accelerate discovery

Alzheimer's Disease

IU School of Medicine is committed to finding a cure for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.

What is Alzheimer's disease?

A national resource for Alzheimer's disease research

Indiana University School of Medicine leads a comprehensive program in Alzheimer's disease research spanning basic, translational and clinical research, focused on optimizing clinical care for patients with Alzheimer's disease. The school, ranked No. 6 in the nation for National Institute of Aging research, received $87 million in National Institutes of Health grants to fund Alzheimer's disease research. From developing the next generation of animal models and testing potential therapeutics to working alongside clinical research participants and patients in the state's largest health system, IU School of Medicine has a rich research program and expertise widely recognized around the world.

100+

faculty dedicated to researching dementia

$87 million

in NIH funding for Alzheimer's research

6th

in the nation for NIA grants

Basic and Preclinical Science

Basic scientists research the neurobiology and molecular genetics of Alzheimer’s disease to define disease mechanisms using animal models, identify therapeutic targets, rigorously test drugs and create molecules for potential drugs.

a clinician meets with a clinical trial participant

Clinical and Translational Science

Researchers in clinical and translational science test new methods to diagnose, treat and prevent Alzheimer’s disease, and advancing this research into improved diagnosis and care for patients living with the disease.

a patient receives an infusion of medication

Clinical Innovation

Researchers in clinical and translational science test new methods to diagnose, treat and prevent Alzheimer’s disease, and advancing this research into improved diagnosis and care for patients living with the disease.

an investigator and a lab technician work together

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

bruce lamb and alan palkowitz sit at a table for a portrait

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

three researchers in white coats in a biobank

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

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

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

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