BrightFocus Foundation’s VP of Scientific Affairs helped set national research priorities at the federal Alzheimer’s Disease-Related Dementias Summit, influencing how billions in NIH funding will advance dementia research and care.
Written By: BrightFocus Editorial Staff
BrightFocus Foundation’s Vice President of Scientific Affairs, Diane Bovenkamp, PhD, recently served as an invited panelist at the Alzheimer’s Disease-Related Dementias (ADRD) Summit 2025, which addressed research priorities for Alzheimer’s disease-related dementias, including frontotemporal degeneration, Lewy body, multiple etiology dementias, and vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia.
Dr. Bovenkamp participated in the core focus session, “Multiple Etiology Dementias – Basic and Clinical Discovery Research.”
The summit brought together 125 non-federal panelists from academia, clinic, government, industry, nonprofit, and the public sector to address urgent challenges across nine key areas, from advancing biomarker development and therapeutic trials to improving health equity and understanding environmental impacts on dementia risk. Discussions emphasized bridging the gap between scientific breakthroughs and real-world benefits, particularly for underserved communities, and addressing the complexity of mixed pathologies that characterize most dementia cases.
“BrightFocus is helping to lead the way in shaping research priorities that will impact millions of Americans, and, ultimately, nearly 60 million people with dementia around the globe,” said Dr. Bovenkamp. “Being invited to provide input on the National Plan recognizes BrightFocus Foundation’s expertise and commitment to advancing dementia research.”
The summit complements the National Institute on Aging’s (NIA) Alzheimer’s Disease Research Summits and National Research Summit on Care, Services, and Supports for Persons with Dementia and Their Care Partners/Caregivers, which set national research recommendations with timelines that reflect critical scientific priorities for research on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. These committee recommendations inform annual updates to the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease, which addresses the National Alzheimer’s Project Act.
The recommendations from this summit will guide federal AD/ADRD research funding and inform the annual NIH Bypass Budget. Read the full summary report.
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BrightFocus Foundation is a premier global nonprofit funder of research to defeat Alzheimer’s, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. Since its inception more than 50 years ago, BrightFocus and its flagship research programs—Alzheimer’s Disease Research, Macular Degeneration Research, and National Glaucoma Research—has awarded more than $300 million in research grants to scientists around the world, catalyzing thousands of scientific breakthroughs, life-enhancing treatments, and diagnostic tools. We also share the latest research findings, expert information, and resources to empower the millions impacted by these devastating diseases. Learn more at brightfocus.org.
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