Home / Series / The Nature of Things / Aired Order / Season 41 / Episode 7

Amanda's Choice/Early-Onset Alzheimer's Disease

Amanda's family is a carrier for a rare early-onset gene that triggers Alzheimer. It's a disease we normally associate with the elderly. In Alzheimer's, specific proteins bind to form plaque in the brain, resulting in memory loss and physical impairment. Eventually patients die from complications. A few years ago a research team at the University of Toronto isolated the specific gene associated with early-onset Alzheimer. As well, new Alzheimer drugs like Araset, trial vaccines, and improved diagnostic techniques offer new hope for patients. However, doctors are still many years away from finding a cure. Tonight we follow Amanda's powerful story as she struggles to come to terms with her family's deadly inheritance.

English
  • Originally Aired January 10, 2001
  • Runtime 45 minutes
  • Network CBC
  • Created September 18, 2017 by
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  • Modified September 18, 2017 by
    Administrator admin