The Alzheimer's Project

The Alzheimer's Project. This multi-part documentary series, presented by HBO in association with the National Institute on Aging and the Alzheimer's Association, provides an unprecedented look at the scientific and personal realities of Alzheimer's disease. The project was executive produced by Maria Shriver and Sheila Nevins, aiming to educate the public and destigmatize the condition through a blend of intimate patient stories and frontline research. It premiered over three nights in 2009, featuring contributions from leading scientists at institutions like the Mayo Clinic and Mount Sinai Hospital.

Overview

The series was conceived as a comprehensive public health initiative, exploring the disease from multiple angles including cutting-edge biomedical research, family caregiver struggles, and the quest for effective clinical trials. It highlights the work of prominent researchers like Dr. Gary Small of UCLA and the late Dr. Robert Butler of the International Longevity Center. The project's scope extends beyond the films themselves, encompassing a vast outreach program with free educational materials distributed to community centers and medical schools nationwide. This effort was bolstered by partnerships with organizations such as the National Institutes of Health and the Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund.

Production and release

Development was spearheaded by HBO Documentary Films under the leadership of Sheila Nevins, with Maria Shriver joining as an executive producer following her work on the California Women's Conference and her family's experience with the disease, as detailed in her book *What's Happening to Grandpa?*. Principal filming took place over two years at renowned research facilities including Banner Alzheimer's Institute in Phoenix and Johns Hopkins Hospital. The series premiered on HBO on May 10, 2009, with additional broadcasts on C-SPAN and a free streaming release on HBO On Demand. A companion book, edited by Shriver, was published by PublicAffairs.

Episodes

The first film, "The Memory Loss Tapes", offers a raw, observational look at seven individuals across the disease's stages, filmed by directors like Shari Cookson. "Momentum in Science", a two-part installment, tours laboratories at the University of California, San Francisco and Harvard University, detailing research into amyloid plaques and tau protein. It features interviews with experts like Dr. Sam Gandy of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. The final episode, "Caregivers", narrated by Angela Bassett, shares the stories of families, including that of former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. A fifth supplemental film, "Grandpa, Do You Know Who I Am?" hosted by Maria Shriver, addresses the disease's impact on children.

Critical reception

The series was met with widespread critical acclaim, praised for its unflinching yet compassionate approach. The New York Times commended its "sober, informative tone" and the powerful intimacy of "The Memory Loss Tapes". The Washington Post highlighted the "remarkable access" granted to filmmakers at top-tier institutions like the University of Pennsylvania. It received several honors, including a Peabody Award and the Alfred I. duPont–Columbia University Award. Reviewers from Newsday and the Los Angeles Times particularly noted the series' success in balancing human stories with complex science, making it accessible to a broad audience.

Impact and legacy

The project had a significant immediate impact, generating a surge in calls to the Alzheimer's Association helpline and driving traffic to the National Institute on Aging's website. It is credited with raising public awareness and influencing policy discussions, contributing to the passage of the National Alzheimer's Project Act in 2011. The extensive educational curriculum developed for high school and college students ensured its longevity as a teaching tool. The project's model of combining documentary filmmaking with a major public health campaign has since been emulated for other conditions, solidifying its legacy as a landmark in science communication and advocacy.

Category:2009 American television series debuts Category:HBO original programming Category:Documentary television series about health