logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2024
18m 23s

My quest to cure prion disease — before ...

TED
About this episode

Biomedical researcher Sonia Vallabh's life was turned upside down when she learned she had the genetic mutation for a rare and fatal illness, prion disease, that could strike at any time. Thirteen years later, her search for a cure has led to new insights about how to catch and prevent disease — and how to honor our grandest, most mysterious inheritance: our brains.

Learn more about our flagship conference happening this April at attend.ted.com/podcast


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Today
How to raise kids who can handle hard things | Kathryn Hecht
Could exposing kids to their fears help them thrive later on in life? Exploring the science of exposure therapy, pediatric psychologist Kathryn Hecht shows how encouraging children to handle discomfort builds confidence and resilience. Through personal stories and practical strat ... Show More
20m 53s
Apr 21
The psychology of forgiveness with Michael McCullough | from WorkLife with Adam Grant
In this season of WorkLife, we’re pairing each of our regular episodes with a companion interview to do a deeper dive into the topic. This is the companion for our episode on the secrets of a great apology. Michael McCullough is a psychology professor at UC San Diego and a pionee ... Show More
30m 15s
Apr 14
The secrets to aging well with Zeke Emanuel
When has healthcare advice become so complicated? And how should we be thinking about long-term wellness? Zeke Emanuel is an oncologist and bioethnicist whose latest book, Eat Your Ice Cream, might sound paradoxical against modern health trends and wellness noise. Zeke joins Shos ... Show More
33m 52s
Recommended Episodes
May 2022
S2 002: Rudy Benfredj at Mendelian ➡️ Rare diseases, genetics, AI. 🧬🤖🏥
<p>A computer scientist fascinated by the genetic code and its application to rare disease, Rudy Benfredj moved into healthtech and cofounded Mendelian. Mendelscan, their core technology helps identify patients at risk of developing a rare disease early. We touch on the patient’s ... Show More
31m 23s
May 2025
How to Cure What Ails You
<p>Now that we have the ability to see inside the brain without opening anyone's skull, we'll be able to map and define brain activity and peg it to behavior and feelings. Right? Well, maybe not, or maybe not just yet. It seems the workings of our brains are rather too complex an ... Show More
25m 1s
Dec 2022
New Season of I am BIO; plus Hope for Alzheimer's (Redux)
I am BIO will begin a new season of exciting topics on Feb 28. During our hiatus, we are bringing back some of our most popular episodes beginning with “Hope for Alzheimer's.”Alzheimer’s disease is a heartbreaking diagnosis and tragically there is no cure. But every day, research ... Show More
22m 47s
Nov 2024
What it’s Like to Take an Alzheimer’s Test
In this intimate finale of a two-part special, Dr. Sanjay Gupta decides to find out his own risk of Alzheimer’s disease. As he confronts his own genetic markers and lifestyle factors, Sanjay breaks down the science behind Alzheimer’s risk and explores what steps might slow down t ... Show More
25m 9s
Oct 2025
Sonia Gandhi on building model brains to tackle Parkinson’s disease
Many people will be familiar with Parkinson’s disease: the progressive brain disorder that causes symptoms including tremors and slower movement, leading on to serious cognitive problems. You might not know that it’s the fastest-growing neurological condition in the world. Today ... Show More
28m 23s
Oct 2024
EP 159: Engineering macrophages to tackle rare disease with Noam Baumatz of Noga Therapeutics
In this episode, we’re joined by Noam Baumatz, CEO and Co-Founder of Noga Therapeutics, a company dedicated to developing gene therapies for rare and severe diseases through engineering macrophages. Motivated by his highly personal experience of rare disease, Noam founded Noga to ... Show More
44m 17s
Dec 2023
Risk and Reward in Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's Disease Risk and Reward When they hear about my work as a neurodegeneration researcher, people always ask me about Alzheimer's disease risk factors. What really causes Alzheimer's disease? Plaque and tangle buildup The truth is there's no one secret to staving off dem ... Show More
47m 9s
May 2023
Mieux connaître la maladie de Huntington
Maladie génétique rare et héréditaire du système nerveux central, la maladie de Huntington se manifeste par des troubles psychiatriques, cognitifs et moteurs qui s’aggravent progressivement. Les symptômes de la maladie se manifestent généralement entre 30 et 50 ans. Elle est d'év ... Show More
1m 58s
Oct 2018
#043 Dr. Dale Bredesen on Preventing and Reversing Alzheimer's Disease
<p><strong>Dale E. Bredesen</strong></p> <p>Dale E. Bredesen, M.D., is a professor of neurology at the Easton Laboratories for Neurodegenerative Disease Research at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).</p> <p>Dr. Bredesen's labo ... Show More
1h 14m
Dec 2023
252: When Good Health Isn't Enough: Exploring Recessive Genes and Persistent Symptoms
In this episode of the Ancient Health Podcast, Dr. Motley explores the topic of recessive genes and why they can express themselves, even when individuals are doing all the right things for their health. Using his own experience with Lyme disease, Dr. Motley discusses how certain ... Show More
34m 46s