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The coming neurological epidemic - Gregory Petsko

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TED Talk

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Biochemist Gregory Petsko makes a convincing argument that, in the next 50 years, we'll see an epidemic of neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer's, as the world population ages. His solution: more research into the brain and its functions.

Additional Resources for you to Explore

Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that leads to tremors and difficulty with walking, movement, and coordination.Alzheimer's disease is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States and the only cause of death among the top 10 in the United States that cannot be prevented, cured, or even slowed.Glaucoma is an eye disease in which the optic nerve is damaged in a characteristic pattern. This nerve carries visual information from the eye to the brain.A number of studies show that increased intake of omega-3 fatty acids is associated with reduced risk of age related cognitive decline or dementia, including Alzheimer's disease.In his TED talk, Applied mathematician and TED Fellow Max Little is testing a simple, cheap tool that, in trials, is able to detect Parkinson's with 99 percent accuracy -- in a 30-second phone call.

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