Authors: K. S. Kosik, T. J. Sejnowski, M. E. Raichle, A. Ciechanover, D. Baltimore

In this article, the authors discuss the lack of progress in funding a cure for Alzheimer’s, and explore the need for more basic, fundamental research that will first build our understanding of how cells behave. They describe the path taken by cancer research, which moved from “taking potshots” to a much more successful “bottom-up, mechanism-based approach using newly acquired genetic knowledge.”

The article also describes the funding path for such a research effort for understanding neurodegeneration, and the role of philanthropic donors. The article mentions the Science Philanthropy Alliance, which “helps philanthropists find a route to support basic scientific endeavors at any level.”