Topic: Health — R&D
Subject: Health
Date: 2007-03-15 00:00:00

Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act of 2007 - Title I: Increasing the Federal Commitment to Alzheimer's Research - (Sec. 101) Authorizes appropriations for research on Alzheimer's disease, cognitive health, and related disorders for FY2008-FY2012.(Sec. 102) Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institute of Aging (the Institute) to continue to make research related to Alzheimer's disease, cognitive health, and related disorders a priority within the Institute's activities consistent with the peer review process.(Sec. 103) Requires the Director to: (1) increase the emphasis on the need to conduct Alzheimer's disease, cognitive health, and related disorder prevention trials within the National Institutes of Health (NIH); and (2) ensure that Alzheimer's disease, cognitive health, and related disorders are maintained as a high priority for the existing neuroscience institute.(Sec. 104) Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director, to conduct and support cooperative clinical research regarding Alzheimer's disease, cognitive health, and related disorders. Allows such research to include: (1) investigating therapies, interventions, and agents to detect, treat, slow the progression of, or prevent Alzheimer's disease; (2) enhancing the national infrastructure for the conduct of clinical trials; (3) developing and testing novel approaches to the design and analysis of such trials; and (4) enhancing research currently being done on minorities and health disparities.Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director, to conduct research related to the early detection, diagnosis, and prevention of Alzheimer's disease and of mild cognitive impairment or other potential precursors to Alzheimer's disease. Authorizes such research to include the evaluation of diagnostic tests and imaging techniques.Encourages the Director to explore the feasibility of, and scientific opportunities in, research regarding the prevalence and causes of early onset dementia (dementia diagnosed before the age of 65).Encourages the Secretary, acting through the Director, to conduct research related to the relationship of vascular disease and Alzheimer's disease and related disorders.Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director, to place special emphasis on expediting the translation of research findings into effective treatments and prevention strategies for at-risk individuals.Allows the Secretary, acting through the Director, to establish a National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center to facilitate the collaborative research among Alzheimer's Disease Centers and Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers.Includes outcome measures and disease management within the support provided through Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers. (Sec. 105) Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director, to conduct clinical, social, and behavioral research related to interventions designed to help caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders and improve patient outcomes.(Sec. 106) Requires the Secretary to: (1) convene a summit every three years on NIH Alzheimer's disease research; and (2) make publicly available information about NIH research, education, and other activities relating to Alzheimer's disease and other related dementias.Title II: Enhanced Public Health Activities Related to Cognitive Health, Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias - (Sec. 201) Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to conduct, support, and promote the coordination of research, investigations, demonstrations, training, and studies relating to the control, prevention, and surveillance of the risk factors associated with cognitive health, Alzheimer's disease, and related disorders and to seek early recognition and intervention in the course of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. Title III: Assistance for Caregivers - (Sec. 301) Requires the Secretary, acting through the Administration on Aging, to award a cooperative grant to a nonprofit or community-based organization to establish and operate an Alzheimer's Call Center to provide expert advice, care consultation, information, and referrals nationwide at the national and local level regarding Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. (Sec. 302) Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2012 for demonstration project grants to states. Expands such grant program to: (1) provide care consultation to individuals with Alzheimer's disease or related disorders who are living in single family homes or in congregate settings; (2) improve the access of such individuals in frontier areas to long-term care services; and (3) encourage grantees to engage in activities related to coordinating long-term care, educating medical personnel, utilizing research, incorporating best practices, and coordinating with Aging and Disability Resource Centers.