Foundation for Alzheimer's research awards record 5m euros to projects

The Belgian foundation for Alzheimer's research has awarded a record amount of more than 5 million euros to 23 research projects. The projects focus on new therapies, better diagnostics and a deeper understanding of Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.
Stopalzheimer funds scientific research into the causes, prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. The 23 winning projects were selected after a thorough international evaluation process by independent experts and Stopalzheimer's Scientific Advisory Board. The jury assessed each dossier on its scientific quality and potential impact on patients and their loved ones.
“This record amount reflects a growing awareness in society of the enormous impact of Alzheimer's,” said 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."
Thirteen projects, proposed by established researchers, each receive a grant of 300,000 euros for a three-year research period. In addition, Emanuela Pasciuto from the University of Antwerp gets an extra grant of 50,000 euros as the winner of the Young Researcher Award. Ten projects proposed by young researchers receive a grant of 110,000 euros for a two-year research period.
Many of the projects will be carried out at KU Leuven and VIB-KU Leuven, reaffirming Leuven's status as an international hotspot for dementia research. Professor Koen Van Laere of KU Leuven receives 300,000 euros for a project using ultra-high-resolution PET scans to visualise the earliest brain changes in Alzheimer's disease.
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