Fragile Science
The history of dementia research is a story of scientific progress stalled and derailed for nearly a century. 120 years ago, psychiatrist Alois Alzheimer made a groundbreaking discovery in the brain of a 55-year-old woman named Auguste Deter. Unfortunately, social and political turmoil would mean that his findings would not be widely understood until the end of the 20th century.
On this episode of The Age of Aging, Terrence Casey and Dr. Jason Karlawish reflect on Alzheimer’s discovery as well as the work of his colleague Oskar Fischer — a scientist on par with if not more consequential than Alzheimer in understanding the neuropathology of dementia — whose work was cut short by antisemitism and Nazi persecution. Together, they uncover how that finding was almost swallowed by the ideologies, politics, and global conflicts of the early 20th century — and the uncomfortable parallels between that time and our current moment.
Inside this episode:
0:48 – The First Case: Terrence Casey introduces the story of Auguste Deter, whose 1901 admission to a Frankfurt asylum would become the foundation of modern Alzheimer’s research.
4:34 – A Disease Without a Name: Why Deter’s symptoms didn’t fit existing diagnoses and how Alzheimer’s early observations challenged assumptions about aging and “senility.”
13:27 – A Revolutionary Idea: In 1911, Alzheimer proposed that “senile” and “presenile” dementia might be the same disease.
17:31 – Science Interrupted: How World War I, economic collapse, and political upheaval derailed progress in dementia research across Europe.
19:10 – The Forgotten Pioneer: How the contributions of Oskar Fischer to dementia research were nearly erased by antisemitism and Nazi persecution.
23:01 – The “Dark Ages” of Dementia: Why much of the 20th century viewed dementia as inevitable aging rather than disease.
30:48 – Lessons for Today: Why scientific progress depends on social, political, and economic stability — and what current global trends could mean for the future of dementia research.
32:41 – Rediscovery and Progress: The late 20th-century revival of Alzheimer’s research, including advances in diagnosis, biomarkers, and treatment.
Resources available on the episode webpage linked below
* Learn more about the life and work of Alois Alzheimer [https://www.alzint.org/about/dementia-facts-figures/types-of-dementia/alzheimers-disease/alois-alzheimer/]
* More information on the story of Alzheimer and Auguste Deter [https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/dr-alzheimer-patient-helped-reveal-devastating-disease] (PBS)
* Read The Problem of Alzheimer's: How Science, Culture, and Politics Turned a Rare Disease into a Crisis and What We Can Do About It [https://www.amazon.com/Problem-Alzheimers-Science-Culture-Politics/dp/125021873X] by Dr. Jason Karlawish
* “Oskar Fischer and the study of dementia,” [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2668940/] by Michel Goedert (National Library of Medicine)
Special thanks this episode to Jason Karlawish, MD.
The Age of Aging is a Penn Memory Center production, hosted by Editorial Director Terrence Casey and Producer Jake Johnson, in partnership with the Penn FTD Center, the Penn Institute on Aging, and Penn’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Contributors include Dalia Elsaid, Jason Karlawish, Emily Largent, and Alison Lynn.
The show is made possible by generous support from the Michael Naidoff Communications Hub Fund.
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Opera Philadelphia presents Viva Verdi!, a documentary that takes audiences inside a retirement community. Built by composer Giuseppe Verdi for musicians in their later years, the film follows opera singers, instrumentalists, and conductors as they continue to perform, mentor, and create, proving that passion doesn't fade with age. A screening will be held at 1:00 PM on May 15th at the Athenaeum of Philadelphia followed by a panel discussion on creative aging featuring Penn Memory Center co-director Dr. Jason Karlawish. Details at operaphila.org. [https://operaphila.org/]
Opera Philadelphia promotional music – “Requiem,” by Giuseppe Verdi.
