“Surpassing yourself, so that people can surpass the disease” – this is the motto of Hassan Fadli, Founder of “5 Ironman’s Beat Alzheimer’s” non-profit, aiming to promote awareness, prevention and research in the field of dementia (https://www.5ironmansbeatalzheimer.com/en). Hassan is an engineer by training and profession. A couple of years ago, he decided to honour his father, who has recently died of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), and contribute to the community. Each Ironman race involves 3.86 km of swimming, 180,25 km cycling and 42,20 km of running. It is an exceptional effort, made for an exceptional cause.

In this episode of NeuroCentury, Paweł Świeboda discusses with Hassan Fadli what lies ahead in the brain health campaign. The need for awareness-raising is shown by the recent data from the World Alzheimer Report 2024 (see: https://www.alzint.org/resource/world-alzheimer-report-2024/), which says that 88% of people living with dementia indicate experiencing discrimination. Also, 80% of the general public believes dementia is a normal part of ageing, which it is not (it is a disease).

More is known about the importance of prevention with the latest Lancet Commission report raising to 45% the share of dementia cases worldwide, which could potentilly be prevened or delayed by addressing a range of modifiable risk factors. However, prevention still needs to be translated into a lasting change in lifestyles.

Research in the neuro space is sinigificantly underfunded compared to other disciplines. As a result, only 2 disease-modifying drugs for AD have been authorised by the US FDA since 2000 as well as 9 symtomatic drugs. In comparison, there have been 573 drugs in oncology. Hassan’s non-profit is conducting a pilot phase of a longitudinal multi-case clinical research study with endurance athletes who are at risk for dementia related diseases focusing on their physical health, mental health, and resilience during sports training and competitions. Endurance is what the fight against AD will need with future cure offering the ultimate reward.

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Music for the NeuroCentury podcast is composed by Rafał Kulczycki