Video:  “The Race to the Cure”, from “A Quick Look at Alzheimer’s Disease”, www.aboutalz.org

There are many ways scientists investigate a disease – in the laboratory, in the classroom, person-to-person, etc.  But it all takes time and money.  Every day there are more advances and new projects.  Here are links to sites to stay up-to-date and how you can get involved.

Clinical Trials:
A research study in which human subjects are assigned to one or more interventions, such as specific medications (which may include a placebo or other control) or activities, to evaluate the effects of those interventions on biomedical or behavioral outcomes. 

Unfortunately, 80 percent of studies are delayed because too few people sign up to participate.  You may be able to participate in a clinical trial and help vital research to find a cure.  Researchers are looking for participants who have the disease now, may have it later, and are healthy now.   Your participation is always voluntary.  Typically, you will receive a notice of a study that fits your profile and you then opt in to participate.  The easiest way is to join the pool of individuals interested in participating in clinical trials at:

• The Alzheimer’s Prevention Registry led by Banner Alzheimer’s Institute.
• Brain Health Registry is maintained by the University of California, San Francisco, and supported by grants from philanthropic and industry organizations.
• Alzheimer’s Association TrialMatch.  The Alzheimer’s Association contracted with the company EmergingMed for this resource.

To find a clinical trial close to you visit:

• National Institutes of Health, ClinicalTrials.gov
• National Institute on Aging, Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral Center, Clinical Trials
• Alzheimer’s Foundation of America
• University of California at Davis, Alzheimer’s Disease Center
• Sutter Health Alzheimer’s Disease Clinical Trials

Funding Research:
“Although Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, and the only one of the top 10 causes of death that has no cure or disease modifying treatment, funding for Alzheimer’s research still lags far behind other chronic illnesses,” said Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., president and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.  Today, 5.4 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s.  By 2050, up to 16 million Americans will have the disease.  It is an alarming and costly medical crisis.  

The primary source for medical research is the U.S. government.  However, spending for Alzheimer’s research dramatically lags spending for other chronic diseases.   You can help by contacting your federal representative to urge them to support any additional research funding for Alzheimer’s.  You can find your Congressional representative online.  The Senators for California are:


The financial and human toll for Alzheimer’s disease is already staggering and continues to grow – let’s find a cure.


Alzheimer’s/Dementia Facts: