First of all, let us remember that Alzheimer’s disease (and related diseases) is a neurodegenerative pathology which progressively affects cognitive functions such as memory, language and reasoning.
Currently no medication treats this pathology. Even if some people move things forward…
« In France, there are five researchers on cancer compared to just one on Alzheimer’s disease. Treatments for cancer have evolved enormously in recent years.
It is time for us to move forward on neurodegenerative diseases, which are developing with the aging of the population” indicates in the preamble Jean-Luc Angélis, director of the Alzheimer Research Foundation which announces itself as being the “first private financier in France” .
Unfortunately, as we know, public funds are not enough to finance the very costly research into neurodegenerative diseases. And given the country’s finances, this is unlikely to improve in the years to come.
As such, in 2024, thanks to the funds raised, 4 million euros made it possible to finance seven new hopeful projects, selected by the FRA European Scientific Committee.
These projects are currently underway and should make it possible to:
- Have more reliable tools for the early diagnosis of Lewy body disease,
- Better identify biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease,
- Support research into the complex mechanisms of pathology (notably cellular aging) in Alzheimer’s disease,
- Contribute to developing innovative treatments (gene therapy).
Beyond funding research, this year, the FRA went to meet the French during 14 meetings across the four corners of the metropolis and in Reunion, during the Alzheimer Interviews.
Meetings that allow you to learn more about neurodegenerative diseases: how to detect them? how to support a sick person? where is the research? what are the hopes for the years to come?
Important point: these meetings are also an opportunity for caregivers to meet each other and discuss their daily lives and difficulties, and for local stakeholders to present the assistance and services available.
What’s still to come for 2025
« For 2025, the ambitions of the Alzheimer Research Foundation are to accelerate research into neurodegenerative diseases by funding more young researchers to sustainably boost the Alzheimer’s sector.
To do this, we are going to launch a major system to double and then triple support for tomorrow’s researchers. Of course, like last year, we will launch a new call for projects in September 2025 to select the most promising programs of excellence » further specifies Jean-Luc Angélis, Director of the Alzheimer Research Foundation.
In addition, since 2011, the FRA has awarded the European Research Grand Prize each year in order to reward the best European researchers and encourage European synergies.
A prize of 100,000 euros is then awarded to an excellent researcher. This prize is awarded during the Gala organized at the Olympia. This year, the meeting will be March 17, 2025.
Finally, the Foundation will resume its tour of France of Alzheimer Interviews in 12 to 15 cities in order to be able to support more and more French people in their daily lives with this disease.
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