(Wellesley, MA) – February 27, 2018 –Cure Alzheimer’s Fund, a non-profit dedicated to funding the most promising research to prevent, slow or reverse Alzheimer’s disease, announced today that the organization distributed $15.7 million in research grants to scientists around the world in 2017.

The Wellesley-based non-profit saw growth in research spending in 2017, both in terms of the research dollars expended and number of projects funded. A total of 67 projects were distributed throughout the year. Since its founding in 2004, Cure Alzheimer’s Fund has surpassed $67 million in research spending and funded more than 300 projects.

“We are fortunate to work with the world’s leading scientists who are passionate about finding a solution and eradicating Alzheimer’s disease,” said Tim Armour, President and CEO of Cure Alzheimer’s Fund. “The increase in the number of projects and grants demonstrates that there is much more work to be done. Every day, Cure Alzheimer’s Fund is giving resources to innovative research that gets us that much closer to finding a cure, developing effective treatment options, and creating successful prevention strategies.”

Projects funded in 2017 included:

• A consortium of 6 researchers from 5 institutions who will study the APOE gene. The scientists include Dr. David Holtzman of Washington University and Dr. Paul Greengard, Nobel Laureate, of Rockefeller University.
• A continuation of the Alzheimer’s Genome Project led by Dr. Rudy Tanzi of Massachusetts Hospital.
• New investigations into the cause of sex-based differences in Alzheimer’s disease.

Also in 2017, Cure Alzheimer’s Fund launched WomenandAlzheimers.org to provide women with information dedicated to the struggle with this devastating illness. Women develop Alzheimer’s disease at twice the rate of men, and by the age of 75 a woman is three times more likely to have Alzheimer’s than a man.

“We have gained a much better understanding of Alzheimer’s disease, and the projects funded in 2017 will continue to build on our knowledge leading to strategies to prevent and treat Alzheimer’s disease,” said Dr. Rudy Tanzi, Chair of Cure Alzheimer’s Fund’s Research Leadership Group.