— Largest single year investment in research since the organization’s founding —
CHICAGO, Nov. 8, 2023 — The Alzheimer’s Association today announces a
landmark $100 million investment into research initiatives in 2023. This unparalleled commitment stands as the largest single-year investment since the organization’s founding in 1980.
“As the world’s largest nonprofit funder of Alzheimer’s and dementia research, the Alzheimer’s Association is committed to accelerating the global effort to eliminate Alzheimer’s and all other dementia, and, until then, to improve care and quality of life for people living with the disease,” said Joanne Pike, DrPH, Alzheimer’s Association president and CEO.
In 2023, the Alzheimer’s Association funded 271 scientific investigations from researchers at all career levels examining topics across the spectrum of dementia science. The Association’s global, cumulative impact on research now includes more than $360 million invested in over 1,000 active research projects in 53 countries, spanning six continents.
In addition to research grant funding, the Association’s investment in research supports a wide range of global leadership initiatives:
“Unprecedented times need to be met with unprecedented action,” said Pike. “The Alzheimer’s Association is the only organization that is tackling Alzheimer’s and all other dementia from all angles and in all communities. This $100 million annual investment is illustrative of the momentum we have built and are driving forward in dementia research. Our investments today will lead to breakthroughs tomorrow.”
As an example:
- Back in 1995 — 28 years earlier — the Alzheimer’s Association funded William Klunk, M.D., Ph.D., and Chester Mathis, Ph.D., at the University of Pittsburgh to develop the first-of-its-kind imaging compound that made amyloid PET brain imaging possible.
- Then, in 2011, the Association funded Randall Bateman, M.D., at Washington University in St. Louis for research that laid the groundwork for the development of blood-based biomarkers for Alzheimer’s, which are now widely used in Alzheimer’s clinical trials. These “blood tests” complement, and may someday supersede, the older imaging technologies.
- Just last month, in October 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) decided to fully cover amyloid PET brain imaging for Alzheimer’s diagnosis, and also to determine eligibility for, and track the impact and side effects of, newly approved Alzheimer’s treatments.
“The Alzheimer’s Association is succeeding by making strategic allocations to advance understanding of Alzheimer's and all other dementia, identify new treatment strategies, improve care for people with dementia and further our knowledge of brain health and disease prevention. This new era of Alzheimer’s treatment is exciting, but our work is not done. With soaring prevalence and enormous costs, Alzheimer’s and all other dementia-causing disorders are an escalating global health crisis and now is the time to accelerate support on all fronts,” Pike said.
“Thanks to all of our supporters — including annual fund donors, participants in the
Walk to End Alzheimer’s, contributors to our
Zenith Society and
Part the Cloud initiatives, and all our partner organizations. The Alzheimer’s Association funds the best and brightest scientists working on new and innovative approaches to treating, diagnosing and preventing dementia,” said Maria C. Carrillo, Ph.D., Alzheimer’s Association chief science officer. “In particular, through our Part the Cloud initiative, we focus on advancing novel, promising therapies into early phase clinical trials.”
“In addition, the Association is the leading convener of Alzheimer’s and dementia researchers, clinicians and related professionals from all career stages, and we foster the next generation of dementia researchers by providing networking opportunities with members of the dementia research community from around the globe,” Carrillo added.
About the Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia®. Visit alz.org or call 800.272.3900.