Through the combined efforts of the federal
government, led by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the scientific community, the pharmaceutical industry and the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s disease has rocketed from relative obscurity to the forefront of modern biomedical sciences.

Phenomenal progress in the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease has been achieved in the last 15 years, and new insights into prevention lead us to believe that what was once considered hopeless is
now hopeful.

Today, we see:

• Improved diagnostic tools that are helping providers to diagnose with more than 90 percent accuracy.

• Identification of genes that may put people at increased risk for the disease.

• A worldwide network of investigators and research centers involved in intensive studies on multiple fronts, including basic sciences, genetics, interventions, psychosocial issues and caregiving strategies for diverse populations.

• Critical research systems in place that support and coordinate clinical studies, and brain banks and cell repositories to facilitate sharing of donated tissues and genetic data – all to find answers faster, cheaper and better.

• Five FDA-approved drug treatments and additional compounds in the pipeline.

• New commercial applications of technology to provide greater independence and quality of life for those with Alzheimer’s disease.

• Increased knowledge of what we can do to stave off dementia. There is growing evidence that by taking steps to keep your brain healthier as you age might also reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia.

We're leading the fight

The Alzheimer’s Association has a plan to fight Alzheimer's disease that includes a major mobilization of people and significant new resources. The Association is prepared to lead the fight, but the nation needs the leadership of the president and the Congress as well.

We call upon the 109th Congress and the administration to take action by increasing funding for Alzheimer research at the National Institutes of Health by $200 million to keep Congress on track toward the overall goal of $1 billion annually for Alzheimer research.

In addition, we are working to pass the Ronald Reagan Breakthrough Act of 2005 (S602/HR1262). This legislation raises the limits on federal spending on research to cure, prevent and treat Alzheimer's disease. In addition, it will increase the nation’s investment in caregiver support through respite care, family counseling and tax credits.

Investment in research is the nation’s only hope to help protect the quality of life for millions of Americans — those with Alzheimer’s, those who care for them and those who will suffer in the future if we don’t eliminate this disease.

Federal research funding

The chart below shows the significant advances in funding for Alzheimer research that the Association has advocated to increase over the past two decades.

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