Research Assessment #3

Date: Oct, 14, 2017

Subject: Neurology

MLA Citation: Petsko, Gregory. The Coming Neurological Epidemic . TED Talk.

TED2008, Feb. 2008, Monterey, California,

www.ted.com/talks/gregory_petsko_on_the_coming_neurological_epidemic. Lecture

Analysis:

Referencing back to the Career Forecast I completed on Neurology, I found that

there was a current lack of neurologists in health care facilities. In continuation of this
trend, I listened to Gregory Petskos Ted Talk on the rise of neurological diseases. Petsko
presented numerous charts that backed his overarching statement that an globally aging
population would result in the rise of those diagnosed with neurological disorders, such
as Alzheimers or Parkinsons disease. Petsko then goes on to discuss a potential
solution in the works: molecular scotch tape. Finally, to finish his approximately three
minute monologue, Petsko lists ways to avoid contracting a neurological disorder.
Overall, Petskos lecture revealed many new pieces of factual information and raised my
awareness of the urgency of the rise of neurological disorders.

Petsko specifically mentions that there are 32 million people in the United States
over the age of 80. A main component I learned from Petskos lecture is that the rise of
neurological disorders is much more steep than I had perceived before, as half of the 32
million will eventually end up with Alzheimers. Having this in mind, I am now even
more motivated to pursue Neurology as my topic this year in ISM, and I see the
magnitude of the significance of neurologists in the medical world. Compared to the
medical field in general, the field of neurology seems to be partially against longer life
spans due to the fact that a longer lifespan results in an exponentially increased chance
of one contracting a neurological disease. What shocked me the most is the fact that, in
the midst of a situation involving a very bleak outlook for those with neurological
disorders, the exponential increase in these disorders is accompanied by a complete lack
of a permanent cure. Knowing that there is no method of prevention, I am especially
curious to observe how precisely a neurologist offers solutions to a patients condition
when there is no real cure to that patients condition.
 However, with the negative outlook for those with neurological disorders, there
also seems to be a solution on the rise. Petskos mention of a molecular scotch tape
was encouraging to me, as I now know that solutions are currently being developed for
these diseases with no cure. Through Petskos explanation of Alzheimers and its
relation to protein structure, I learned about the true sensitivity of the human brain and
the necessity for early recognition for neurological disorders - one tangle in protein
structure can lead to large sections of the brain being killed. In addition, I realized the
unpredictable nature of these diseases affecting the brain, as they can develop in various
parts. However, as Petsko says, neurological disorders seem to consistently demonstrate
the tangle in protein structure that parallels the tangle found in Alzheimers. I gained
confidence in the ability of neurologists to recognize these disorders and now possess a
more complete understanding of why the diagnosis process for new patients is so long.
By finding similarities between neurological disorders, the molecular scotch tape will
hopefully be able to treat a multitude of neurological disorders. Thus, I learned about
the significance of the principles of biochemistry, specifically protein structure, in the
field of Neurology and the potential of biochemistry to be used to help solve the
runaway train of neurological disorders.

Another integral component of Petskos lecture was his description of the novel
opportunities arising in the field of Neurology. Particularly, Petsko mentions that
people with neurological diseases have a very low incidence of most cancers. Through
this, I learned that even though I may be studying Neurology, I will have the opportunity
to explore far beyond my chosen field. Seeing this overlap between different branches of
the medical field is extremely exciting, as I will also hopefully be able to experience some
level of collaboration with physicians working in other fields of medicine. Although
Petsko states that most people arent pursuing this connection right now, I seek to
research further into this intriguing connection if I pursue Neurology in the future.
However, I do agree with Petskos subtle point that the main focus does need to be on
working towards a solution for the urgent neurological disorders that are rising
exponentially. I learned that, because the brain is essentially connected to every part of
the body, there is an infinite amount of room for establishing associations between the
brain and any body part, disease, function, or system.

All in all, I gained a better understanding of the primary reason why there is a
Neurological Epidemic incoming. I now feel an increased sense of dedication and duty
to studying Neurology in ISM due to the fact that the lack of neurologists will serve to
create many issues in the future for the aging population. Although I will not be able to
directly aid researchers in discovering a solution for certain neurological disorders, I
believe that I am preparing myself for the future. Because of Petskos lecture, I have now
realized that although there may not be a complete cure for neurological disorders, there
are specific solutions and ways to prevent these disorders. Thus, I understand the
crucial nature of always keeping my options open and perspective broad; just as the
researchers discovered, a lack of a cure does not mean that all patients will be left to
suffer chronically.

(Transcript on Page 4 below.)

The Coming Neurological Epidemic

Unless we do something to prevent it, over the next 40 years were facing an epidemic of
neurologic diseases on a global scale. A cheery thought. On this map, every country thats
colored blue has more than 20 percent of its population over the age of 65. This is the world we
live in. And this is the world your children will live in. For 12,000 years, the distribution of ages
in the human population has looked like a pyramid, with the oldest on top. Its already flattening
out. By 2050, its going to be a column and will start to invert. This is why its happening. The
average life spans more than doubled since 1840, and its increasing currently at the rate of
about five hours every day. And this is why thats not entirely a good thing:because over the age
of 65, your risk of getting Alzheimers or Parkinsons disease will increase exponentially. By
2050, therell be about 32 million people in the United States over the age of 80, and unless we
do something about it, half of them will have Alzheimers disease and three million more will
have Parkinsons disease. Right now, those and other neurologic diseases -- for which we have
no cure or prevention -- cost about a third of a trillion dollars a year. It will be well over a trillion
dollars by 2050. Alzheimers disease starts when a protein that should be folded up properly
misfolds into a kind of demented origami. So one approach were taking is to try to design drugs
that function like molecular Scotch tape, to hold the protein into its proper shape. That would
keep it from forming the tangles that seem to kill large sections of the brain when they do.
Interestingly enough, other neurologic disease which affect very different parts of the brain also
show tangles of misfolded protein, which suggests that the approach might be a general one, and
might be used to cure many neurologic diseases, not just Alzheimers disease. Theres also a
fascinating connection to cancer here, because people with neurologic diseases have a very low
incidence of most cancers. And this is a connection that most people arent pursuing right now,
but which were fascinated by. Most of the important and all of the creative work in this area is
being funded by private philanthropies. And theres tremendous scope for additional private
help here,because the government has dropped the ball on much of this, Im afraid. In the
meantime, while were waiting for all these things to happen, heres what you can do for
yourself. If you want to lower your risk of Parkinsons disease, caffeine is protective to some
extent; nobody knows why. Head injuries are bad for you. They lead to Parkinsons disease. And
the Avian Flu is also not a good idea. As far as protecting yourself against Alzheimers disease,
well, it turns out that fish oil has the effect of reducing your risk for Alzheimers disease. You
should also keep your blood pressure down, because chronic high blood pressure is the biggest
single risk factor for Alzheimers disease. Its also the biggest risk factor for glaucoma, which is
just Alzheimers disease of the eye. And of course, when it comes to cognitive effects, "use it or
lose it" applies, so you want to stay mentally stimulated. But hey, youre listening to me. So
youve got that covered. And one final thing. Wish people like me luck, okay? Because the clock
is ticking for all of us. Thank you.