experts in Alzheimer's research

Alzheimer's Disease

IU School of Medicine is committed to ending Alzheimer's disease and related dementias

International leaders in Alzheimer's research

There has never been a more critical time for Alzheimer’s disease research. More than 55 million people worldwide have dementia, a number that is expected to nearly double every 20 years. In the United States alone, an estimated 6.7 million people are living with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias. About one in nine people age 65 or older has Alzheimer's disease and nearly two-thirds of those are women.

Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine are exploring the causes of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, searching for new methods to detect the disease early and discovering the latest advances to slow and prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Neuroscience experts throughout the school collaborate through well-funded national studies with partners in industry and other academic institutions in order to treat, prevent and ultimately cure Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

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Schedule an interview with an IU School of Medicine faculty member or request materials and resources about Alzheimer’s disease research by contacting the IU School of Medicine media relations team.

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100+ faculty dedicated to researching dementia
$87 million in NIH funding for Alzheimer's research
6th in the nation for National Institute of Aging grants
a national resource for alzheimer's research
Liana Apostolova

Understanding early-onset Alzheimer’s disease

IU School of Medicine is leading a nationwide study of a rare and particularly devastating early-onset form of Alzheimer’s that afflicts patients younger than 65 years of age. The Longitudinal Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease Study (LEADS) seeks to understand why some people develop Alzheimer’s disease so early, look for genetic determinants of the disease and track the disease’s progression.

Learn more about LEADS
MODEL-AD researchers

Next generation of laboratory models

The Model Organism Development and Evaluation for Late-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease (MODEL-AD) consortium is developing the next generation of laboratory models used by scientists throughout the United States to study genetic contributors to Alzheimer’s disease and test potential treatments. MODEL-AD animal models represent human Alzheimer’s disease more closely than existing mouse models and accelerate the development of effective therapies for the disease.

Learn more about MODEL-AD

Pipeline to accelerate drug discovery

IU School of Medicine is one of only two institutions selected by the National Institute on Aging to improve, diversify and reinvigorate the Alzheimer’s disease drug development pipeline. The Target Enablement to Accelerate Therapy Development for Alzheimer's Disease (TREAT-AD) works to identify the best drug targets, discover and optimize new molecules for these targets, and conduct early testing to determine if the molecules have potential to be further developed and evaluated in patients.

Learn more about TREAT-AD
NCRAD researchers

National biobank for Alzheimer’s disease samples

The federal government has designated IU School of Medicine as the national site to collect blood, DNA, tissue, spinal fluid and other samples from tens of thousands of people with Alzheimer’s disease across the country. The National Centralized Repository for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (NCRAD) is a central biobank in the United States that enables scientists from around the world to access critically important biological samples for new and ongoing research.

Learn more about NCRAD

Clinical research and patient support

At the forefront of Alzheimer’s disease research for more than 30 years, the Indiana Alzheimer's Disease Research Center is one of only 33 centers in the United States solely committed to Alzheimer’s research. This multidisciplinary program works to translate research advances into improved diagnosis and care for people with Alzheimer’s disease. The center offers resources and information for patients, caregivers and the broader community.

Learn more about the IADRC
the latest news in alzheimer's research
Donna Wilcock, PhD, MS

$3.4 million grant to fund research on brain bleeding, swelling that occurs in quarter of patients who receive Alzheimer’s disease treatments

With the emergence of promising treatments that slow the cognitive decline of Alzheimer’s disease in patients, there are still questions surrounding side effects of the drugs. An Indiana University School of Medicine researcher is among the few neuroscientists investigating these adverse events, which can cause brain swelling and brain bleeding.

IU School of Medicine  |  Feb 14, 2024

Bernardino Ghetti, MD

Protein found in brain linked to frontotemporal dementia

An international team of researchers including experts at the Indiana University School of Medicine has identified a protein found in the brains of people with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), discovering a new target for potential treatments for the disease.

IU School of Medicine  |  Dec 07, 2023