About the book
Alzheimer's is the great global epidemic of our time, affecting millions worldwide – there are over 850,000 people with the diagnosis in the UK alone. And its shockwaves extend far wider, through disbelieving families and friends. In 2016, it overtook heart disease as the number one cause of death in England and Wales, and as our populations age, scientists are working against the clock to find a cure.
Neuroscientist Joseph Jebelli is among them. Determined to save other families from the experiences that had rocked his, he set out to write the book that explained what happened to his grandfather. Far more than the story of a disease, In Pursuit of Memory zooms inside the human brain to see how Alzheimer's works and out again to show, entwined with the history and science, a thrilling hunt for answers. Jebelli's compelling insider's account shows vividly why he feels so hopeful about a cure but also why our best defence in the meantime is to understand the disease. In Pursuit of Memory is the definitive book on Alzheimer's: its past, present and future.
About the author
Joseph Jebelli, 32, was born in Bristol. His research focuses on the cell biology of neurodegenerative diseases. In particular, he worked on the emerging idea of harnessing the brain’s immune system to combat the disorders. He has published numerous academic papers on Alzheimer’s disease in peer-reviewed scientific journals, and has presented his research at a variety of research institutes and major scientific conferences around the world. In 2010 he began writing about biology for the website BioNews. He went on to write science-based articles for the Guardian, the Biochemist, the Biologist, Nature’s Soapbox Science, the Society of Biology, and the Wellcome Trust. He regularly gives talks in an effort to improve public engagement with science, including the UCL Bite-Sized Lunchtime Lecture Series and the UK’s Big Bang Fair. In Pursuit of Memory is his first book and he currently lives in London.
