Dr. Francisco Lopera Restrepo, a neurologist who devoted his life to unraveling the mysteries of Alzheimer’s disease, passed away on September 10, 2024, in Medellín at the age of 73. His groundbreaking research on early-onset Alzheimer’s disease reshaped the scientific community’s understanding of this devastating condition, making him one of Colombia’s most celebrated medical researchers.
For nearly four decades, Dr. Lopera led a monumental study at the University of Antioquia (UdeA) on the mutación paisa, a genetic variant unique to an extended family in Antioquia that causes early-onset Alzheimer’s. This mutation has affected over 6,000 family members, with many developing dementia in their forties or even earlier. His dedication to tracking and understanding this gene, known as the mutación paisa, resulted in transformative breakthroughs in Alzheimer’s research.
A turning point in Dr. Lopera’s work came when he and his team discovered a family member carrying a second genetic mutation that protected him from dementia until the age of 67, despite having the mutación paisa. “It was like finding a hidden door in a labyrinth,” Lopera once reflected. This key discovery opened new possibilities for developing treatments to prevent Alzheimer’s in those genetically predisposed to the disease.
Born in the small town of Santa Rosa de Osos, Antioquia, in 1951, Lopera grew up in a region where memory loss, dementia, and other neurological disorders plagued many families. His proximity to those affected by the disease inspired him to pursue Medicine at the University of Antioquia. He specialized in Behavioral Neurology, and by 1984, he had begun investigating cases of early-onset Alzheimer’s in local families. His research would eventually identify 25 families in the region who carried the gene responsible for the disease, leading him to become an internationally recognized figure in neurology.
In a February 2013 (Edition 58) interview with Richard Emblin for The City Paper, Dr. Lopera explained how early experiences shaped his work. “When you live in a community where people lose their memory and vanish into themselves, you cannot look away,” he said. “You want to understand why, and more importantly, how to help.” This interview not only highlighted his scientific achievements but also revealed the profound personal commitment that fueled his work. It opened the way for numerous media reports, helping the world recognize the importance of his research.
Dr. Lopera’s investigations led to a partnership with the Banner Alzheimer’s Institute in Phoenix, Arizona, in 2013. Together, they launched a clinical trial that sought to prevent Alzheimer’s in individuals carrying the mutación paisa. The trial continues today, offering hope that the disease can be prevented in those who are otherwise certain to develop it. Dr. Lopera’s work focused not only on treating Alzheimer’s after symptoms appeared but on preventing the disease before it could begin to destroy the brain.
“We have to act before the damage is done,” he told The City Paper, emphasizing the importance of early intervention. His team’s innovative approach shifted the paradigm in Alzheimer’s research by targeting amyloid plaques – sticky protein clusters associated with dementia – before they could accumulate to dangerous levels. Dr. Lopera was particularly interested in studying amyloid’s impact on the brain when no symptoms were yet visible. “It’s like preventing a fire before it starts,” he explained. “Once the fire has destroyed the house, there is little you can do. But if we can stop the spark, we may save lives.”
Throughout his career, Dr. Lopera’s work was not just a scientific journey but a deeply human one. He recognized the emotional and financial toll Alzheimer’s took on families, particularly in the rural communities of Antioquia. He worked closely with the families he studied, earning their trust over years of compassionate research. This trust allowed him to establish a brain bank, essential for advancing his research. “We needed to look inside the brain to understand the disease,” he said. “Without these donations, without these families, our work would not have been possible.”
In one memorable instance, Dr. Lopera drove to the town of Angostura to convince the family of a deceased Alzheimer’s patient to donate their mother’s brain. His persistence and genuine concern led them to agree, marking the beginning of a brain donation program that would eventually grow to include 200 brains, 60 of which belonged to individuals with hereditary early-onset Alzheimer’s.
Dr. Lopera’s relentless pursuit of a cure extended beyond Colombia. His work attracted global attention, leading to profiles in renowned journals such as The Lancet and The New York Times. His research also had a profound impact on the scientific community, which regarded his study on the mutación paisa as a landmark in Alzheimer’s research. His clinical trials on the drug Crenezumab offered hope that one day Alzheimer’s might be prevented, changing the future of neurodegenerative diseases.
Despite his global acclaim, Dr. Lopera remained grounded in his commitment to Medellín and the people of Antioquia. “This is not just a scientific mission for me,” he told The City Paper. “It’s about giving hope to families who have lived in the shadow of this disease for generations.”
Dr. Francisco Lopera is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren, along with the thousands of families and individuals who benefited from his pioneering research. His work continues to inspire the next generation of scientists dedicated to solving one of the world’s most challenging medical mysteries.
As the medical community reflects on his legacy, one truth is certain: Dr. Lopera’s contributions to the understanding of Alzheimer’s disease will be remembered as a defining chapter in modern neurology. Through his work, he has not only advanced the fight against Alzheimer’s but also given countless families the hope that their memories—and their loved ones—may one day be saved.
In the parting words of Dr. Lopera: “To lose your memory is to lose a part of yourself. If we can preserve memory, we preserve the essence of who we are.”
