A record €5 million has been awarded to 23 research projects investigating Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, announced by the Belgian foundation Stopalzheimer at a ceremony in Leuven. The funding aims to accelerate the development of new therapies, improve diagnostic tools, and deepen our understanding of these debilitating conditions.
The projects were selected following a rigorous evaluation process conducted by independent international experts and Stopalzheimer’s Scientific Advisory Board, who assessed each proposal based on its scientific merit and potential impact on patients and their families. This substantial investment reflects a growing societal awareness of the profound impact of Alzheimer’s disease, according to Joost Martens, director of Stopalzheimer.
“Today, we are investing in ideas that could make a difference tomorrow: from early detection to new treatments that can slow down or even stop the disease,” Martens stated.
Funding Breakdown and Research Focus
The funding is distributed across two categories of researchers. Thirteen established researchers will receive grants of €300,000 each over a three-year period. Emanuela Pasciuto from the University of Antwerp was awarded an additional €50,000 as the winner of the Young Researcher Award. Ten projects led by young researchers will receive €110,000 each for a two-year research period.
A significant portion of the funded projects will be conducted at KU Leuven and VIB-KU Leuven, solidifying Leuven’s position as a leading international center for dementia research. One example is a project led by Prof. Koen Van Laere of KU Leuven, which will utilize ultra-high-resolution PET scans to visualize the earliest brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease. This early detection focus is crucial, as interventions are often more effective when initiated at the earliest stages of the disease.
The Growing Burden of Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for approximately 70% of cases in Belgium. An estimated 200,000 people in Belgium currently suffer from dementia, with around 6% of those affected being under the age of 65. Alarmingly, Alzheimer’s is also the leading cause of death in the country.
The disease is characterized by the progressive loss of brain cells and the disruption of connections between them, leading to memory loss and cognitive decline. However, the underlying causes of Alzheimer’s remain incompletely understood, partly due to challenges in sharing patient data for collaborative research, a hurdle the Translate-AD project is attempting to overcome.
Collaborative Efforts to Enhance Research
Researchers are actively working to address these challenges through collaborative initiatives. A three-year research and development project, called Translate-AD, is developing a unique digital ecosystem for the secure exchange of patient data and expertise. This multi-center project, involving Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), UZ Brussel, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Hôpital Erasme, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL), and Cliniques Universitaires St Luc, represents the first time such a collaboration has been established across communities, involving three universities. The project received €2.8 million in funding from Innoviris, the Brussels agency for research and innovation.
The goal of Translate-AD is to facilitate safer and more efficient data sharing, ultimately leading to earlier and more accurate diagnoses and treatments. Researchers hope to identify biomarkers – measurable indicators of disease – that can predict an individual’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s or track the progression of the disease.
Broader European Research Landscape
The funding from Stopalzheimer is part of a broader European effort to combat dementia. Research projects funded by the EU have been mapped by Alzheimer Europe, revealing a diverse range of investigations into the complexities of dementia. For example, the STAGED project (Stress and the aging brain) explored the interplay between genetic susceptibility, aging, and psychosocial stress on early dementia symptoms, combining research fields like Epidemiology, Genetics, Psychology, and Cognitive Neuroscience.
EU-Israel research collaboration has also yielded significant advancements, with Israeli entities participating in over 3,000 approved projects since 1996. These collaborations have focused on areas like ICT, water, and health, contributing to boundary-pushing innovation worldwide.
Future Directions and Hope for Patients
The €5 million investment by Stopalzheimer represents a significant step forward in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. By supporting innovative research and fostering collaboration, these projects offer hope for the development of more effective treatments and improved quality of life for individuals and families affected by this devastating condition. The focus on early detection, biomarker identification, and collaborative data sharing promises to accelerate progress in understanding and ultimately conquering Alzheimer’s disease.
