Alzheimer's Association, Senate Champions Refute HHS Secretary Kennedy's Misinformation Head On During Tense Budget Hearing

The recent Senate budget hearing with Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. exposed a concerning disconnect between established scientific consensus and administration messaging regarding the state of Alzheimer disease (AD) research funding and direction.

While senators from both parties demonstrated continued support for dementia research investments, Kennedy's testimony included statements that clinical researchers may find troubling in their implications for future research priorities.

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During his testimony, Kennedy characterized National Institutes of Health (NIH) Alzheimer research efforts as fundamentally misdirected, stating, "NIH really went off the rails on Alzheimer research 20 years ago. One of the favorite researchers, the part of the old boys club at NIH, developed a hypothesis that Alzheimer's was, the cause, was caused by amyloid plaque buildups. After that, NIH suppressed any science — refused to fund any science."

Data Contradict Claims

This characterization conflicts with documented funding patterns and the diversity of current research approaches being pursued by the scientific community, a point underscored by the Alzheimer's Association's Chief Science Officer Maria C. Carrillo, PhD, who delivered a response.

"Dementia scientists have been conducting wide-ranging research to discover new ways to prevent and treat Alzheimer's and other dementia," Carrillo said. "I implore Sec. Kennedy to stop repeating harmful myths about Alzheimer’s research and instead start working with us and our bipartisan congressional champions to accelerate scientific progress in the fight against this devastating disease.”

Carillo pointed to data showing that during the most recent decade (2014-2023), less than 14% of new NIH Alzheimer projects focused specifically on amyloid beta as the therapeutic target. While beta-amyloid accumulation has long been recognized and confirmed by international scientists as a hallmark of AD and will remain a component of NIH-funded research, Kennedy's implication that it has been a dominant focus is unfounded. The continued investigation of multiple pathways reflects the complex, multifactorial nature of Alzheimer's pathogenesis that clinicians observe in practice.

Regulatory Progress

The timing of Kennedy's comments is particularly notable given recent regulatory developments. Last week, the FDA cleared the first blood test for Alzheimer diagnosis that detects amyloid plaques through a simple blood draw, representing a significant advance in diagnostic accessibility for practicing physicians.

Several senators used the hearing to reaffirm their commitment to current research directions. Committee Chair Shelley Moore Capito (R-W Va) specifically defended the scientific foundation of recent therapeutic advances, noting, "NIH-funded research of the amyloid protein led to the development of the FDA-approved Alzheimer drugs in [2023 and 2024] to slow progression of the disease. All this research is extremely important, and I look forward to working with you to continue."

Sen Susan Collins during Senate HELP Committee hearing²

Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) an ardent Alzheimer champion, raised concerns about proposed funding cuts and their impact on established programs, specifically questioning implementation of the Building Our Largest Dementia (BOLD) Infrastructure for Alzheimer's Act. "How and when does HHS plan to issue this notice of funding opportunity so that we can continue what has been a very effective approach to the Healthy Brain Initiative and Centers of Excellence?" Collins asked, highlighting potential disruptions to programs that practicing physicians rely upon for patient resources and referrals.

Clinical Implications

The exchange reveals broader tensions between evidence-based research priorities and current administration preferences that may influence future funding decisions. Robert Egge, the Alzheimer's Association's chief public policy officer, emphasized the public health implications: "Identifying and implementing methods of prevention could save millions of lives and greatly reduce health care costs for families, Medicare and Medicaid."

For clinicians managing patients with cognitive decline, the hearing's implications extend beyond research funding to questions of diagnostic and therapeutic continuity. The scientific community's multipathway approach to Alzheimer's research has yielded both the recently approved disease-modifying therapies and improved diagnostic tools that many physicians now incorporate into clinical practice.

The disconnect between Kennedy's characterization of NIH research priorities and documented funding patterns raises questions about how administrative perspectives on scientific merit may influence future research directions and, ultimately, the development of clinical tools and treatments that physicians depend upon for patient care.

“The Alzheimer’s Association looks forward to continuing to work with our bipartisan congressional champions to uphold the nation’s commitment to addressing Alzheimer’s so we can one day achieve our vision of a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia,” Egge stated.

References
1. Strong bipartisan support for Alzheimer's and dementia research reaffirmed during senate budget hearing. News release. Alzheimer's Association. May 20, 2025. Accessed May 28, 2025. https://www.alz.org/news/2025/bipartisan-support-dementia-research-senate-budget
2. Contrary to clear, verifiable facts, Secretary Kennedy continues to repeat harmful myths about Alzheimer's and dementia research. News release. Alzheimer's Association. May 15, 2025. Accessed May 28, 2025. https://www.alz.org/news/2025/kennedy-harmful-myths-alzheimers-dementia-research