$50 Million For Federal Alzheimer’s Research
W a s h i n g t o n, July 16 -- Federal researchers will get an additional $50 million over the next five years for research into a potential vaccine and treatments for Alzheimers' disease, the White House said today.
Former President Reagan’s daughter Maureen Reagan, an activistin the fight against the fatal disease her father suffers from, welcomedthe announcement but said much more is needed. The organizationMaureen Reagan represents, the Alzheimer’s Association, wants $100million for research this year.
As part of the organization's effort to raise awareness and bring researchers together, this year it launched the first-ever World Alzheimer’s Congress. The White House’s promise of extra federal funds seemed a promising close to the 10-day event winding down this weekend, even though the amount was well under expectations.
The Congress, which is the first time the world’s three major Alzheimer’s conferences have met at once, drew more than 5,000 researchers, doctors and caregivers from around the globe and ends Tuesday.
“We know so much about Alzheimer’s, but we just can’t seem to fit all the pieces together,” said William Thies, Ph.D., vice president of Medical and Scientific Affairs for the Alzheimer’s Association. “It’s clear from the Congress that we’ve come a long way, but still have a miles to go before we reach a cure.”
Experimental Vaccine
The $50 million for the National Institutes of Health is tobuild on preliminary findings made public last week at the Congress about thesearch for a vaccine against the progressive, degenerative braindisease that afflicts 4 million Americans. The aging of the babyboom generation will push the total to 14 million by 2050, according to the association.
Chris Jennings, White House health policy adviser, explained thatCongress is certain to fund at least this much Alzheimer'sresearch, based on President Clinton's budget request and thepopularity of the issue.
