Het begin van het einde: op weg naar de genezing van Alzheimer

by Joseph Jebelli

nan

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Health, Medical, Medicine, Neuroscience, Psychology

320 pages, Paperback

First published October 31, 2017

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

(4.5) Debut author and neuroscientist Joseph Jebelli has a personal stake in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease: his beloved grandfather succumbed to it back in Iran in 2012. With the world’s population aging, it’s expected that by 2050 Alzheimer’s will be the second leading cause of death (after heart disease). What to do in the face of what Jebelli calls a “global and inescapable epidemic”? You might expect a book like this to be depressing, but instead it is reassuring to see how our understanding of dementia and the genetics of diseases has advanced in the last century and just how many research avenues are open and promising. Jebelli’s writing style is comparable to that of Siddhartha Mukherjee, Ed Yong and Atul Gawande. His prose is perhaps not quite as lively and literary as theirs, but he conveys scientific facts in a clear way the layman can understand; in addition, he balances history and research with a personal story readers can relate to.

See my full review at BookBrowse. (See also my article on Alzheimer’s facts.)

I won a copy in a Goodreads giveaway.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you think of diseases that kill people cancer and heart disease would most top peoples list, but with the population in the western world getting older, other illnesses are having an effect on mortality rates and people’s quality of life. One of the most significant is Alzheimer's and dementia, a cruel disease that leaves the shell of the person whilst stealing their personality, dignity and their memories. The first time that Joseph Jebelli came across this illness was when he was twelve years old and his grandfather started doing strange things and becoming ‘indefinably peculiar’; Gone was the warm person he had known. This family tragedy became a pivotal point in his life and drove him to pursue a career in science researching the very disease that claimed his grandfather.

I felt totally alone, with the world receding away from me in every direction, and you could have used my anger to weld steel – Sir Terry Pratchett

Jebelli is now an established expert in the field of Alzheimer's research and in this interesting and informative book he sets about describing the background with Alois Alzheimer's discovery of the illness in 1906 all the way up to the current understanding of the science behind this distressing disease. Travelling all over the world he talks to the people at the cutting edge in laboratories about the latest avenues of research as they race to find a cure. He takes time to talk to sufferers and their families gaining a heartfelt understanding of the anguish they go through every day. It is a clear and well-written exploration of the different efforts that encompass research into Alzheimer's. There is a small amount on Sir Terry Pratchett, who was sadly one of those to get early onset Alzheimer's, or his embuggerance as he called it. He donated a fairly hefty sum of money to enable research, but more importantly, he spoke about his illness and spent time raising awareness of it. Jebelli writes about a difficult and personal subject in a way that brings clarity to the dark world that is Alzheimer's, I can highly recommend this book. 4.5 stars

[Moonkiszt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Jebelli has written a readable, personal and academic book that is understandable and left me thinking, and honestly rather terrified. I'm of the age where loss of memory (a word now and again, why I left what I was doing and am now standing blankly in the garage, losing hold on the thread of a story in the middle of its telling) begins to knock a person down, and that is the primary reason I slipped this on to my TBR shelf. Still, it didn't make it any easier to open and begin to read. And once reading commenced didn't make it any easier to not slam it shut and throw it over the fence. (ok. I've never done that. the temptation, however, is real.)

The author's first contact with this disease is in his own life, with his own grandfather. As a beloved grandson, he notices when things begin to change, and the dynamics between these two morphed into something only the grandson realized was different. From there, the journey grew into a life quest for the boy who became Dr. Jebelli, whose quest to find out more about Alzheimer's disease has proved him a world-changer, and has put him on the path that crosses daily with brave patients, and their families and advocates.

A sobering read, worrying, but sprinkled with a determined kind of hope, nonetheless.

[Amy Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic book full of history on the disease and things we can hope for, like a cure. Having a grandmother who had Dementia through my late teen years I wound up babysitting her and reminding her who I was all too often. Now I have a future mother in law with it and she is very stubborn. My fiancé says I have helped them both so much but I hate witnessing what they both go through.

This book gives you ideas for situations you may be in and an idea of progression- although everyone is different. It also offers reasons for a cure. This disease to me is plain evil! You start grieving a loved one while they are still alive.

Highly recommend if you are interested in the history of this disease or have a loved one with Alzheimer's.


Won this book through Goodreads Giveaways and wanted (was not asked) to offer a fair and honest review.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book through GoodReads' "First Reads" in exchange for a review.

Firstly, there is a very important topic for me. My great grandmother had Alzheimer's, as well as numerous others that I've gotten to know throughout my lifetime. One of the biggest things I often think about, and worry about, is the loss of my 'brain' in a working capacity, the memories, how to function, how to think, how to rationalize, philosophize, etc. Ever since seeing my great grandmother decay, visiting her two-three times a week at the home with my Grammy.... it's always been one of my biggest fears and concerns.

So this book was definitely of great interest to me, an Joseph Jebelli does an amazing job of showing both the scientific and the emotional side of things. As a relative of a patient he sympathizes greatly with those he's interviewed and those involved in the patient side of things. There is just so much to this disease, more than just the common thought of 'lost memories'. This is definitely a disease that needs to be eradicated now... like yesterday... like thirty years ago now.

Jebelli does a good job of explaining the scientific jargon without over-explaining and dumbing down, also without exaggerating the illness, and just spelling it out exactly as it is, in all of it's various forms. The writing style is simple, easy flowing, and personable.

A definite recommend for anyone with any kind of interest in the disease.

[Natalie S · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are currently staring down the barrel of an epidemic with respect to the aging disorders Alzheimer’s and dementia. Human beings are living longer and these diseases have increased to the point where it will soon be our leading cause of death, overtaking things like cancer and heart disease. There are claims that one in three of us will develop Alzheimer’s and that one in two people will care for someone with it. These claims are confirmation that books like Joseph Jebelli’s In Pursuit of Memory are an important part of the conversation and it’s one that should be required reading by all.

To read the rest of this review please visit: http://magazine.100percentrock.com/re...

[Darryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This excellent book by a young British neuroscientist explores the history of Alzheimer's disease, dating from its discovery by a German psychiatrist over a century ago, and examines the promising multifaceted research currently taking place in the UK and the rest of the world in order to provide treatments or cures for this dreaded and ever more prevalent disorder. Stories of people with Alzheimer's are also included, particularly the one involving the demise of the author's paternal grandfather, which provide human faces to the disease. "In Pursuit of Memory" is accessible to both the lay reader and to scientists and clinicians, and is a very well written and compelling book that offers hope to those of us at risk for developing this crippling dementia.

[Sarah Letang · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book for really anyone to read that has an interest in the disease - whether educationally or for personal matters.

I felt the book provided an easier understanding as to why AD is so confusing to researchers, what has been studied and found, where progress still needs to be made, and what is holding us back on that progress. This book was very helpful for me personally as I begin my dissertation on AD. Have only a background in the neuropsych of AD, this book helped me further understand more of the history and biological/chemistry science behind it without it being too dense or textbookish to help me further determine areas of interest to study.

This book has also helped me with more personal matters of AD as my family struggles to understand if my grandmother is suffering from AD or some other neuro cognitive impairment. AD and dementia are often used interchangeably, and that shouldn’t be the case. There are several types of dementia, but AD is often used to label them. Although I personally had a firm grasp of understanding these differences, it still provided more detail on AD symptoms that anyone could benefit from knowing and how it can be so hard to determine what someone really has.

[Christina Dudley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book unputdownable, and I've read plenty of Alzheimer's and brain books. Jebelli writes engagingly and with sympathy, tracing the history of the disease's discovery, its certain and possible causes, and its possible avenues toward a cure. Although it's too late for my mother-in-law, it made me want alternately want to give her a blood transfusion from a young person, hit her with a round of cancer drugs, and prepare some curry dishes for her to eat. Who cares if the human trials were nonexistent or inconclusive at this point--could it possibly hurt? And if, by 2050, 135 million people worldwide will be sufferers, I'm all for throwing the spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks. (Not that this book isn't full of lots of good, solid science.)

A great read, and a hopeful one, too, if you don't think too hard about the 135 million people who will require 135 million caregivers.

Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read this excellent book.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of interesting and probably accurate information about the history of and research about Alzheimer's. One obvious error made this a 4 rather than 5 star book for me. (The author asserts that Kurt Vonnegut got the idea for Ice 9 in Cat's Cradle from Stanley Prusiner's discover and description of prions. Cat's Cradle was first published in 1963. Prusiner described and named prions in 1982.)

My mother had dementia which was probably Alzheimer's so I hoped to learn that an effective treatment is close. No such luck. Still, the author does share information on some of the paths that researchers are following to search for treatments. Alzheimer's is a huge problem. So many people could benefit from a drug that slowed progress of this devastating disease. More effort (money) should go into Alzheimer's research.

[Sid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joseph J, the author, demonstrated an extremely thoroughly researched and easy to read style of writing. My favorite quote from the book, The idea is to die young as late as possible.

The disease is caused by a gene mutation. Certain countries are less prone to Alzheimer's, incl. India, Iceland and Nigeria. Certain families and countries are more prone to the disease, Columbia. Nature "loads the gun," lifestyle can "pull the trigger."

Certain lifestyle traits can lower the likelihood of getting the disease:
1. Foods that include tumeric can reduce plaques, however, the substance doesn't stay in the blood stream long enough to make a lasting difference.
2. Running or intense cardio can prevent plaque build-up in the brain.
3. Engaging in lively discussions, thinking critically, avoiding passive activities also help keep the mind stimulated.

[Kathy Heare Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

In pursuit of Memory: The Fight Against Alzheimer's is an in-depth look into study and research of this devastating disease with no cure. More and more, families have been affected by this diagnoses and loved ones learning about dementia and Alzheimer's.

The book is broken down into five parts:

1. Origins
2. Research
3. Prevention
4. Experimentation
5. Discovery

I won a copy of this book during a Goodreads giveaway. I am under no obligation to leave a review or rating and do so voluntarily. I am paying it forward by passing this book along to my father to read as he copes with the effects of dementia in my mother. I am in hope that he can gain some insight to aid them both.

[Anna Morgenstern · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so fascinating, I had to binge-listen to the entire approximate 8-hour audiobook (sleeping is for losers).
In a thorough investigation of the disease, its manifestation, where it came from, and, most importantly, how or where to find medications the author travels around the world in search of an answer, as so much about the brain and its afflictions are unknown.
There is so much to learn from this book and yet it is done in a way so accessible to the reader, never condescending or talking above the readers' heads, so don't be put off by the difficult subject.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Someone I love has Alzheimer's disease, and it is usually too painful for me to read books or watch movies about the condition.

However, after hearing an interview about this book on Fresh Air, I found it and read it in a day and a half.

I found it both overwhelmingly well-researched, it's obvious the author has credibility on the subject, but the balance of this with the interviews with patients and his own reflections were poignant and painful. Very well-done.

[Deepa Krishnan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book. I think it is important to know what’s happening in the world of Alzheimer’s research, given how rampant it is. This is a great sequel to the other book on Alzheimer’s that I had read earlier in the year which was about a proven way to combat Alzheimer’s. Thankfully the authors say the same thing - the disease can’t be cured with a single pill but continued research should give us all hope. Fantastic end to the end of the year for me as it relates to books. I am glad to have ended the year with this book.

[dootz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very interesting, informative, and easy to read book. Not an easy task for such a heavy and terrifying topic. Best part, it provides some hope in the end.

[Danielle Gunkel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and engaging for a rather medically technical topic. Jebelli provides a deep summary of Alzheimer's - its history, disease progression, impact, and research - using the stories of real people.

[Shauna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent book, which I demolished in two days. It was that readable! It's a keeper - I am certain I will refer back to it many times. Jebelli (a neurobiologist) writes in accessible prose and isn't afraid to get personal - he shares vignettes about families contending with dementia and updates us on their progress later in the book.

Alzheimer's disease is the next pandemic. Despite that, spending on research is pitiful. While there are no truly effective drugs or treatments, Jebelli describes those that hold promise. He emphasizes that every blind alley points us to what's at the root of the disease. For example, it seems we are on the brink of understanding whether the beta-amyloid cascade causes disease or is a symptom of it. Plaques of this protein often herald the tipping point. Still, antibodies for reducing beta-amyloid haven't fulfilled their promise (the latest being aducanumab), but this could be a "too little, too late" issue. Early detection is key and Jebelli mentions how, here, science is accelerating at an exponential rate. We are on the cusp of detecting signs of imminent disease in our blood, hair, or even tears - not to mention retinal scans. If that can be done in an individual's thirties, say, there is time for meaningful intervention. And with the advent of CRISPR technology, gene-editing is not a crazy idea. One day, it is feasible that we could switch out point mutations that cause early onset.

In researching and writing his book, Jebelli has explored the range of possibilities. And this gives me hope: "There is no single path, no one idea to pursue indefinitely. The march of each idea provided the footing for another. And only when enough ideas converge shall we ever reach the summit."

He predicts that there will be a viable intervention for the next generation. To keep the disease at bay, rather like we do for diabetes today. In the meantime, it's plain smart to keep fit and stay intellectually and socially engaged. Why not? However, the book seems to say that we cannot expect people to single-handedly avoid getting Alzheimer's disease. Jebelli's grandfather, who "did everything right," inexplicably got the disease in his mid-seventies. Genetics play a big role, one that science is still unearthing. Mutations like APP and PSEN1, if inherited, will absolutely bring about early onset. APOE4, a gene variant, will tilt the odds towards getting dementia. So, research is imperative - to understand what's cause, what's effect, and why, so often, it's the hippocampus that goes first. He had a fascinating chapter on prions (mishappen proteins that behave like infectious agents) and I couldn't help but wonder if they play a role in the later stages of the disease, once the tau tangles start to appear.

The book left me with more questions than answers but it's curiosity that will save us. As a caregiver, it is easy to resign oneself to thinking that it's just something we'll have to endure - let's just get busy finding ways to keep people with dementia safe, comfortable and engaged. Yes, let's! But, better yet, let's fully understand memory and how best to preserve it throughout our lifetimes.

[Jood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here's a frightening thought:

“.....Globally, there's a new diagnosis every four seconds, and even that's a conservative estimate. In England,for example, it's thought that only 48 per cent of people with dementia receive a diagnosis. The remaining 52 percent may be people whose symptoms are mistaken for something else – like stress, the side effects of medication, normal ageing – or elderly people who live on their own.”

I have a personal interest in reading as much as I can about dementia as my mother is one of the 800,000+ people annually diagnosed in the UK alone. I have to accept that I, or other members of my family, may one day suffer from it.

This is one of the most enlightening, readable and interesting books I've read on the subject; it deals more specifically with Alzheimer's which is just one form of dementia, rather than dementia as a whole. How many of us knew that there are different forms of Alzheimer's? How many of us knew there is a link between Down's syndrome and Alzheimer's, or a treatment for cancer and Alzheimer's? I certainly didn't.

There are so many questions about this disease: could a transfusion of young blood into an elderly body have a beneficial effect? Can you catch the disease? Is there a gene responsible for it? Why do Icelanders not suffer from it? And so on, and on. The answers are as intriguing as the questions.

I have recently completed a course in Dementia Care, simply for my own interest, and in order to help better understand, and help care for my mum To say the a person “suffers” when speaking of dementia and its various forms often sounds strange to me, as it is a disease which affects everyone around that person, who can be unaware of what's happening. It is indeed a cruel disease.

The fact the the UK government, thanks to the Chief Medical Officer, one Sally Davies, as recently as 2014, decided not only to NOT follow certain recommendations with regard to using particular disinfectants in hospitals, but to reject out of hand requests for funding blood samples is not only irresponsible but outrageous. Apparently the government had “limited budgets for healthcare, public health and research.......”

Joseph Jebelli, whose grandfather suffered from Alzheimer's felt compelled, from an early age, to research this dreadful disease; he writes with authority and passion making this a fascinating book with many anecdotal stories whilst being stuffed full of the science of research. My personal thanks and admiration go to the unsung heroes who dedicate their careers to solving the riddle of Alzheimer's.

Thanks to Amazon for a complimentary copy to review

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books on Alzheimer's disease that I have read. It combines interviews with Alzheimer's patients and their families with a comprehensive history of research on the disease from ancient times to 2016. I am a retired neurologist with early stage Alzheimer;s disease. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in the disease but especially to those with Alzheimer's disease who are still able to read. From both of my personal perspectives I found it to be fascinating as well as hopeful.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating read about the research into Alzheimer's.

[Vinod Peris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have watched the toll that Alzheimers took on my Dad and can personally relate to a lot that is in this book. It is for this very reason that as soon as I read the review in the Wall Street Journal, I knew I had to check out this book. The author Joseph Jebelli watched his beloved grandfather suffer with alzheimers and  deteriorate right in front of his eyes. This motivated him to become a neuroscientist and study Alzheimer's. In this well written book he lays out for us all the things that he has learned about including the history of the disease, the common symptoms and the recent discoveries and theories about what causes alzheimer’s. 

It seems like alzheimers is much more prevalent now and I am wondering if it is simply because people are living longer. I knew that very little was known about this disease when my Dad suffered through it and I was pleasantly surprised to read about the progress that has been made over the last several years on this very important malaise that is likely to afflict many of us. 

Mr. Jebelli starts out by explaining how one of the well established pieces of evidence pointing to alzheimers is the accumulation of plaque around the brain. He explains how beta amyloid peptides ultimately result in the formation of this plaque. It is still not clear how these accumulate and there are various theories on whether it is the root cause or a side effect of alzheimer’s. The proponents of the theory that plaque is the root cause of Alzheimers are called BAPtists, where BAP=beta amyloid plaque.  Apolipoprotein E (APoE) is a class of proteins involved in the metabolism of fats in the body.  It is the principal cholesterol carrier in the brain and is essential for healthy metabolism of cholesterol and triglycerides. They bind lipids to form water soluble compounds that can be transported through our circulatory system. In humans APoE come in three common isoforms, APoE2, APoE3 and APoE4. The APoE4 gene is associated with an increased risk for Alzheimers, however there are several environmental factors that also play a part in activating this condition.

A more recent theory for Alzheimer’s is associated with the microtubule-associated protein tau. According to this theory, the accumulation of these tau proteins result in hyperpohsphorylated tangles that undergo a degeneration resulting in lesions.  The proponents of this theory are called Tau-ists. There is an active debate on whether the Tau-ists or the BAPtist theory is the root cause or one is a result of the other. More recently there are studies that are trying to find a common ground between the two camps. 

Mr. Jebelli highlights the many near successes that researchers have had in this field, but then reminds us that some things that work well in mice, don’t work quite as well in human beings. The chapter about taking a piece of someone’s skin, and using it to grow neurons in a Petri dish is surreal. He also has the story about Shinya Yamanaka’s persistence that made this technique possible. 

One interesting genetic twist that has recently been discovered is the inverse correlation of alzheimers and cancer genes. Simply put, people who get Alzheimer’s have a lower risk of getting cancer and people with cancer are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s. 

I recently read a book on the importance of sleep and how we are getting less and less of it these days with all the distractions from binge watching to checking Facebook on your cell-phone. There has been a strong correlation between lack of sleep and alzheimer’s and it is conceivable that people are getting less sleep in modern times. Finally, Dr. Jebelli writes that  there is a strong connection between our olfactory capabilities and Alzheimer’s. I do recall that my Dad lost his sense of smell way before he exhibited the first symptoms of Alzheimers. At the time, we thought it was because of the nasal drops that he used to routinely use. Now, I think differently.

I am sure many of the findings in this book will have to be revised in the next decade. But then again, your brain may not quite be the same in the next decade. So read this quickly, while you still can!

[P K · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this book up because I’m starting some research projects on AD as part of my new job, and wanted a broad history of our understanding of the disease. The author travels widely to visit both researchers in AD, as well as patients and their family members affected by the disease. As such, the book alternates between discussion of the science of AD, and the experience of AD. The science portions cover both previous landmark breakthroughs (most of them from the very beginnings of our discovery of the disease) as well as hot ongoing research in the field. The personal stories include Jebelli’s own stories about his grandfather’s deteriorating mind as he succumbed to AD, which seems like a driving force for Jebelli’s own research career. The science portions were the most interesting to me personally. I think Jebelli did a good job identifying exciting new areas of research and discussing them accessibly. Even as a researcher in this field (albeit a brand new one) I had not read about several of these approaches (e.g de-differentiating a person’s own skin cells to create stem cells to treat their AD, repurposed cancer drugs). I also found the section on occipital AD very interesting, as I had never heard of that condition before.
However, I also have a major criticism of the book. Jebelli is a scientist working in this field. In fact, reviews of this book paint him as a pioneer in the field, despite the fact that he is extremely young, and from my literature search has not made any landmark discoveries yet, as you would expect for someone who finished his PhD a small handful of years before writing this book. I’m not even sure if he is currently employed at a research institution because I could not find a professional page for him. The discussion of the science of this book, while broad and interesting, comes off as quite naïve in several portions (e.g failing to see that CRISPR technologies probably won’t lead to a useful AD treatment in adults because you’d have to individually access and edit every individual cell, failing to address that if a community has very low rates of AD but the individuals of that community rarely live past 60 that it’s probably not very interesting that none of them have AD). Additionally, he seems to subscribe to the amyloid-beta theory of AD, which has been pretty much discarded by AD researchers for many years now for several compelling reasons (see link below for great article about this topic). Lastly, for me personally, I found the ratio of science to personal anecdote too small.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, that was more than I bargained for. Even if you don't find yourself very interested in the subject, this covers a broad swathe of topics like blood transfusions, real life Tony Starks, villages of people with Alzheimer's, and a hopeful analysis of the core mystery at the center of Alzheimer's Disease—that of beta-amyloid. It's a relentlessly mind-expanding read.

In the brains of people with Alzheimer's, plaques and tangles are formed, the plaques which seemed to interrupt the highways of neurons and leave deposits of beta-amyloid, which typically acts as a gateway to what goes in or out of a neuron. But what happens when there's too much of it? Could this be the cause? What about the plaques that form inside of neurons?

If popular science is meant to invoke wonder in the layperson, then this gives as many leads to follow as the veins in a butterfly wing. Since the book was written five years ago as of this review and likely more as of you reading this, you might be inspired to write down and search for each study, especially the more bizarre ones like blood transfusion. A more grounded experiment on the drug crenezumab just ended a few weeks ago, testing the drug which had anti-amyloid properties on younger people with Alzheimer's genes. Perhaps they will try it again with a larger dose as one bright commenter suggested.

Since Alzheimer's can be pursued from all angles, there may not be one "cure," but a variety of approaches. Will it be genetic modification, lifelong geographic adjustments, drugs that target plaques, tangles, nearly invisible super-proteins? All of these are potential outcomes but it seems that Jebelli makes a case for greater funding for the cure as it will affect one out of three people and cost society more money than even cancer does in future.

However, Joseph Jebelli, in a chapter where he travels to Columbia, redirects his anger and siphons off his wonder in an outburst against FARC and in praise of far-right president (2002-2010) Alvaro Uribe for bolstering the economy by opening it up to free-trade. He praises him for fending off FARC and opening the borders for scientists to study again. Which is undeniably good, but the anger at FARC seems completely rooted in their collateral disruption of science. As if to further illustrate their barbarism he mentions—in em-dash—"Uribe's own father was killed by FARC"—also undeniably bad but why is this detail necessary? (Look up "Uribe false positive.")

In fact, Columbia just elected a former member of FARC last month. One premised on a greater extension of healthcare—something that Jebelli implicitly argues for within the same section of the chapter that he praises an opponent to this policy.

A few paragraphs later in a conversation with a Columbian about a young AD patient we hear this bit of everyday pointed banter.

"When I asked Madrigal if these families were getting any extra help from the government, she laughed.

'No,' she said. 'Welcome to Latin America.' "

My theory is that he heard about how bad things were from his cohorts in the book and didn't bother to do his own research, or want to disappoint them. Or maybe he's just a conservative. Why are scientists like this?

At least in the overwhelming amount of text that Jebelli stays in his lane as a science writer, the book is wonderful. He's got an easy prose with exciting variety, and even quotes classic literature at the beginning of each chapter. We get it, you enjoyed your literature class, but in fact I enjoy his appreciation of the arts. This certainly helps with his everyday descriptive powers and focus on human interaction.

Within these conversations new branches of material are pivoted with proper versatility and depth, as in the best investigative journalism. The book has been compared to works from Atul Gawande and Siddhartha Mukherjee, and despite its subject most obviously relevant to seniors, it really has the rapacious greed and speed of authors like Michio Kaku. Just fantastic. Maybe my expectations are too high for scientists to more politically engage with their fields, but if he really believes purpose in life is to help others then perhaps he could do more or less to compartmentalize these two variables.

[Gonçalo Gato · Rating 5 out of 5]

A obra "Em Busca da Memória: A Luta Contra a Doença de Alzheimer" é um livro escrito pelo neurocientista Joseph Jebelli, que explora a história, a ciência e os desafios em torno da doença de Alzheimer. Combinando narrativas pessoais com investigações científicas, Jebelli dá uma visão abrangente sobre a doença.
O livro começa por explicar as origens e os primeiros casos documentados de Alzheimer, destacando o trabalho de Alois Alzheimer, que descreveu pela primeira vez a doença em 1906. Ao longo da obra, são explorados os aspectos científicos da doença, como as placas de senis e os emaranhados neurofibrilares, que são características físicas do Alzheimer no cérebro.
Além do percurso da investigação científica, Jebelli também partilha histórias emocionantes de pacientes e das suas famílias, mostrando o impacto devastador da doença nas suas vidas. O autor discute as diferentes abordagens terapêuticas, desde os medicamentos que tentam retardar a progressão da doença até às novas investigações que exploram potenciais curas.
Jebelli, cujo avô também sofreu de Alzheimer, aborda a questão de uma forma pessoal, o que adiciona uma camada de humanidade e proximidade a esta obra. Ele também explora as investigações em curso e as esperanças para o futuro, sugerindo que, embora ainda não exista uma cura, os avanços na ciência e na medicina oferecem esperança de que um dia poderemos entender e talvez até erradicar a doença.
Em resumo, "Em Busca da Memória" é uma leitura informativa e comovente, que proporciona uma compreensão profunda sobre a doença, assim como os ensaios e investigações mais atuais.

[Ben Zimmerman · Rating 2 out of 5]

In Pursuit of Memory takes us on a path connecting narratives of the history of Alzheimer's research, current research being conducted, and stories of personal interactions with the disease. I know a little bit about Alzheimer's disease, and I felt that the book did a pretty good job covering most of the big lines of current research. However, I felt that Jebelli didn't do a great job of bringing things together. Small areas of research, with new or scant evidence, were given similar amounts of time to some bigger and more promising areas of research. I often was left feeling like I was getting Jebelli's opinions about Alzheimer's rather than a sense of the field as a whole, but it was never really clear to me what led Jebelli to those opinions. Does he do research on Alzheimer's himself? Did a particular argument win him over? Were some of the people he interviewed just a lot more charismatic? It's very unclear to me.

Also, I could do with a lot more science and less anecdote, but that is more because of my personal preferences. I think that the strongest part of the book was the early history of research in the disease.

Overall, it was an okay pop-science book about Alzheimer's disease, but I kept finding myself wishing that a much older, battered veteran of Alzheimer's science that had devoted his whole life to understanding the disease had written the book. I hope that the publication of this book does not deter that type of researcher from considering writing their own version.

[Pam Coon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a history of Alzheimer's and a chronicle of the race to its cure. This book was shortlisted for the Royal society Science Book Prize of 2017. It's a worthwhile read chronicling the history and pursuit of a cure for what is considered now the great global epidemic of our time (the leading cause of death in Great Britain, and affecting 1/3 of our aging population). This is not a depressing read. It is an informative and fascinating book. The author's grandfather had Alzheimers which prompted him to find out as much as possible about this disease. In Pursuit of Memory reads a little like a detective novel, the author traveling to all kinds of places to New Guinea, Japan, India, China, Iceland and Columbia. You learn about the brave patients and families who were willing to talk with him about their familial ties with the disease, in many cases people facing certain diagnosis because of their ancestral markers. Basically, this is a hopeful book, and the reader will find out about the many investigations ongoing to find a cure. You have to marvel at the science going on as we live now, and at the author, ever-hopeful, that within 10 years we may have a cure.

[Bonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jebelli does an excellent job of summarizing the history, the research, the physiology, etc. of that elusive disease called Alzheimer's. In the studies, Alzheimer's is not actually considered a disease but a process. Every brain ages, every brain shows some of the "components" believed to be associated with Alzheimers- dying brain cells, plaques, tangles. Why do some brains progress to dementia; others showing the same components do not.

The brain is the most complicated part of our bodies. Scientists search and search for just how to all the pieces fit together - work together - or fail. Jebelli points out that there are and can be many paths to uncovering the causes of Alzheimers. The roles of all the brain parts, the purpose of all the known elements - plaque, tangles- of Alzheimer's - must be defined and ordered.

There is much in this book to comprehend; much beyond the understanding of a lay person merely seeking some understanding of Alzheimers and hoping before they reach the age of concern that there will be a cure. First, there has to be a cause.

[Noelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

My review is a little biased, since it took me months to finish this book after many “read for an hour, put it down for three weeks” cycles.

This book did what any good medical science book does: it put me in awe of the scientific process and it’s heroes; made me acutely aware of science’s scope, strengths, and weaknesses; and reignited my ever-deepening desire to join the ranks of those who contribute. I loved the book’s focus on research, citing actual studies, methods, proteins, and genes. I also appreciated the diversity of studies that were mentioned, ranging from clinical trials, to drug development, population studies, and lifestyle adjustments. The organization was a little hard to follow (again, probably because I went so long between periods of reading, and probably because of the sheer mass of ideas that are mentioned), but the author himself acknowledges that in the Coda chapter.

Overall, it was a solid read, and it’s something I’ll definitely need to read again to appreciate.

[Linda Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since a member of my family has dementia, I have read several books on the disease and have several more to go. This book, In Pursuit of Memory, is one of the better books I've read, although they all have satisfactorily contributed to my knowledge of the disease and/or of caretaker concerns. This book has a copyright of 2017 and so the most recently approved medications for dementia were still being tested when the book was published.

The book is divided into five parts: Origins, Research, Prevention, Experimentation, and Discovery. Each is covered in great depth but still clear enough for a lay person to understand. The book makes clear how complicated the disease is and, no surprise, how important it is for greater research funding in the US, UK, etc., especially considering the social and financial impact this disease has, an impact that extends beyond just the families dealing with dementia.

I strongly recommend this book for individuals interested in reading about dementia.