Cure Alzheimer's Fund: Targeting Breakthrough Research

Wall Street Journal column on the impact of the economic downturn on charities quotes Cure Alzheimer's Fund President Tim Armour on the Fund's success of moving funds as quickly as possible to research rather than establishing an endowment. Armour participated on a panel at the Boston College Center on Wealth and Philanthropy Conference.

Photo credit: Ben Watts Nationally recognized Cure Alzheimer’s Fund researchers Dr. Rudy Tanzi and Dr. Sam Gandy add another distinction to their scientific careers as they join rock celebrities Sheryl Crow, Josh Groban, hip hop artist and X-Men Origins: Wolverine co-star Will-i-am, Aerosmith’s Joe Perry; and Seal for a designer menswear photo shoot as a “Rock Star of Science” in the June issue of GQ Magazine, available nationally on May 25, 2009.

The news media has been reporting dramatic drops in endowments and in funding for non-profits. How is Cure Alzheimer’s Fund doing? Cure Alzheimer’s Fund has no endowment and we keep what funds are left after distribution to research and expenses in money market funds so we can have ready access to money to fund research.

ABCNews.com has launched an online Alzheimer's disease resource featuring informative tips and facts to help people better understand this devastating disease. The site features videos of Alzheimer's experts and researchers answering questions about risk factors, research, latest treatments and other issues impacting people living with the disease and the people who care for them.

Dr. Rob Moir Researcher Dr. Rob Moir, a member of the Cure Alzheimer's Fund Oligomer Collaborative, and researcher at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, presented research supported by Cure Alzheimer's Fund in March to the International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease/Parkinson's Disease that points to evidence that the Abeta peptide, acknowledged to be implicated in the cause of AD, may in fact be a "part of our evolutionary ancient innate immune system.

A paper released on April 1, 2009, in the Journal of Neuroscience corroborates Prana’s strategy to treat Alzheimer’s disease patients.Says Dr. Charles Glabe, an author of the paper and member of Cure Alzheimer’s Fund Research Consortium, “these results are very exciting news for understanding the mechanism of Alzheimer’s pathogenesis.

Terry Moran, ABC news correspondent, shares his personal story of facing Alzheimer’s and getting his DNA tested for the disease. This segment also features Cure Alzheimer’s Fund Research Consortium member Dr. Sam Gandy participating in an upcoming GQ article spotlighting “rock-star” Alzheimer’s scientists photographed with real rock stars including Sheryl Crow, Will I Am and members of Aerosmith.

Getting to a Cure Why do we need a National Strategy?   The cost of care for Alzheimer’s patients will overwhelm Medicare and Medicaid if not checked within the next few years. With funding from private and public sources heavily constrained, it is essential to make each research dollar count.

The Alzheimer's Study Group Strategic Plan provides a solid framework for a strategic national plan to combat the growing crisis of Alzheimer’s disease. It is clear that all involved in this report worked hard to develop a comprehensive strategy for the treatment and care of the more than 5.2 million Americans already battling Alzheimer’s and the 10 million caregivers across the country grappling with the challenges of caring for a loved one with the disease.

The Alzheimer's Study Group was established on July 11, 2007 under the auspices of the Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease with the charge of creating a National Alzheimer's Strategic Plan to overcome America’s mounting Alzheimer's crisis. The National Alzheimer's Strategic Plan was released at a hearing before the U.S.