Decoding Darkness: The Search for the Genetic Causes of Alzheimer's Disease

by Rudolph E. Tanzi and Ann B. Parson

Book Overview

Working from the intriguing hypothesis that Alzheimer's dementia is the result of a renegade protein-beta amyloid-Tanzi and others set out to find the gene responsible for its production. Decoding... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0738201952
• ISBN13: 9780738201955
• Release Date: October 2000
• Publisher: Basic Books (AZ)
• Length: 281 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.4" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

As exciting as science gets!

Tanzi and Parsons have written the best science-hunt book since The Double Helix. Tanzi's adult life has clearly been dedicated to the search for the causes of Alzheimer's disease, and his single-minded drive comes through in every page. It is fascinating to learn how passion rules not just art and performance professions, but also (perhaps even to a greater degree) scientific research. The fun, excitement and committment of Tanzi and his colleagues in their pursuit of this disease is related with candor and vividness, and is truly accessible to the lay audience. Tanzi and Parsons have successfully spanned both art (music), philosophy (taoism) and science (genetics) with admirable elan. The book has its biases, but the authors do not hide the autobiographical nature of the narrative. Science might also be written by the victors, and Tanzi and his brilliant team of scientists deserve to record their history, since their contributions have changed the world we live in. The book ends with a vision that this previously hopeless disease will be conquered within our lifetimes. This is a fascinating, and exhilirating perpective. I recommend this book to all science readers with great enthusiasm.

Probably the best book on Alzheimer's research !

This is an excellent book on Alzheimer's research. It covers almost all aspects of interest in the field including genetics, molecular biology, drug discovery and clinical characteristics. The history of the various different discoveries is compellingly narrated and full of little anecdotes and sidelines, which makes the subject so much more fascinating and brings you very close to the people actively (and passionately) involved in all major advancements. In addition, the authors took great care to explain the complex biological processes and interactions of Alzheimer's disease using everyday English, avoiding scientific terminology whenever possible. This makes the book a highly enjoyable read not only for scientists and clinicians, but also - and especially - for the interested lay audience. It's a prime example that science writing does not have to be dry, dull and incomprehensible, but can be as exciting as reading a detective story: once you've started you just want to learn more and more and cannot stop until you have reached the last page. I can highly recommend 'Decoding Darkness' for everyone who is interested in how scientists from all over the world have been engaged in solving the many mysteries and riddles that lie behind this devastating disease.

A great book for anyone interested in Alzheimer's disease

Decoding Darkness provides not only the scientific facts about what is known about Alzheimer's disease, but also the historical aspects behind it. This book is a very interesting book to read. I thought it would be another textbook-like format explaining about Alzheimer's disease, but it was more like a detective novel developing into the current state of Alzheimer's disease research in reality. This book was written by one of the very first in the frontiers of Alzheimer's disease research. The information should be accurate and most current.

Research at its finest

Decoding Darkness is a fascinating book that takes into the world of research. After reading this book, you will no longer think of scientist as nerdy little men and women in white coats, but as real people who dedicate their lives to save others. The book reads easily, as it is interesting, informative, and written humerously.

Fascinating read exploring the world of research.

Decoding Darkness takes you on a fascinating and humorous journey into the world of research. Rudolph Tanzi and Ann Parson have put together an interesting and entertaining book on a very serious subject, Alzheimer's Disease. The book takes you from Tanzi's graduation from University of Rochester to his graduation with a PHD in neurogenetics from Harvard University, to the early days of his research to the present. Decoding Darkness is a must read for anyone's family who has been afflicted with this horrible disease to anyone who is interested in the fascinating world of research and the "heroes" such as Rudolph Tanzi who dedicate their lives to cure these deadly diseases.