Alzheimer's in America: can Trump speed research with a new fund?

The article says the U.S. spent about $250 billion on Alzheimer’s care in 2025 while research funding was roughly $4 billion, and it notes recent FDA approvals of three amyloid-targeting drugs with modest trial benefits. It proposes an Operation Warp Speed–style Alzheimer's acceleration fund, roughly $5–10 billion, to hasten preventive and disease‑modifying therapies.

The article reports that the United States spent about $250 billion on Alzheimer's and related dementia care in 2025, while federal research funding was about $4 billion. It notes that three amyloid-targeting monoclonal antibody drugs were approved beginning in 2021 and that the most recent trials showed modest slowing of decline. Researchers now describe Alzheimer's as biologically complex, involving amyloid, tau, vascular injury, inflammation, and metabolic factors. The piece recommends an Operation Warp Speed–style acceleration fund to move preventive and disease-modifying therapies faster, with a suggested budget of about $5–10 billion. Key points: - National spending: about $250 billion on care in 2025 and roughly $4 billion allocated to research through federal agencies. - Recent drug approvals: three monoclonal antibody treatments were approved since 2021; the newer drugs showed modest slowing of decline in trials and have logistical and safety considerations. - Research landscape: researchers now pursue a broader set of targets beyond amyloid; the pipeline includes many novel agents and some promising Phase 2 results. - Policy proposal: the article advocates an OWS-like acceleration fund (estimated $5–10 billion) to support prevention trials, coordinated infrastructure, adaptive designs, and purchasing agreements to reduce risk for developers. Summary: The article frames large public costs and incremental drug progress as rationale for a new federal effort to accelerate Alzheimer's therapies. It describes a proposal for a $5–10 billion, mission‑oriented fund modeled on Operation Warp Speed and outlines possible design elements. Undetermined at this time.