2026-05-08
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Today I want to talk about a really fascinating man called Doug Whitney.
He has a gene which causes early-onset Alzheimer's.
It strikes from around the mid-40s, but he's 76 now.
Has no memory problems, no other symptoms of Alzheimer's.
Other members of his family very sadly have died, but Doug is immune.
And scientists have spent years putting him through dozens of different tests to try and find his secret in the hope
that it might lead to the discovery of preventative strategies or treatments for Alzheimer's.
And for a while, scientists tried to look at genetic protective factors that he might have.
But now we seem to have an answer.
From New Scientist, this is the world, the universe and us.
I'm Dr Rowan Hooper, joined today by Alice Klein.