CONTACT: Sarah Oliver, 651.296.5956, sarah.oliver@senate.

mn

Senator Carla Nelson

District 26 - Serving Olmsted County

Office: 117 State Office Bldg., Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155

May 18, 2015
For Immediate Release

Alzheimers Research and Support Act Receives

Funding for Competitive Grants
St. Paul, Minn. -- The Alzheimers Research and Support Act has received funding for two
types of competitive grants through the Higher Education Omnibus bill and the Health and
Human Services Omnibus bill.
I am extremely pleased that Minnesota has taken the next step in research of this insidious
disease, said Senator Carla Nelson (R-Rochester). Minnesota is home to internationally
recognized Alzheimers research centers like Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota. We
have the research infrastructure in place and can lead in finding Alzheimers prevention
strategies, treatments and cures, added Senator Nelson.
Currently about 100,000 Minnesotans have Alzheimers. By the age of 65, one in nine people
has Alzheimers or a related dementia. By 85, that number is one in three. The number of
sufferers is set to skyrocket nationwide because every day for the next 19 years, 10,000 baby
boomers will turn 65. Minnesota is facing a tsunami of Alzheimers patients and only research
can change the trajectory of this disease, added Senator Nelson.
On May 17th both chambers of the Legislature passed the Higher Ed Omnibus bill that
appropriated $1 million per biennium for competitive research grants to be managed by the
Minnesota Partnership for Biotechnical and Medical Genomics between the University of
Minnesota and Mayo Clinic.
Both chambers also passed funding for dementia grants in the Health and Human Services
Omnibus bill. These statewide, regional and local grants will help create dementia-capable
communities, connect caregivers with resources and promote early diagnosis. said Senator
Nelson.
The heartbreak of watching a loved one struggle with Alzheimers and other dementia is a pain
many of us know all too well, said Senator Nelson. In addition Alzheimers costs create
enormous strain on our healthcare system and significantly burdens family, state and federal
budgets. Research and support for caregivers can help reduce the heartache and financial
burdens of this disease. concluded Sen. Nelson
Co-authors of the Alzheimers Research and Support Act are Senators Pappas (DFL-St. Paul),
Sheran (DFL-Mankato), Cohen (DFL-St. Paul) and Rosen (R- Vernon Center).

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