October 4, 2013 - Professor Dmitry Goldgaber was one of a select group of experts who met at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research on September 23 to advise U.S. Representative Steve Israel and State Assemblyman Charles Lavine about priorities for research into the causes and cures for Alzheimer’s Disease. New York state Assemblyman Lavine is the sponsor of a bill (A08140) currently being considered in the legislature which would authorize the sale of $1 billion in bonds for the sole purpose of supporting Alzheimer’s research in the state of New York over the next 10 years.
Dr. Goldgaber is a member of the newly formed Long Island Alzheimer’s Disease Consortium which includes prominent researchers from across Long Island, including five members of the Stony Brook University faculty. The consortium was formed at the suggestion of Representative Israel to promote an environment that fosters the discovery of new strategies for prevention and treatment.
It is estimated that the number of people age 65 and older with Alzheimer’s will nearly triple by 2050 while costs for their care will increase from the current annual $200 billion to $1.2 trillion. At the meeting Mr. Israel noted that despite the huge costs of Alzheimer’s Disease, federal funding for research related to it is approximately $400 million a year, compared with almost $6 billion for cancer research.
“The level of support that would by made available be Assemblyman Lavine’s bill would accelerate the pace of Alzheimer’s research significantly, especially in New York State” Dr. Goldgaber said. “We have many new tools to use in our search for ways to prevent and cure Alzheimer’s Disease, but we need the financial support necessary to apply them. New York state will became the leader in Alzheimer research.”
