Episode · Freakonomics Radio · 2026-04-17
Books mentioned on 671. Why Has There Been So Little Progress on Alzheimer’s Disease?
One possibility: a leading hypothesis pursued by researchers (and funders) was built on science that now appears to be fraudulent. Stephen Dubner speaks with the scientist and the journalist who blew the whistle.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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Doctored
Doctored by Charles Piller investigates fraud, arrogance, and tragedy within the scientific and medical quest to find a cure for Alzheimer's disease.
Recommended“The book that Charles Piller wrote is called Doctored: Fraud, Arrogance, and Tragedy in the Quest to Cure Alzheimer's.”
Where to get it
Other mentions in this episode (2) — ad reads, self-promotion and passing references, never counted
Own book Doctored
“My name is Charles Piller. I am an investigative journalist with Science Magazine and author of the book Doctored.”
Own book Doctored
“This is detailed in my book and also in the article that I wrote about it. And it was, I think, not that surprising in a way.”