At IU School of Medicine, the Department of Neurology is leading the charge against Alzheimer’s disease through innovative research that bridges the lab and the clinic. Your support empowers teams working to uncover the causes of dementia, improve diagnosis, and accelerate the search for effective therapies.

For example, the Longitudinal Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease Study (LEADS) follows adults ages 40 to 64 to identify early biological markers and pathways of disease progression. This groundbreaking effort, led in part by IU investigators, is revealing critical insights into how and when Alzheimer’s begins.

Researchers use advanced imaging tools and genetic studies to help detect disease before symptoms appear. They explore how blood vessels and inflammation contribute to neurodegeneration, while others investigate how the immune system and brain interact to influence memory and cognition. IU scientists are also pioneering blood-based biomarkers that could make Alzheimer’s diagnoses faster, less invasive, and more accessible worldwide.

These complementary projects are united through IU’s Indiana Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, a nationally recognized hub for discovery, collaboration, and clinical trials. Philanthropic gifts provide flexible funding for pilot studies, new equipment and trainee support—allowing researchers to pursue high-impact ideas that may not yet qualify for federal funding.

Your contribution also helps expand access to advanced care for patients and families across Indiana through IU’s Brain Health programs. With your partnership, IU scientists and clinicians are moving closer to transforming Alzheimer’s from a devastating diagnosis into a treatable condition.

Together, we can turn discovery into hope—for today’s patients and future generations.