Wellcome Leap has announced CARE (Cutting Alzheimer’s Risk through Endocrinology), a USD 50 million program aimed at reducing women’s lifetime risk of Alzheimer’s disease by half. The initiative focuses on the intersection of neuroendocrine risks and neurodegeneration, with the potential to prevent 54.5 million Alzheimer’s cases globally by 2050.
The program addresses a critical gender disparity in Alzheimer’s disease, where women outnumber men approximately 2:1 among those affected. Current statistics show that a 45-year-old woman has a 1 in 5 lifetime risk of developing Alzheimer’s, compared to 1 in 10 for men of the same age. For 65-year-olds, while the risks increase slightly to 21% for women and 11% for men, the ratio remains consistent.
Led by Dr. Lisa Mosconi, a neuroscientist specializing in early detection and risk reduction of Alzheimer’s disease, the program will pursue three main thrust areas:
- Identification of female-specific neuroendocrine targets and therapies for Alzheimer’s risk reduction
- Development of high-affinity brain imaging probes for neuroendocrine function
- Creation of predictive models to halve Alzheimer’s risk in women and deploy risk assessment tools for clinical use
The initiative challenges the traditional view that women’s higher Alzheimer’s rates are simply due to longer life expectancy. Instead, it focuses on emerging evidence linking hormonal changes, particularly during menopause, to increased risk. Research has shown that earlier menopause is consistently associated with higher risk of Alzheimer’s and all-cause dementia, while a longer reproductive span and extended exposure to estrogen appear to be protective factors.
The program emphasizes the importance of the midlife period, noting that Alzheimer’s begins with a lengthy “silent” phase that coincides with menopause in women. This timing presents a critical window for intervention and prevention strategies, particularly through hormonal interventions.
CARE is now accepting research proposals, with abstracts due by March 14, 2025. The program welcomes participants from universities, research institutions, companies of all sizes, and non-profit organizations. Full proposals will be due by April 28, 2025, with final decisions announced on May 28, 2025.
The initiative comes at a crucial time, as Alzheimer’s affects over 55 million individuals globally, with projections reaching 130 million patients by 2050. In the United States alone, successful implementation of the program’s goals could result in USD 4.56 trillion in savings, with potentially greater global impact.
The program will employ an individualized medicine framework, using biomarkers, advanced imaging, and genetic profiling to tailor interventions specifically for women at risk due to neuroendocrine aging. This approach aims to ensure high biomarker accuracy for effective screening while maximizing treatment efficacy and optimizing frequency.
