The American Heart Association and the Alzheimer's Association have jointly filed an amicus brief in support of the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (DPRIT), a voter-approved initiative to advance research on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The filing comes as litigation has delayed implementation of Proposition 14, which was approved by nearly 70% of Texas voters in November 2025. The brief asks the Court of Appeals for the Fifteenth Judicial District to affirm the trial court's dismissal of the case, arguing that Proposition 14 builds on a proven Texas model for medical research, that DPRIT will advance research critical to the health of Texans, and that continued delay is contrary to the public interest.
The implications of this legal intervention are significant. Nearly 460,000 Texans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's disease, affecting families, caregivers, and communities across the state. DPRIT represents a $3 billion investment over 10 years—the largest state investment in brain health research in U.S. history. Every day of delay slows discovery, stalls the recruitment of top researchers, and pushes improved treatments and diagnosis further out of reach. As Joanne Pike, DrPH, president and CEO of the Alzheimer's Association, stated, "Texas voters sent a clear message when they approved Proposition 14: families facing Alzheimer's and other dementias cannot afford to wait."
The American Heart Association's support for DPRIT is rooted in the interconnectedness of heart and brain health. Many risk factors for heart disease and stroke—such as high blood pressure, tobacco use, physical inactivity, and obesity—are also linked to premature cognitive decline and dementia. This connection underscores why the initiative matters beyond Alzheimer's alone: it is an investment in the brain health of all Texans, including those without cognitive impairment today. Research is what moves prevention, risk reduction, and early detection from promising to proven, determining how the next generation ages. The American Heart Association has previously highlighted these links in its reporting on cardiovascular conditions and Alzheimer's risk, available at https://newsroom.heart.org/news/several-cvd-conditions-risk-factors-linked-to-alzheimer-s-risk-notably-low-blood-pressure.
Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association, emphasized the broader stakes: "Breakthroughs don't happen by accident—they happen when communities make a long-term commitment to science, innovation, and the people whose lives depend on them. The fight against Alzheimer's and dementia is one of the most urgent public health challenges of our time, and progress depends on our willingness to invest in science before families run out of options."
The Alzheimer's Association, which supported the legislation establishing DPRIT and led the voter education campaign for Proposition 14, remains committed to fulfilling the voters' mandate. Both organizations are calling for a swift resolution of the legal challenges to allow DPRIT to begin its work. The delay not only affects Texans but also hinders progress that could benefit families far beyond the state. As the associations note, this investment is about ensuring a generation grows older with more control over its brain health. The outcome of this litigation will determine whether Texas can move forward with its historic commitment to brain health research or remain stalled in a legal battle that ultimately costs time, resources, and hope.
