“I am a neurologist.

And it's the early stages of Alzheimer's disease."

A neuroscientist who noticed his own dementia 10 years early
Preparation for a 'meaningful life until the end' he preaches

Dr. Daniel Gibbs, a neurologist and neuroscientist with 30 years of experience, has dedicated himself to treating countless dementia patients throughout his career.
Then one day, dementia struck him too.
But what's even more surprising is that he detected the early signs of dementia 10 years ago and took proactive measures to slow the progression of the disease.
How was all this possible? The author's extraordinary journey garnered immediate attention upon its release on Amazon and was even made into an MTV documentary in 2024.
This book is a record of a scientist's meticulous struggle to capture the "critical period for brain health" and a profound optimism about life.
The author shows that even in the face of great loss, happiness, family love, fulfillment, and the desire to live continue.
Because, as he said, “life is always really good.”

A meaningful life.
I believe this is a universally desirable outcome for everyone.
That's the story this book tells.

--- From "Entering"

The question now is: If we could detect the pathological changes that could lead to neurodegenerative disease earlier, could we halt its progression and change its course before damage occurs?
Could we use that latency period to buy time to fight Alzheimer's? I believe we can.
Because I am living in that time.

--- From the "Prologue"

No matter how many times I've witnessed brain surgery, it always leaves me with a sense of awe.
It was truly awe-inspiring to be able to see with my own eyes a living brain, a brain so powerful yet so fragile when exposed to such force.
How fascinating it would be if I, a neuroscientist, could observe my own brain surgery.
But for now, I'm content with being able to see my brain through video scans and data.

--- From "I'm Alone" Preview

After 20 years of doing these trips, I've learned that the best times to see orcas are not when you're looking for them, but when you least expect them.
It's just something we happen to run into by chance.
If the engine had been working properly that year and the voyage had continued as planned, we would not have seen the orca.
When I look back on my first year after retirement, I remember those days when I was aimlessly drifting on the sea, unable to find my way anywhere.
Although the plan was ruined, it was a day filled with ordinary yet memorable events in life.
A gift from the killer whale, a gift of time.

--- From "Anyway, the Killer Whale"

Whatever the case, the next thing we need to do is to examine and understand the specifics of the situation, both clinical and practical.
Because then you can find your center again.
Having choices and the ability to make decisions builds confidence and power.
It's much better than giving in to despair.

--- From "The Hidden Brain Revealed"

Cognitive reserve isn't a medical cure, but it saves lives in other ways.
Because the brain itself preserves mental life even when under siege.
(Omitted) This is not just my wish.
It is a well-established fact in neuroscience that the brain is resilient and can create new connections and pathways to replace brain circuits damaged by disease or trauma.
--- "Cognitive Ability and Resilience"

If there was a drug that slowed the progression of Alzheimer's disease by 50 percent, we would hail it as a miracle, and it would generate billions of dollars for the pharmaceutical industry.
But we already have such a drug.
It's even free.
Yes, that's right.
This medicine is exercise.

--- From "All our choices change our lives"

Even in the context of neurodegeneration, this phenomenon of some abilities declining while others persist resiliently presents a mysterious riddle about the senses.
A fascinating and in some ways encouraging riddle.

--- From "Madeleine, Music, and African Dove"

Looking down isn't always scary.
Because you can also figure out how high the altitude has gone.
I can feel how far I have come.
It takes conscious effort, but you can do it by taking the time to savor the feeling.

--- From "It's not scary if you don't look down"

This transition always happens through the significant others in our lives.
From the people we care about, from each other, we gain insight and patience, courage and compassion, and the ability to laugh about the present.
And maybe we are creating our own legacy.

--- From "Beyond DNA"

But from a purely human perspective, what amnesia threatens is our fundamental sense of self, our sense of who we are, what we know, feel, and believe, how we belong and how we live in the world.
Memories and recollections not only shape our existence, but they define us in the most profound ways, both as individuals and in our relationships.
This is what I mean when I say we need to buy time by diagnosing and treating Alzheimer's disease earlier.
There is no time to waste.

--- From "Meaningful Results"