Funders in the US, Canada and the UK have offered nearly $2m to advance research into progressive neurodegenerative diseases as part of an expanded partnership.
The Biomarkers Across Neurodegenerative Diseases (BAND) programme is a joint initiative of the Alzheimer’s Association and The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research in the US, the Weston Brain Institute in Canada and Alzheimer’s Research UK, which joins as the programme makes a second round of research grant awards available.
Nearly $2m (£1.3m) is to be offered for projects investigating the connection in the biology and clinical symptoms of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and other brain deteriorating diseases.
Dr Simon Ridley, head of Alzheimer’s Research UK, commented: “Alzheimer’s Research UK is pleased to be joining this initiative, which we hope provides a vital new understanding of Alzheimer’s and other brain diseases.
“With growing numbers of people affected by neurodegenerative diseases, investment in research is crucial if we are to transform people’s lives. Charities have an important role to play in this fight and we are proud to be part of this collaborative effort to boost global research.”
Projects supported by BAND will compare data across the aforementioned diseases including generic information, brain changes detected through imaging tolls such as MRI scans, and measure relevant symptoms including memory problems or physical tremors.
Mark Fraser, senior VP of research programmes at The Michael J. Fox Foundation, added: “A collaboration such as BAND promotes research efficiency. Expanding investigation beyond a single diagnosis opens the door to new discoveries, which can only benefit drug development and thereby the millions of patients who need new therapies.”
Alzheimer’s Research UK joining to the BAND programme comes just weeks after the charity announced the formation of a £30m drug discovery alliance with three universities in the UK.