The Alzheimer's research controversies exposed serious problems with the amyloid theory and highlighted the need for a Precision Medicine approach that investigates the underlying causes of cognitive decline.
Is Alzheimer’s disease simply a drug deficiency, or does it reflect a systems breakdown in the brain? For decades, research focused on finding a single molecule to target, but results have fallen short. At The Carroll Institute, we believe that understanding the interconnected systems of metabolism, inflammation, sleep, and more is crucial. When multiple systems struggle, cognitive decline can occur. This comprehensive approach offers hope for patients and families, revealing that there may be many opportunities for intervention. Discover how a systems-based evaluation can change the conversation around Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive health.
Drugs like lecanemab and donanemab successfully remove amyloid from the brain, yet they do not restore lost memory or reverse Alzheimer's disease. Patients generally continue to decline, although at a somewhat slower rate. That raises an important question: If amyloid is truly the primary cause of Alzheimer's disease, why doesn't removing it produce dramatically greater improvement? At the Carroll Institute, we believe amyloid may be part of the story, but not the whole story. The brain is influenced by inflammation, metabolism, sleep, hormones, toxins, vascular health, and neural network function.
After decades of Alzheimer's research and billions of dollars in funding, many families still ask the same question: Why don't we have a meaningful cure? One reason may be that much of Alzheimer's research focused heavily on a single target—amyloid plaque. While reducing amyloid has produced important scientific insights, the real-world improvements often fell short of what patients and families hoped for.
