History & Mission
Our Mission
Under the leadership of Dr. Teresa Gomez Isla, our Center’s mission remains steadfast to the original program objectives and scope of the original Call for Application from the National Institute on Aging:
To support new research and to enhance ongoing research by providing core support to bring together behavioral, biomedical, and clinical science investigators in a manner that will enrich the effectiveness of Alzheimer disease research and ultimately, improve health care delivery…to foster three related functions: Conducting multi-disciplinary research; training scientists and clinicians; and teaching and/or transferring new information concerning Alzheimer disease and related disorders.

Support Our Search for a Cure
The Massachusetts Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center is at the forefront of dementia research and care but our innovations in basic, translational/clinical research and commitment to bring insights from ‘bench to bedside’ also depend on the support of generous donors, patients and their families, and you.
There are a variety of ways to make a gift to our Center, including making an online gift on our secured website. Our dedicated community of scientists and clinicians are thankful for your interest in our endeavors, and we invite you to support us on the journey.
A Brief Chronicle
The history of the federal Alzheimer’s Disease Centers (ADCs) program began in 1984, when the United States Congress directed the National Institutes of Health and in particular, the National Institute on Aging to pursue further research related to Alzheimer’s disease. The ADC program is authorized by the Public Health Service Act, Section 445 and now includes approximately thirty of such specialized research centers throughout the United States.
The original five ADCs were based at the following institutions: Harvard University, Mount Sinai Medical School, University of California at San Diego, University of Southern California, and Johns Hopkins University. For an interesting overview of the Alzheimer’s Disease Centers program’s history, please check out the attached Connections newsletter.