Millions grapple with the devastating reality of Alzheimer’s disease, a condition projected to become a trillion-dollar crisis by 2050. Families face immense suffering, and the promise of effective treatments remains elusive. In his groundbreaking book, Doctored, investigative journalist Charles Piller exposes a disturbing truth: the search for an Alzheimer’s cure may have been fundamentally compromised, steered down a false path by fraudulent research, regulatory failures, and the unchecked ambitions of pharmaceutical giants.
Piller’s investigation begins with a crucial whistleblower, Vanderbilt University’s Professor Matthew Schrag. Schrag’s meticulous work unearthed a significant scandal, revealing that pivotal data, central to the prevailing hypothesis about Alzheimer’s, appeared to be fabricated. This data originated from a University of Minnesota laboratory, headed by a seemingly brilliant young scientist and a director once considered for a Nobel Prize. The revelations stemming from Schrag’s findings sent shockwaves through the scientific community and ignited public alarm.
Expanding on Schrag’s initial discoveries, Doctored unveils a pervasive network of deception, reaching as high as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Drawing upon years of in-depth reporting, Piller presents compelling evidence suggesting that hundreds of influential Alzheimer’s research papers are built upon foundations of falsified data. This “seminal account of deceit,” as described by Katherine Eban, author of Bottle of Lies, illuminates the profound consequences of compromised scientific integrity. The book meticulously details how, despite the overwhelming influence of money and power, a dedicated group of scientific dissenters has emerged to challenge the established authorities within the field. Their fight is waged in the name of scientific rigor and for the countless patients who have unknowingly participated in clinical trials testing potentially ineffective and “Doctored” drugs.
Doctored is more than just an exposé on Alzheimer’s research; it is a stark warning about the vulnerabilities within scientific research, funding mechanisms, and regulatory oversight across the board. It is a crucial read for anyone concerned about the integrity of scientific progress and the well-being of those affected by devastating diseases.
