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How the Alzheimer's Research Scandal Set Back Treatment 16 Years

What is the Alzheimer's research scandal? Learn what neuroscientist Matthew Schrag has to say about possible fraudulent Alzheimer's research from a 2006 study.

Emilie Lucchesi
ByEmilie Le Beau Lucchesi
Credit:Atthapon Raksthaput/Shutterstock

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In 2006, a landmark study in Nature identified a possible cause of Alzheimer’s disease. For almost 16 years, this study influenced how scientists approached Alzheimer’s and how major research grants were given.

But in the summer of 2022, the editors of Nature issued a chilling disclaimer. There was concern regarding the images that accompanied the article. An investigation was underway, and readers were urged to “use caution” when relying on the results.

A whistleblower had come forward and said the images appeared to have been manipulated, meaning the results that guided scientists were possibly wrong.

In the U.S., Alzheimer’s now afflicts more than six million people aged 65 and older. If the accusations are true, it’s possible that inaccurate research was influencing significant research time and money to help these patients.

The study at the center of the controversy was published in 2006 in Nature and co-authored by eight researchers ...

  • Emilie Lucchesi

    Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi

    Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Ph.D., is a freelance journalist who regularly contributes to Discover Magazine. She reports on the social sciences, medical history, and new scientific discoveries.

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