease it’s that simple
Alzheimer’s disease it’s that simple right well we tried that and the answer
right well we tried that and the answer
right well we tried that and the answer was nope every Alzheimer trial another
was nope every Alzheimer trial another
was nope every Alzheimer trial another mistake every house on a trial that
mistake every house on a trial that
mistake every house on a trial that targeted the plaques failed whether
targeted the plaques failed whether
targeted the plaques failed whether you’re trying to turn off the spigot
you’re trying to turn off the spigot
you’re trying to turn off the spigot turn off the amyloid production that’s
turn off the amyloid production that’s
turn off the amyloid production that’s the brain overflowing with amyloid in
the brain overflowing with amyloid in
the brain overflowing with amyloid in the middle or you tried to clear the my
the middle or you tried to clear the my
the middle or you tried to clear the my doubt of the brain every attempt to do
doubt of the brain every attempt to do
doubt of the brain every attempt to do so no improvement in cognition in the
so no improvement in cognition in the
so no improvement in cognition in the patient’s failure after failure and
patient’s failure after failure and
patient’s failure after failure and again this led to argument CD amyloids
again this led to argument CD amyloids
again this led to argument CD amyloids not the right thing and then we realized
not the right thing and then we realized
not the right thing and then we realized something because we had great
something because we had great
something because we had great breakthroughs in brain imaging if you
breakthroughs in brain imaging if you
breakthroughs in brain imaging if you look up top what you’re seeing there is
look up top what you’re seeing there is
look up top what you’re seeing there is every time blue goes to yellow and red
every time blue goes to yellow and red
every time blue goes to yellow and red that’s showing where amyloid is in the
that’s showing where amyloid is in the
that’s showing where amyloid is in the brain now we can image and actually see
brain now we can image and actually see
brain now we can image and actually see the amyloid in your brain and get an
the amyloid in your brain and get an
the amyloid in your brain and get an idea of when D amyloid occurs and what
idea of when D amyloid occurs and what
idea of when D amyloid occurs and what we learned was pretty striking the
we learned was pretty striking the
we learned was pretty striking the amyloids building up 10 to 20 years
amyloids building up 10 to 20 years
amyloids building up 10 to 20 years before any symptoms of
before any symptoms of
before any symptoms of mention 10 to 20 years so if you follow
mention 10 to 20 years so if you follow
mention 10 to 20 years so if you follow that that slope all the way to the left
that that slope all the way to the left
that that slope all the way to the left you see the beta-amyloid goes up and
you see the beta-amyloid goes up and
you see the beta-amyloid goes up and then when it starts to flatten out
then when it starts to flatten out
then when it starts to flatten out that’s when does dementia it’s already
that’s when does dementia it’s already
that’s when does dementia it’s already done its job the amyloid is already
done its job the amyloid is already
done its job the amyloid is already built up and started the disease and so
built up and started the disease and so
built up and started the disease and so then we’re going in there after emily
then we’re going in there after emily
then we’re going in there after emily has already done it and saying don’t
has already done it and saying don’t
has already done it and saying don’t worry we’re going to lower your amyloid
worry we’re going to lower your amyloid
worry we’re going to lower your amyloid well horses out of the barn it’s
well horses out of the barn it’s
well horses out of the barn it’s equivalent to this scenario here this is
equivalent to this scenario here this is
equivalent to this scenario here this is poor guys having a heart attack and the
poor guys having a heart attack and the
poor guys having a heart attack and the doc is saying it’s okay you just need to
doc is saying it’s okay you just need to
doc is saying it’s okay you just need to clone your cholesterol right you had to
clone your cholesterol right you had to
clone your cholesterol right you had to do that 10-15 years ago when you knew he
do that 10-15 years ago when you knew he
do that 10-15 years ago when you knew he was on his way to heart disease you
was on his way to heart disease you
was on his way to heart disease you don’t wait till the patient has symptoms
don’t wait till the patient has symptoms
don’t wait till the patient has symptoms imagine and this brings up a point
imagine and this brings up a point
imagine and this brings up a point imagine if we waited till someone had
imagine if we waited till someone had
imagine if we waited till someone had symptoms of cancer organ failure or
symptoms of cancer organ failure or
symptoms of cancer organ failure or waited till someone had congestive heart
waited till someone had congestive heart
waited till someone had congestive heart failure and a heart attack to say okay
failure and a heart attack to say okay
failure and a heart attack to say okay now you have cancer now your fault
now you have cancer now your fault
now you have cancer now your fault disease right we don’t do that as soon
disease right we don’t do that as soon
disease right we don’t do that as soon as you have a small tumor neoplastic
as you have a small tumor neoplastic
as you have a small tumor neoplastic cell we say this cancer we have to treat
cell we say this cancer we have to treat
cell we say this cancer we have to treat it when you start to see high
it when you start to see high
it when you start to see high cholesterol and plaque around the heart
cholesterol and plaque around the heart
cholesterol and plaque around the heart you say you’re starting heart disease we
you say you’re starting heart disease we
you say you’re starting heart disease we have to treat it and so on the same
have to treat it and so on the same
have to treat it and so on the same thing in AIDS when you have HIV you
thing in AIDS when you have HIV you
thing in AIDS when you have HIV you don’t wait for symptoms of AIDS to say
don’t wait for symptoms of AIDS to say
don’t wait for symptoms of AIDS to say you have AIDS but an Alzheimer’s disease
you have AIDS but an Alzheimer’s disease
you have AIDS but an Alzheimer’s disease we wait until you have symptoms to
we wait until you have symptoms to
we wait until you have symptoms to diagnose and treat the disease it’s like
diagnose and treat the disease it’s like
diagnose and treat the disease it’s like how do we do that how’d that happen and
how do we do that how’d that happen and
how do we do that how’d that happen and every other disease of Aging we stop it
every other disease of Aging we stop it
every other disease of Aging we stop it with early intervention early detection
with early intervention early detection
with early intervention early detection but in Alzheimer’s we diagnosed only
but in Alzheimer’s we diagnosed only
but in Alzheimer’s we diagnosed only when you already have the disease and
when you already have the disease and
when you already have the disease and then we try to bring you back that was
then we try to bring you back that was
then we try to bring you back that was the big mistake amyloid is a good target
the big mistake amyloid is a good target
the big mistake amyloid is a good target but you have to hit it early unlike cars
but you have to hit it early unlike cars
but you have to hit it early unlike cars is using cancer we don’t treat the cause
is using cancer we don’t treat the cause
is using cancer we don’t treat the cause early enough we need to stop those
early enough we need to stop those
early enough we need to stop those plaques 10 to 20 years before symptoms
plaques 10 to 20 years before symptoms
plaques 10 to 20 years before symptoms we can use brain imaging and biomarkers
we can use brain imaging and biomarkers
we can use brain imaging and biomarkers now if patients who in people who are
now if patients who in people who are
now if patients who in people who are asymptomatic or very mild mild memory
asymptomatic or very mild mild memory
asymptomatic or very mild mild memory problems start to see whether it is
problems start to see whether it is
problems start to see whether it is amyloid in the brain and that’s when you
amyloid in the brain and that’s when you
amyloid in the brain and that’s when you treat you don’t wait until the horses
treat you don’t wait until the horses
treat you don’t wait until the horses are at the barn and I think this gives
are at the barn and I think this gives
are at the barn and I think this gives us great hope now that if we can
us great hope now that if we can
us great hope now that if we can convince the FDA that this is the way
convince the FDA that this is the way
convince the FDA that this is the way forward and there are many safe drugs on
forward and there are many safe drugs on
forward and there are many safe drugs on the horizon we’re making them others are
the horizon we’re making them others are
the horizon we’re making them others are making them safe drugs and therapies
making them safe drugs and therapies
making them safe drugs and therapies that will bring that M
that will bring that M
that will bring that M lay down we have to lower the bar a
lay down we have to lower the bar a
lay down we have to lower the bar a little bit when we do trials we can’t
little bit when we do trials we can’t
little bit when we do trials we can’t expect you’re going to bring somebody
expect you’re going to bring somebody
expect you’re going to bring somebody cognitively back by hitting a pathology
cognitively back by hitting a pathology
cognitively back by hitting a pathology to started the disease twenty years
to started the disease twenty years
to started the disease twenty years before it’s good enough to lower the
before it’s good enough to lower the
before it’s good enough to lower the amyloid there’s enough data now to say
amyloid there’s enough data now to say
amyloid there’s enough data now to say come on let’s work together define
come on let’s work together define
come on let’s work together define people early on who have amyloid
people early on who have amyloid
people early on who have amyloid building up in their brain through
building up in their brain through
building up in their brain through alarming levels and bring that amyloid
alarming levels and bring that amyloid
alarming levels and bring that amyloid back down just like we do a cholesterol
back down just like we do a cholesterol
back down just like we do a cholesterol heart disease that’s the turning point
heart disease that’s the turning point
heart disease that’s the turning point right now like I said medical scientific
right now like I said medical scientific
right now like I said medical scientific community Families FDA have to work
community Families FDA have to work
community Families FDA have to work together to make this happen
together to make this happen
together to make this happen now many people ask when I get to this
now many people ask when I get to this
now many people ask when I get to this point well why do our brains make
point well why do our brains make
point well why do our brains make amyloid why do we make it in the first
amyloid why do we make it in the first
amyloid why do we make it in the first place and this is what I want to tell
place and this is what I want to tell
place and this is what I want to tell you about a very exciting new hypothesis
you about a very exciting new hypothesis
you about a very exciting new hypothesis that is arisen based on new data the
that is arisen based on new data the
that is arisen based on new data the pathogen hypothesis and I don’t have a
pathogen hypothesis and I don’t have a
pathogen hypothesis and I don’t have a lot of time to go into it but it appears
lot of time to go into it but it appears
lot of time to go into it but it appears that our brains are not sterile living
that our brains are not sterile living
that our brains are not sterile living in our brains are bacteria viruses like
in our brains are bacteria viruses like
in our brains are bacteria viruses like herpes fungus like yeast especially as
herpes fungus like yeast especially as
herpes fungus like yeast especially as we get older we’re getting more and more
we get older we’re getting more and more
we get older we’re getting more and more little microbes and buggies living in
little microbes and buggies living in
little microbes and buggies living in our brain and it turns out based on the
our brain and it turns out based on the
our brain and it turns out based on the newest data that we have just published
newest data that we have just published
newest data that we have just published that the plaques are actually there to
that the plaques are actually there to
that the plaques are actually there to protect the brain when there’s an
protect the brain when there’s an
protect the brain when there’s an infection even a low-grade infection the
infection even a low-grade infection the
infection even a low-grade infection the amyloid plaques form around the herpes
amyloid plaques form around the herpes
amyloid plaques form around the herpes or around the yeast of bacteria to trap
or around the yeast of bacteria to trap
or around the yeast of bacteria to trap it and keep it away from the nerve cells
it and keep it away from the nerve cells
it and keep it away from the nerve cells it’s trying to do a good job but then if
it’s trying to do a good job but then if
it’s trying to do a good job but then if there’s too many of those plaques they
there’s too many of those plaques they
there’s too many of those plaques they trigger the tangles in the rest of the
trigger the tangles in the rest of the
trigger the tangles in the rest of the disease so this says that not only
disease so this says that not only
disease so this says that not only tackle the amyloid early on but if we
tackle the amyloid early on but if we
tackle the amyloid early on but if we can find out what types of microbes are
can find out what types of microbes are
can find out what types of microbes are invading the brain we can hit those
invading the brain we can hit those
invading the brain we can hit those early on as well
early on as well
early on as well antivirals antibacterials etc the bottom
antivirals antibacterials etc the bottom
antivirals antibacterials etc the bottom panel shows a herpes virus and then in
panel shows a herpes virus and then in
panel shows a herpes virus and then in just 30 minutes or 2 hours you can see
just 30 minutes or 2 hours you can see
just 30 minutes or 2 hours you can see amyloid plaque completely enveloping
amyloid plaque completely enveloping
amyloid plaque completely enveloping that virus and that’s in in a mouse
that virus and that’s in in a mouse
that virus and that’s in in a mouse brain or in the Alzheimer’s in the dish
brain or in the Alzheimer’s in the dish
brain or in the Alzheimer’s in the dish so that says that we also have to be
so that says that we also have to be
so that says that we also have to be careful when we hit amyloid with drugs
careful when we hit amyloid with drugs
careful when we hit amyloid with drugs we don’t want to wipe it out we just
we don’t want to wipe it out we just
we don’t want to wipe it out we just want to turn it down this in when this
want to turn it down this in when this
want to turn it down this in when this happens I just want to show this one
happens I just want to show this one
happens I just want to show this one slide that little red guy in the middle
slide that little red guy in the middle
slide that little red guy in the middle you see the red guy in the middle he’s
you see the red guy in the middle he’s
you see the red guy in the middle he’s eating that green strain coming out of
eating that green strain coming out of
eating that green strain coming out of the green blob the green blob is a
the green blob the green blob is a
the green blob the green blob is a nerves
nerves
nerves and that green string is its axon it
and that green string is its axon it
and that green string is its axon it goes to a synapse and what happens is
goes to a synapse and what happens is
goes to a synapse and what happens is when you get this attack of amyloid and
when you get this attack of amyloid and
when you get this attack of amyloid and bacteria in the brain those little guys
bacteria in the brain those little guys
bacteria in the brain those little guys come microglial go crazy and eat nerve
come microglial go crazy and eat nerve
come microglial go crazy and eat nerve cells
cells
cells that’s called inflammation this is what
that’s called inflammation this is what
that’s called inflammation this is what you have to stop in patients who have
you have to stop in patients who have
you have to stop in patients who have the disease right now we have to stop
the disease right now we have to stop
the disease right now we have to stop the amyloid plaques and tangles before
the amyloid plaques and tangles before
the amyloid plaques and tangles before you even get there so now we have some
you even get there so now we have some
you even get there so now we have some idea what to do with the right patient
idea what to do with the right patient
idea what to do with the right patient right drug right time and then the end
right drug right time and then the end
right drug right time and then the end what’s going to beat this disease as
what’s going to beat this disease as
what’s going to beat this disease as early prediction based on family history
early prediction based on family history
early prediction based on family history early detection with imaging of
early detection with imaging of
early detection with imaging of biomarkers and early interventions not
biomarkers and early interventions not
biomarkers and early interventions not that pathology before there are symptoms
that pathology before there are symptoms
that pathology before there are symptoms just like we do for cancer heart disease
just like we do for cancer heart disease
just like we do for cancer heart disease diabetes and we’re going to have to do
diabetes and we’re going to have to do
diabetes and we’re going to have to do this all with a cocktail we’re going to
this all with a cocktail we’re going to
this all with a cocktail we’re going to need to hit the plaques the tangos the
need to hit the plaques the tangos the
need to hit the plaques the tangos the inflammation all of it I work closely
inflammation all of it I work closely
inflammation all of it I work closely with the cure Alzheimer’s fund working
with the cure Alzheimer’s fund working
with the cure Alzheimer’s fund working on all of these aspects and I think
on all of these aspects and I think
on all of these aspects and I think we’re making great progress and I think
we’re making great progress and I think
we’re making great progress and I think if we work together we’re going to beat
if we work together we’re going to beat
if we work together we’re going to beat this disease I’ve actually never been up
this disease I’ve actually never been up
this disease I’ve actually never been up more optimistic that we’re going to beat
more optimistic that we’re going to beat
more optimistic that we’re going to beat this disease if we just take that out of
this disease if we just take that out of
this disease if we just take that out of this in front of us and do the right
this in front of us and do the right
this in front of us and do the right thing now and all work together to make
thing now and all work together to make
thing now and all work together to make it happen now on the side until we have
it happen now on the side until we have
it happen now on the side until we have those drugs what can you do I like to
those drugs what can you do I like to
those drugs what can you do I like to use the acronym sleds sleds not that
use the acronym sleds sleds not that
use the acronym sleds sleds not that you’re going to slide down but but get
you’re going to slide down but but get
you’re going to slide down but but get eight hours of sleep learn so come to
eight hours of sleep learn so come to
eight hours of sleep learn so come to Ted exercise at least 8000 steps per day
Ted exercise at least 8000 steps per day
Ted exercise at least 8000 steps per day diet Mediterranean is the best omega-3
diet Mediterranean is the best omega-3
diet Mediterranean is the best omega-3 is very important stress try to meditate
is very important stress try to meditate
is very important stress try to meditate very very beneficial so remember sleds
very very beneficial so remember sleds
very very beneficial so remember sleds and that’s what we can do until we have
and that’s what we can do until we have
and that’s what we can do until we have the right drugs now as I end on the side
the right drugs now as I end on the side
the right drugs now as I end on the side I’m a musician I play often with with
I’m a musician I play often with with
I’m a musician I play often with with Joe Perry of Aerosmith and I’ve played
Joe Perry of Aerosmith and I’ve played
Joe Perry of Aerosmith and I’ve played in the last hours with the album this is
in the last hours with the album this is
in the last hours with the album this is a Joe Perry on the Jay Leno Show looking
a Joe Perry on the Jay Leno Show looking
a Joe Perry on the Jay Leno Show looking very suave and like a rock star and
very suave and like a rock star and
very suave and like a rock star and that’s me in the back on the keyboards
that’s me in the back on the keyboards
that’s me in the back on the keyboards saying what the heck am I doing here I’m
saying what the heck am I doing here I’m
saying what the heck am I doing here I’m a geneticist but it’s but this what is
a geneticist but it’s but this what is
a geneticist but it’s but this what is fun I also started a music app called
fun I also started a music app called
fun I also started a music app called spark that it’s a music therapy app for
spark that it’s a music therapy app for
spark that it’s a music therapy app for Alzheimer’s patients so I’d like to keep
Alzheimer’s patients so I’d like to keep
Alzheimer’s patients so I’d like to keep music in my life and speaking of that at
music in my life and speaking of that at
music in my life and speaking of that at this time I would like to welcome to the
this time I would like to welcome to the
this time I would like to welcome to the stage my good friend Chris man
thank you very much I have a strong
thank you very much I have a strong connection with Alzheimer’s both of my
connection with Alzheimer’s both of my
connection with Alzheimer’s both of my grandmother’s passed away with forms of
grandmother’s passed away with forms of
grandmother’s passed away with forms of the disease and my paternal grandmother
the disease and my paternal grandmother
the disease and my paternal grandmother was diagnosed with early onset
was diagnosed with early onset
was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s in her late 40s so it’s
Alzheimer’s in her late 40s so it’s
Alzheimer’s in her late 40s so it’s always been a very scary part of my life
always been a very scary part of my life
always been a very scary part of my life so I was very very happy and excited to
so I was very very happy and excited to
so I was very very happy and excited to connect with Rudy who I literally
connect with Rudy who I literally
connect with Rudy who I literally cornered at the TV studio where we met
cornered at the TV studio where we met
cornered at the TV studio where we met and demanded to learn as much about his
and demanded to learn as much about his
and demanded to learn as much about his research as I possibly could not through
research as I possibly could not through
research as I possibly could not through our connection with music and
our connection with music and
our connection with music and Alzheimer’s we did want to write an
Alzheimer’s we did want to write an
Alzheimer’s we did want to write an anthem of hope to raise awareness and
anthem of hope to raise awareness and
anthem of hope to raise awareness and the song is called remember me we wanted
the song is called remember me we wanted
the song is called remember me we wanted to write remember me from the
to write remember me from the
to write remember me from the perspective of someone with Alzheimer’s
perspective of someone with Alzheimer’s
perspective of someone with Alzheimer’s so that other people could relate to how
so that other people could relate to how
so that other people could relate to how terrifying it is to live with this
terrifying it is to live with this
terrifying it is to live with this disease and how crucial it is that we
disease and how crucial it is that we
disease and how crucial it is that we find a cure by donating proceeds from
find a cure by donating proceeds from
find a cure by donating proceeds from the sale of the song to Alzheimer’s
the sale of the song to Alzheimer’s
the sale of the song to Alzheimer’s research we were able to take action a
research we were able to take action a
research we were able to take action a step further with the help of cure
step further with the help of cure
step further with the help of cure Alzheimer’s fund by producing a music
Alzheimer’s fund by producing a music
Alzheimer’s fund by producing a music video and visual art piece for remember
video and visual art piece for remember
video and visual art piece for remember me that very poignant ly portrays the
me that very poignant ly portrays the
me that very poignant ly portrays the struggle of living with Alzheimer’s
struggle of living with Alzheimer’s
struggle of living with Alzheimer’s through dance and music now at the time
through dance and music now at the time
through dance and music now at the time I was playing the phantom of phantom of
I was playing the phantom of phantom of
I was playing the phantom of phantom of the opera’ national tour so I was able
the opera’ national tour so I was able
the opera’ national tour so I was able to implore my very talented cast and
to implore my very talented cast and
to implore my very talented cast and crew mates who had a connection with the
crew mates who had a connection with the
crew mates who had a connection with the disease to donate their time to the
disease to donate their time to the
disease to donate their time to the cause as well here you can see us on set
cause as well here you can see us on set
cause as well here you can see us on set creating the video our dancer our makeup
creating the video our dancer our makeup
creating the video our dancer our makeup artist our hair department my wife who
artist our hair department my wife who
artist our hair department my wife who directed Laura everyone donated their
directed Laura everyone donated their
directed Laura everyone donated their time to bring this story to life here
time to bring this story to life here
time to bring this story to life here are some still slides from the video you
are some still slides from the video you
are some still slides from the video you can see a young woman in white whose
can see a young woman in white whose
can see a young woman in white whose vibrant before the middle side which is
vibrant before the middle side which is
vibrant before the middle side which is when she starts to show symptoms to the
when she starts to show symptoms to the
when she starts to show symptoms to the upper slide when she’s fully lost in the
upper slide when she’s fully lost in the
upper slide when she’s fully lost in the disease now what happened next is truly
disease now what happened next is truly
disease now what happened next is truly remarkable when we posted our little
remarkable when we posted our little
remarkable when we posted our little passion project on Facebook and YouTube
passion project on Facebook and YouTube
passion project on Facebook and YouTube it was sharing and being viewed at such
it was sharing and being viewed at such
it was sharing and being viewed at such a rapid pace that the live view counter
a rapid pace that the live view counter
a rapid pace that the live view counter could not keep up people were sharing
could not keep up people were sharing
could not keep up people were sharing the
the
the video with their own remember me stories
video with their own remember me stories
video with their own remember me stories about their families their connection to
about their families their connection to
about their families their connection to the disease and a worldwide conversation
the disease and a worldwide conversation
the disease and a worldwide conversation started you can see some of the the
started you can see some of the the
started you can see some of the the press and some of the people sharing
press and some of the people sharing
press and some of the people sharing their pictures of their loved ones with
their pictures of their loved ones with
their pictures of their loved ones with the hashtag remember me right there
the hashtag remember me right there
the hashtag remember me right there in short remember me struck a chord an
in short remember me struck a chord an
in short remember me struck a chord an emotional chord with the community it
emotional chord with the community it
emotional chord with the community it became a coping mechanism for families
became a coping mechanism for families
became a coping mechanism for families and it really did become an anthem of
and it really did become an anthem of
and it really did become an anthem of hope it was very very very powerful to
hope it was very very very powerful to
hope it was very very very powerful to see so now we would love to perform
see so now we would love to perform
see so now we would love to perform remember me for you now for all the
remember me for you now for all the
remember me for you now for all the families dealing with this disease and
families dealing with this disease and
families dealing with this disease and remind them that they will never be
remind them that they will never be
remind them that they will never be forgotten
I need someone to hold – hold on for me
I need someone to hold – hold on for me – what I can’t seem to hold on to the
– what I can’t seem to hold on to the
– what I can’t seem to hold on to the life we used to live is slipping through
life we used to live is slipping through
life we used to live is slipping through my fingertips like a thread that’s
my fingertips like a thread that’s
my fingertips like a thread that’s unraveling
I suppose then nothing’s worth getting
I suppose then nothing’s worth getting and everything is lost in its time
when I can’t find the words that I’m
when I can’t find the words that I’m trying to speak when I don’t know the
trying to speak when I don’t know the
trying to speak when I don’t know the face in the mirror
face in the mirror
face in the mirror I see when I feel I’m forgotten and lost
I see when I feel I’m forgotten and lost
I see when I feel I’m forgotten and lost in this world won’t you please
I know they’ll come a day when I have
I know they’ll come a day when I have gone away and the memory of me will
gone away and the memory of me will
gone away and the memory of me will faint but darling think of me and who I
faint but darling think of me and who I
faint but darling think of me and who I used to be and I’ll be right there with
used to be and I’ll be right there with
used to be and I’ll be right there with you again
I hope I’m one thing worth not
I hope I’m one thing worth not forgetting tell me that you’ll never let
forgetting tell me that you’ll never let
forgetting tell me that you’ll never let me go
when I can’t find the words that I’m
when I can’t find the words that I’m trying to speak when I don’t know the
trying to speak when I don’t know the
trying to speak when I don’t know the face in the mirror
face in the mirror
face in the mirror I see when I feel forgotten and lost in
I see when I feel forgotten and lost in
I see when I feel forgotten and lost in this world
this world
this world won’t you be
I hope I’m one thing worth not
I hope I’m one thing worth not forgetting tell me that you’ll never let
forgetting tell me that you’ll never let
forgetting tell me that you’ll never let me go when I can’t find the words that
me go when I can’t find the words that
me go when I can’t find the words that I’m trying to speak when I don’t know
I’m trying to speak when I don’t know
I’m trying to speak when I don’t know the face in the mirror I see when I feel
the face in the mirror I see when I feel
the face in the mirror I see when I feel that I’ve lost and lo in this world
that I’ve lost and lo in this world
that I’ve lost and lo in this world won’t you please
”
Be First to Comment