The Myth of Alzheimer's: What You Aren't Being Told About Today's Most Dreaded Diagnosis (2008) argues that we should re-evaluate our current approach to dementia. Earlier this month I posted an interview with the book's main author, Dr. Peter Whitehouse (BSP 68). Episode 36 of my Books and Ideas podcast is a follow-up interview with his co-author, Daniel George. As a medical anthropologist George helps put current attitudes into an historical perspective. Labeling large numbers of older people with the diagnosis of "Alzheimer's Disease" is a relatively new practice and a closer examination of how this occurred provides an interesting example of how the history of medicine (and science) is interwoven with political and social history. While Whitehouse and George challenge the current approach to dementia, there message is actually one of hope. I am recommending The Myth of Alzheimer's to people of all ages.

Listen to Episode 36 of Books and Ideas

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References:

Alzheimer's, a Love Story: One Year in My Husband's Journey by Ann Davidson
Self, Senility, and Alzheimer's Disease in Modern America: A History by Jesse F. Ballenger
The Myth of Alzheimer's: What You Aren't Being Told About Today's Most Dreaded Diagnosis by Peter J. Whitehouse and Daniel George
Brain Science Podcast 68: Interview with Dr. Peter Whitehouse

Useful Links:

The Myth of Alzheimer's website: includes a blog and other useful information
Center on Age & Community (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee)
TimeSlips: an innovative program started by theater professor Ann Basting
The Intergenerational School in Cleveland brings elders and children together.

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Brain Science Podcast 68 is an interview with Dr. Peter Whitehouse, co-author (with Daniel George) of The Myth of Alzheimer's: What You Aren't Being Told About Today's Most Dreaded Diagnosis. Alzheimer's Disease originally referred to a relatively rare form of premature dementia, but in recent decades the diagnosis has been expanded to include patients of all ages. This change is not based on science and in this interview we talk about why being labeled with with Alzheimer's may be doing older patients more harm than good. Dr. Whitehouse is one of the pioneering researchers in this field, but advocates devoting resources to helping elders with with a wide range of age-related brain changes. This interview should be of interest to physicians, scientists, as well as patients and their families. I will be posting a supplemental interview with Daniel George, the co-author of The Myth of Alzheimer's later this month. (Learn more at /.)

Listen to Episode 68

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Ginger Campbell, MD

Ginger Campbell, MD

Blog and Podcasts

Ginger Campbell, MD

Podcast Show Notes

Another look a "The Myth of Alzheimer's" (B&I 36)

"The Myth of Alzheimer's" with Dr. Peter Whitehouse (BSP 68)