A medical mystery unfolds in middle AmericaThe Vanishing Family: Love, Fate, and the Quest to End Dementia Robert Kolker Doubleday, 2026. 368 pp.

A rare form of dementia causes the loss of multiple siblings, highlighting the devastating impact on families and caregivers.

• Why it matters: Understanding this condition is crucial because it reveals the profound emotional and physical toll on families, which is often underrecognized and underaddressed.
• What they did: The journalist documented the unfolding tragedy through in-depth storytelling, illustrating the personal and societal challenges faced by affected families.
• The result: This work raises awareness of rare dementias, emphasizing the need for better support systems and research to prevent such devastating family losses.