Remarks come during 2025 AIM Advocacy Forum
Washington, D.C., June 10, 2025 — National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya affirmed his commitment to advancing progress in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia during a Senate budget hearing Tuesday.
“I am fully committed to making progress, scientific progress, on Alzheimer’s. I know all too well from my own research work, and from friends and family members, the devastating toll of this disease,” said Bhattacharya.
His remarks came before a room filled with Alzheimer’s Association and Alzheimer’s Impact Movement (AIM) advocates attending the hearing, which was held during the 2025 Alzheimer’s Impact Movement Advocacy Forum.
“On behalf of Americans impacted by dementia, we appreciate Director Bhattacharya acknowledging our advocates in attendance at today’s hearing and for his testimony,” said Joanne Pike, DrPH, president and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association. “The Alzheimer’s Association is looking forward to working with him and Congress to accelerate — not stop — decades of progress on this devastating disease.”
Tuesday’s was the latest hearing of the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, where bipartisan support for sustained federal investment in Alzheimer’s and dementia research was on full display.
“We are immensely grateful to our bipartisan congressional champions for their steadfast commitment to advancing Alzheimer’s research, which has and will continue to make a meaningful impact in the lives of Americans,” continued Pike.
Lawmakers from both parties shared their personal experiences with Alzheimer’s and thanked our advocates for their dedication. Perhaps most importantly for the research community, multiple members asked Dr. Bhattacharya about pauses and delays in grant funding being issued, including for Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers (ADRC) across the nation. Members also raised concerns about proposed cuts at the NIH and reaffirmed their commitment to the Alzheimer’s and dementia community.
