Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers

Advancing Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias

NIA-funded Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers (ADRCs) work to translate research advances into improved diagnosis and care, as well as find ways to treat and possibly prevent Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

About the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers
Funding
ADRC Directory
Recommendations of the Expert Panel
Resources
In the News

About the ADRCs

The National Institute on Aging funds Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers (ADRCs) at major medical institutions across the United States. Researchers at these Centers are working to translate research advances into improved diagnosis and care for people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, as well as to find ways to treat and possibly prevent these diseases.

The NIA ADRCs are NIH Centers of Excellence. Established in 1984, the ADRCs were the first of only six such centers to be mandated by statute.

Areas of investigation range from the basic mechanisms of disease to managing the symptoms and helping families cope with the effects. ADRC researchers conduct basic, clinical, translational, and behavioral research and train scientists.

Although each center has its own area of emphasis, the ADRCs also enhance research on Alzheimer’s disease as a network that shares new research ideas and approaches as well as data (through the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center), biological samples (through NCRAD) and genetic information (through ADGC). The network also provides an infrastructure to facilitate NIA signature programs like ADNI and the Alzheimer’s Clinical Trials Consortium.

For patients and families affected by Alzheimer’s disease, the ADRCs offer:

Help with obtaining diagnosis and medical management
Information about the disease, services, and resources
Outreach to include diverse populations in research opportunities, including clinical trials and research registries
Support groups and other special programs for volunteers and their families

Resources for ADRCs

NIA/ADEAR Support: Here’s a handy summary of the many ways NIA and ADEAR can support your efforts with research, education, and outreach resources, including online content, searchable databases, print materials, videos, social media, infographics, e-alerts, and more.

Recruitment: ADORE, the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Outreach, Recruitment, and Engagement Resources, is a repository of materials submitted by ADRCs and other organizations to support recruitment and retention of participants into clinical trial and studies. ADORE includes recruitment plans, videos, toolkits and guides, brain donation resources, research articles, and more. You can also go here to share new materials with your colleagues using an easy online form.

Brain Donation: For communication tips and frequently asked questions on brain donation see brain donation resources.

Other resources: