-
16. History and the Future of Alzheimer Disease
- Johns Hopkins University Press
- Chapter
- Additional Information
16 History and the Future of Alzheimer Disease Peter J. Whitehouse Alzheimer disease (AD) is a malignant threat to the quality of life of affected individuals as well as to the quality of life of the human race in the future. Our ability to recognize the challenges and dangers that lie ahead will be critical in determining whether we can make appropriate personal and social responses to this condition. But just what is the nature of the threat that we perceive to be looming ahead? Surely a clear definition of AD is relevant to both those who search for biological cures and those who seek better ways of delivering care. But the concept of AD has changed in the past, and it is likely to change in the future. In this chapter I examine the value of studying the history of the concept of AD. I also examine the dominance of the biological sciences in finding better treatments, curatives, and even preventatives. It is the emergence of new biological technologies, I hypothesize, that has been critical in defining the disease and developing solutions to the problems it creates. Trends that may challenge the biological view are examined as well. These trends may, in turn, affect public policy and planning. Finally , I focus on quality of life as an approach for developing new integrated concepts of AD (Whitehouse forthcoming). 292 Peter J. Whitehouse THE VALUE OF HISTORICAL STUDY What is the value of historical study? What is the role of history in helping us to understand or even predict the trends that will determine the future? These questions are relevant for academic historians as well as for those of us who seek guidance in moving forward the boundaries of human knowledge to help solve current and future problems. Should we study history because it does repeat itself and because those who are ignorant of the past will be doomed to repeat those cycles? Or should we study history to attempt to understand the complexities of social forces that may change the very manner in which we perceive reality? It seems reasonable to ask these questions at a time when major forces appear to be at work in reshaping the quest for human wisdom. It also seems reasonable and even intuitive to suggest that reality is an evolving social construction described by limit-setting language and especially metaphor , but also based on the physical world in which we live. Clearly, few would argue that a knowledge of history has no relevance for the future. What one purchases at the grocery store today contributes to the options for dinner tomorrow. However, as the desire for linking past and future extends further in time in both directions and the complexity of the concepts to be assimilated increases, our confidence in the helpfulness of history may wane. Understanding the desires , concepts, and perceived follies of the people of the past should create both a sense of humility and a list of options for us to consider as elements of our worldview. In this sense, historians are like anthropologists , who can expand our appreciation for the diverse human responses to the need to organize socially and adapt to the environment. More important, historians, like anthropologists, can help us understand that culture is our greatest attribute as an evolved species. We are a part of that culture, and our ability to modify it rationally is limited. However, understanding cultural evolution may help us think critically about our common future. A view of history that is based on a notion of linear progress (such as, one might argue, science promulgates) would limit our appreciation of history to recording our stages of success and celebrating how much more we know and can do. Molecular biologists recognize the need to respond to the findings of last month or maybe late last year. Lack of interest in distant history (and perhaps also a realistic future) constrains their participation in projects such as those that are represented in this book. [18.205.114.205] Project MUSE (2024-03-19 03:45 GMT) History and the Future of Alzheimer Disease 293 As population and environmental pressures increase, our vision of the future has become a bit less rosy. I believe an understanding of history at least allows us to develop a sense of shared connectivity to the human beings who went before and left us their legacy. With modesty and hope, we will leave ours. Many future-molding forces are...