Washington, D.C., May 15, 2025 — During two congressional budget hearings held yesterday, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kennedy continued his incorrect and dangerous fabrications about the state of Alzheimer’s and dementia research. The Alzheimer’s Association is calling on him to stop.
In his testimony before the House Labor HHS Appropriations Subcommittee, Sec. Kennedy said, “For 20 years…we were directing Alzheimer’s research to one hypothesis. And any other hypotheses were shut down.” This is demonstrably false.
In reality, over the most recent 10 years available (2014-2023), less than 14% of new National Institutes of Health (NIH) Alzheimer’s projects focused on amyloid beta as the therapeutic target. Thanks to bipartisan support for Alzheimer’s and dementia research funding, scientists at the NIH have been able to explore a wide area of research. This includes projects addressing therapeutic targets such as Tau, inflammation and metabolic pathways. As of September 2024, the National Institute on Aging was investing in 495 pharmacological and non-pharmacological trials. To state that Alzheimer’s research is focused on amyloid to the exclusion of other targets is clearly wrong.
In addition, extensive research is underway to uncover ways to prevent Alzheimer’s and other dementia. Identifying methods of prevention could save millions of lives and greatly reduce health care costs for families, Medicare and Medicaid.
In his testimony, Sec. Kennedy also said, “We should have the cure for Alzheimer’s today. We don’t have it purely because of corruption at NIH.” Sec. Kennedy owes an apology to the millions of Americans who have lost a loved one to Alzheimer’s disease. Implying that their loved ones would be alive today if not for “corruption” is not based in any reality, is false and is cruel.
The dementia research community is a dedicated, passionate, and, most importantly, evidence-driven community. Yes, it is true that a handful of dementia researchers were found to have engaged in fraud resulting in a small number of studies that cannot be relied upon. However, these studies in question were not pivotal, contrary to how they have recently been portrayed, and subsequent research did not depend on them. Soon after publication other researchers were unable to replicate the results. Just as should happen, the field quickly moved on building upon replicable studies.
In fact, the “amyloid hypothesis” is based on a robust body of replicated scientific evidence. Amyloid treatment candidates have steadily improved in efficacy over more than a decade as advancements were made in understanding of the disease pathology, more accurate trial participant enrollment, earlier initiation of treatment, improving dosing strategies, and other factors. As a result of this progress, the two treatments available to patients today have demonstrated their effectiveness in rigorous phase 3 clinical trials, bringing meaningful benefits to patients.
Importantly, during the two budget hearings, members from both sides of the aisle highlighted the importance of biomedical research, retaining America’s leadership on scientific innovation, and continuing to build momentum in the fight against Alzheimer’s and other dementia. Among highlighted initiatives were proven public health programs like the bipartisan BOLD Act, which Congress unanimously reauthorized last Congress.
During the Senate HELP Committee hearing, long-time Alzheimer’s champion, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) raised concerns about recent staff cuts at HHS.
“I am the author of a law that’s known as the BOLD Act. It takes a public health approach to Alzheimer’s that educates providers, promotes earlier diagnosis, it helps caregivers and it also promotes lifestyle changes. I have worked very hard to make sure that HHS has the resources to carry out this law…I’m concerned [about] the reductions in force… For example the Healthy Aging branch, which administers the BOLD Act for Alzheimer’s, it has lost all of its staff. So, how can you ensure that the CDC continues to implement the BOLD Act and the Alzheimer’s programs under it when all of the staff responsible for that administration have either been placed on administrative leave or let go?” asked Sen. Collins.
In response Sec. Kennedy acknowledged, “I don’t know enough about that program.”
Noting his own family’s connection to Alzheimer’s, Sec. Kennedy committed to working with Sen. Collins on BOLD. “On that budget line, I will work with you,” said Sec. Kennedy.
The Alzheimer’s Association stands ready to meet with Sec. Kennedy and HHS to discuss the critical value of BOLD and how it can implement effective Alzheimer’s interventions and improve brain health in communities across the nation.
On behalf of the over 7 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s, the Alzheimer’s Association is calling on Sec. Kennedy to stop spreading these harmful Alzheimer’s myths, and preserve the nation’s investment in Alzheimer’s research so we can accelerate, not stop, scientific progress on diagnosis, prevention, treatments, and eventually cures.
Read the Association and the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement’s (AIM) past statements on the importance of preserving our nation’s investment in the fight against Alzheimer’s and other dementia:
- Moving Our Mission Forward (Feb. 24, 2025)
- Bipartisan Support for Alzheimer’s and Dementia Research During Senate HELP Committee (March 5, 2025)
- Alzheimer’s Association Sounding the Alarm Over the Threat of Elimination of Alzheimer’s Programs at HHS, CDC (April 1, 2025)
- Strong Bipartisan Support for Continued Investment in Alzheimer’s Research on Full Display During Senate Appropriations Hearing (April 30, 2025)
- Alzheimer’s Association Statement on Trump Administration Proposed FY26 Budget (May 2, 2025)
- Alzheimer’s Association and Alzheimer’s Impact Movement Statement on Proposed Changes to Medicaid (May 12, 2025)
