Trump administration slashes jobs at Alzheimer's research center
- The Trump administration has recently laid off about ten percent of the staff at the National Institutes of Health's Alzheimer’s center, including significant researchers.
- These layoffs, including that of the incoming director, have raised alarms about the potential setbacks in dementia research.
- Expert analyses suggest that undermining this research facility could severely affect the search for effective Alzheimer’s treatments.
In February 2025, the Trump administration implemented significant layoffs at the National Institutes of Health's Center for Alzheimer's and Related Dementias (CARD), a crucial facility dedicated to dementia research. Approximately ten percent of the nearly 100 staff members were affected, with notable terminations including Kendall Van Keuren-Jensen, who was to become the acting director. These firings raised concerns among scientists and researchers who expressed that the downsizing could severely hinder progress in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's research, especially given the center's established infrastructure and contributions to the field. Experts warned that losing key personnel could set back efforts to develop new treatments for millions of American patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease. The discussions surrounding these layoffs highlighted the contrasting priorities within the government regarding health research funding, especially amidst a backdrop of broader personnel cuts across federal health agencies. This discontent was notably echoed by members of Congress who had previously advocated for increased funding for Alzheimer's research, emphasizing the long-term financial and social costs associated with neglecting such vital health initiatives.