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Province Commits Funding to Alzheimer's Research

By 250 News

The provincial government is providing $15 million in funding for the Pacific Alzheimer Research Foundation to support new research aimed at eliminating Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

Premier Gordon Campbell made the announcement noting 2006 is the 100th anniversary of the first identification of what we now know as Alsheimer's disease. "“This is an investment not just in the search for a cure and better treatments for Alzheimer’s but also in the search for a better life for the thousands of British Columbians and their families who struggle with this debilitating disease” 

The new Pacific Alzheimer Research Foundation will actively solicit leading scientists to apply for grants to conduct research in finding ways of preventing or arresting Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

“This is the best news that patients suffering from dementing diseases and their families have ever had. We hope that this initiative will be duplicated across our nation and around the world,” said Dr. Patrick McGeer, director of the Pacific Alzheimer Research Foundation. 

The Alzheimer Society of Canada estimates 435,000 Canadians over age 65 are currently suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia.  That number is expected to exceed 750,000 within 25 years. Another 97,000 new cases are expected to be diagnosed this year alone. There are no approved treatments that will arrest the progression of Alzheimer’s and it is estimated the annual cost of Alzheimer’s to Canada is over $5 billion per year.



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