Research

The mission of the Byrd Alzheimer's Research Center is to collaborate with researchers throughout the State of Florida and the wider global research community to develop treatments to cure and prevent this devastating disease.

In the fight against Alzheimer's disease, good ideas often need help to grow. Therefore, the Byrd Alzheimer's Institute provides seed money for research projects of great promise. After an extensive review process by Alzheimer's experts from outside Florida, the Institute this year has awarded grants to 10 new projects and a second year of support to 13 others. Awards given out for fiscal year 2005-2006 total more than $2.2 million and cover a range of very promising investigations.

A Center of Excellence such as the Byrd Alzheimer's Institute is in the best position to encourage the collaborative research that will most quickly lead to new treatments. The expectation is that the results generated from the Institute's initial support will lead to further funding from national agencies such as the National Institutes of Health. Already, Florida scientists have received almost $11 million in new grants because of the seed program. The Byrd Institute is funded by the Florida Legislature to serve as a Center of Excellence and framework to help Florida's scientists work together to find a cure for Alzheimer's.