'Last Alzheimer's Patient' Offers Latest Updates... and Hope

"The Last Alzheimer's Patient" with CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta premiered on May 19 on CNN.

The episode of "The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper" offers a groundbreaking look at the latest medical research showing that symptoms of Alzheimer's disease can be prevented, slowed and potentially even reversed.

In a report spanning five years, Dr. Gupta follows Alzheimer's patients through their courses of treatment and explains why so many experts are calling it the "most hopeful" era for dementia patients and their loved ones.

A practicing neurosurgeon, Dr. Gupta also evaluates the pros and cons of the latest tests designed to measure an individual's risk for the disease and even undergoes the battery of tests himself, weighing his own risk for the world's most common neurodegenerative disorder.

"Preventing problems down the road is health care, instead of sick care," said Dr. Gupta. "Today, getting off the road to Alzheimer's disease and other dementias is so much simpler than we previously thought. The decisions we make every day – to eat healthy, to move more, to learn new skills, and to spend time with loved ones – sounds easy, but the evidence is clear. It can, and it will, lead to better brain health."

Today, nearly seven million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease. In "The Last Alzheimer's Patient," Dr. Gupta also details what viewers can do in their everyday lives that could help drive down their own risk for developing the devastating disease.

"The Last Alzheimer's Patient" is available on demand to pay TV subscribers via CNN.com, CNN-connected TV and mobile apps, and Cable Operator Platforms. Past episodes of "The Whole Story" are now available to stream on demand on Max.

The Whole Story is also available at CNN.com/audio.