image credit- livescience.com
As part of its Diagnostics Accelerator research program, the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) has announced a new initiative that aims to fast-track the development of digital tools for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
Digital tools may allow the remote capture of changes in a patient's physical and mental status at various stages of Alzheimer's disease. Information gathered can span from cognitive assessments to motor ability to sleep disruptions.
The Diagnostics Accelerator program was created in July 2018 with initial funding commitments totaling nearly $35 million from partners including ADDF Co-Founder Leonard Lauder, Bill Gates, the Dolby family, and the Charles and Helen Schwab Foundation, among others, to develop novel biomarkers for the early detection of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
Since its inception, the Diagnostics Accelerator program has welcomed additional funders such as The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration. The latest to join this coalition of philanthropists include Jeff and MacKenzie Bezos, bringing the current program funding to nearly $50 million.
