Fattah Expands International Neuroscience Agenda in Meeting with Head of World Dementia Council

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA) met today on Capitol Hill with Dr. Dennis Gillings, head of the World Dementia Council, to advance their joint mission to find cures, treatments, and new drugs that will help the millions across the world that suffer from dementia.

Fattah and Dr. Gillings, who was appointed as the World Dementia Envoy by the UK Prime Minister earlier this year, discussed their commitment to bringing world leaders together to fight the disease and set out a series of three priorities where they can take immediate action. Joining the meeting were Jon Rouse, Director General for Social Care at the UK Department of Health, and Alzheimer's advocate George Vradenburg, co-founder of USAgainstAlzheimer's, a community of activists committed to advancing federal policy and research with a goal of ending Alzheimer's by 2020.

They agreed that the United States and other countries must work together to expand open collaboration on dementia research and clinical trials in order to create a bigger data set for worldwide use. Gillings and Rouse, said the impact of such a resource would be "tremendous."

Additionally, the Council committed to exploring the formation of an international parliamentary group that would help increase the sustainability of global political leadership committed to dementia.

Dr. Gillings stressed that in order to alleviate what could be a $20 trillion worldwide economic drain, significant steps must be taken in the next 10 years to strengthen research capabilities and enable disease modification. He said that waiting 30 to 40 years to make these inroads will be a setback, both economically and for the millions of dementia patients, including those at-risk of being diagnosed with the disease.

Fattah also shared his efforts on creating a Global Alzheimer's Fund, inviting the Council to join in advancing its creation. The Fund would engage international partners in a comprehensive Alzheimer's strategy, modeled after the successful Global Aids Fund.

"The growing toll of Alzheimer's and other dementias is a worldwide threat that no country can solve independently—it requires a coordinated, dedicated strategy that engages committed leaders and countries from around the globe. The World Dementia Council is making great strides in garnering international advocacy and support for the mission we all share: to successfully develop treatments and a cure for dementia ," Congressman Fattah said. "I am impressed with Dr. Gillings' vision and commitment to international collaboration and look forward to a strong, continued partnership with the Council."

Dr. Gillings thanked Congressman Fattah personally for the work of the Fattah Neuroscience Initiative, especially his commitment in Congress to increasing funding levels and strengthening the coordination of the United States' approach to brain research through the National Science Foundation (NSF), White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and other national science agencies.

Today's meeting continues Fattah's efforts to increase the country's international partnerships on brain research. As the Senior Democrat Appropriator responsible for NSF funding, Congressman Fattah has fought to make neuroscience a national priority and has been successful in boosting the amount of federal funding directed to brain research.

www.fattah.house.gov

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SOURCE Office of Congressman Chaka Fattah