Alzheimer’s research shows questionable approach

August 27, 2026

Science magazine recently published reporter Charles Piller’s in-depth look at a series of high-profile findings on genetic variants purported to protect against Alzheimer’s disease. His reporting suggests that researchers embraced a questionable approach to identifying protective mutations, improperly changed patient data in ways that bolstered their findings, and in multiple papers published seemingly altered or copied images. 

Earlier this year, we published another of Piller’s stories, one about how Alzheimer’s drug developers accused clinical trial sites of faking data. 

Over the last five years, a number of IRW interns have contributed to Piller’s deep research, including Avi Paulson, Ella Robinson, Alana Parker and Nicole Spirea.

— Lynne Perri