The Problem

Scope in United States

• Alzheimer's disease (AD) is most common form of dementia.
• AD Affects 25% of every American in his or her 80's, and half of those over 85.
• 76 million baby boomers are moving toward risk for AD.

Cost in U.S. Before Baby Boomer Influx

• AD has highest society cost of any disease: over $100 billion per year.
• AD Medicare beneficiaries = 13% of US population over 65.
• AD Medicare beneficiaries = 28% of the Medicare budget.

Science

• AD is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting all aspects of cognition. Epidemiological and genetic studies over the past three decades have documented a strong genetic component in the etiology of Alzheimer's disease.
• Known AD disease genes account for only 30% of genetic activity of the disease. With 70% of the genetic component of AD unknown, not even the best efforts can develop effective therapies to slow, stop or reverse the disease.
• Most current drug therapy development is based on research of genes discovered in 1987 and responsible for early onset AD which is only 5-10% of total AD population.
• Technology and expertise have now been developed to identify the remaining AD related genes.

The Solution

• Find remaining AD related genes. Identifying all AD disease genes will increase our ability to predict one's risk for AD soon enough to prevent the disease earlier in life.
• From the complete AD genetic map, identify affected biochemical pathways to accelerate development of therapies to slow, stop or reverse AD.

How You Can Help

• Cure Alzheimer's Fund scientists have the technology, expertise, familial DNA samples and passion to identify remaining AD related genes with urgency and conduct follow-on research for detection, therapies, and prevention. They need the rapid, flexible funding that Cure Alzheimer's Fund can provide.
  
• You can contribute to financing research of the unbiased whole genome-screen and related projects which will accelerate discovery of remaining AD genes, and rapidly facilitate development of new therapies.
  
• Help Cure Alzheimer's Fund to raise its first $6 million in 2007 for completion of the genetic map by the summer of 2008 and for related projects deriving from the identification of genes contributing to risk for the disease. It is anticipated that next stage research following completion of the Alzheimer’s Genome will require a budget of $15 million a year.