**Policy Developments Shaping Alzheimer’s Research**
Alzheimer’s disease is a growing concern worldwide, affecting millions of people and their families. To combat this, researchers, organizations, and policymakers are working together to accelerate progress in understanding and treating the disease. Here are some key policy developments shaping Alzheimer’s research:
### Increased Funding for Research
The Alzheimer’s Association has committed a record $109 million to research in 2024, the largest allocation since its founding. This includes over $76 million in grants for new scientific investigations, which were selected through a rigorous peer-review process. The Association is investing more than $430 million in over 1,110 active projects across 56 countries, demonstrating its commitment to global research efforts[1].
### Diversification of Clinical Trials
The Part the Cloud global research grant program, founded by philanthropist Mikey Hoag, has been instrumental in funding high-risk, high-reward studies. Since its inception in 2012, the program has funded 71 studies, generating over $1.4 billion in follow-on funding. This program continues to drive the diversification of clinical trials, aiming to find new treatments for Alzheimer’s[1].
### U.S. POINTER Study
The U.S. POINTER study is a significant initiative aimed at understanding the relationship between lifestyle interventions and dementia risk. With over 2,000 participants enrolled across various study sites, the study focuses on historically underrepresented populations. The Alzheimer’s Association has invested over $60 million in U.S. POINTER, with additional funding from the National Institute on Aging (NIA) expected to total nearly $65 million for add-on studies[1].
### Collaboration and Team Science
The Alzheimer’s Association has also launched the AD Strategic Fund, a partnership with an anonymous foundation that supports team science collaborative projects. In FY24, this fund awarded over $7 million to team science projects, focusing on emerging science areas. The partnership will continue its work in FY25 with additional funding for focused programs and open collaborative projects[1].
### Therapeutic Development
The Tau Pipeline Enabling Program, a partnership with the Rainwater Charitable Foundation, has funded five new studies totaling nearly $4 million. This program aims to advance drug discovery and development projects related to tau biology, a key aspect of Alzheimer’s research[1].
### International Collaboration
The Alzheimer’s Network for Treatment and Diagnostics (ALZ-NET) is a collaborative effort led by the Alzheimer’s Association. This network collects routine clinical practice data from healthcare professionals caring for people with Alzheimer’s who are taking FDA-approved disease-modifying treatments. ALZ-NET has over 200 clinical sites in various stages of startup, including 60 fully active sites with over 600 patients enrolled. The network is also aligning with international registry efforts across 11 other countries[1].
### Brain Health Initiatives
The Healthy Brain Initiative (HBI) Road Map Strategist program has awarded grants to 10 local health departments to bolster dementia care in local communities. This initiative aims to promote brain health and support community-based programs that address dementia[2].
### National Research Priorities
A new consensus study report, “Preventing and Treating Dementia: Research Priorities to Accelerate Progress,” identifies prevention and treatment strategies for the next decade. The report calls for breaking down silos for more collaborative, multidisciplinary research; fostering inclusive research to eliminate health disparities; developing innovative funding strategies; and increasing innovation through public-private partnerships[4].
### Community Engagement
Researchers at the MIND Center are working to find new ways to slow or prevent dementia. The ARIC study, which has tracked heart health and cognitive function since the late 1980s, has provided valuable insights into early risk factors for dementia. The study’s findings emphasize the importance of early intervention and highlight the need for continued research to develop effective interventions and medications[3].
These policy developments demonstrate a concerted effort to accelerate Alzheimer’s research. By increasing funding, divers
