Most people in the U.S. are recognizing the challenges presented by Alzheimer’s disease. While the funding to find a cure is woefully short, that may soon change.

In 2010, Congress unanimously passed legislation that set a goal of finding a treatment for Alzheimer’s by 2025. But, funding for the National Institute of Health’s (NIH) research on dementia has not increased to the $2 billion a year that scientists say is necessary. At present, there are 107,000 state citizens living with Alzheimer’s, and the number will grow to 270,000 by 2040 (per the new Alzheimer’s state plan). Alzheimer’s is already the most expensive disease in America with $226 billion being spent on care. Without successful research, it is estimated that costs will rise to $1.1 trillion in 2050. Clearly, we must invest more in research, and soon.

Thanks to bipartisan House and Senate negotiators, the NIH appropriations bill that became law in December includes an unprecedented $350 million increase for Alzheimer’s, bringing the total to $936 million.

Thank you to Rep. Adam Smith, Sen. Patty Murray and Sen. Maria Cantwell for supporting Alzheimer’s funding and voting for this bill. World scientific leaders now recognize Alzheimer’s as a top priority for increased research that has the potential to rewrite the future. The big boost in NIH funding voted in December will soon launch new ground-breaking Alzheimer’s research.

Melinda and Barry Franklin

Mercer Island