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Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias

Dementia is a general term to describe a person experiencing memory loss, language and problem solving difficulties, and other cognitive decline that negatively impacts their life. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting an estimated 6.2 million Americans over 65. Other forms of dementia include Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB), Parkinson’s Disease Dementia, Vascular Dementia, Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD), and Huntington’s Disease. Dementia is not a normal part of aging, though it primarily impacts older adults.

Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for dementia. But there are treatments available to alleviate and manage the symptoms of dementia, such as behavioral changes and anxiety. Accordingly, we must have a healthcare system that provides adequate care and support for people living with dementia and their families.

If you want to learn more about dementia research and clinical trials, we encourage you to visit Alzheimers.gov’s clinical trial finder page. The webpage provides resources for helping patients better understand clinical research and identify trials for which participation may be appropriate. 

The Alliance for Aging Research works on several projects to address current obstacles in the lack of treatments for dementia and adequate care for this patient group.

ACT-AD

Founded in 2005, the Accelerate Cure/Treatments for All Dementias (ACT-AD) Coalition is a group of more than 50 national nonprofit organizations, chaired by the Alliance for Aging Research, urgently working to speed up the development of potential cures and more effective treatments for all dementias.

Project PAUSE

Project PAUSE (Psychoactive Appropriate Use for Safety and Effectiveness) is an ad hoc coalition of national patient and professional organizations collectively addressing long-term care clinical regulatory and legislative issues. Project PAUSE provides educational opportunities for policymakers and the public on practical solutions to improve clinical care in long-term care settings and improve the diagnosis and management of neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) of dementia.

ACT-AD logo.
Leaders Engaged on Alzheimer's Disease logo.

Videos on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias

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Shake the Stigma of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms, Explained in 30 Seconds

Diseases and injuries that damage the brain can impact how we interact with the world and lead to significant and…

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Watch video

Shake the Stigma of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms, Explained in 60 Seconds

Diseases and injuries that damage the brain can impact how we interact with the world and lead to significant and…

more.
Watch video

Discussing Mental Health with Geriatric Neuropsychiatrist Dr. Dilip Jeste for This is Growing Old

May is Mental Health Awareness Month as well as Older Americans Month. This critical intersection implores us to explore emotional…

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The Healthy Aging Blog on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias

United States Capitol Building with American flag.

Congress to Medicare: Alzheimer’s Treatments Should Be Covered

Jay Reinstein gives remarks at the 2023 AIM Advocacy Forum Dinner.

Alliance Board Member Honored by Alzheimer’s Association

12 Days of Misgivings About the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review’s Recent Draft Report on Alzheimer’s Disease

USAgainstAlzheimer’s Shares FAQs About their Important BrainGuide Tool

This is Growing Old

News and Updates on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias

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Ways to Give

There are many ways you can help accelerate the pace of scientific discoveries and their application to vastly improve the universal human experience of aging and health: