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Military personnel face an increased risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD) or a related dementia as they age. Risk factors such as traumatic brain Injury, vascular disease, lifestyle and alterations in cognition or behavior may affect military personnel at higher rates or with greater severity than the general public. These risk factors may be linked to early dementia symptoms, such as aggression, memory loss, depression, and symptoms similar to those of other neurological diseases, long before a diagnosis is established. The PRARP began in 2011 to address the long-term consequences of TBI as they pertain to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In 2016, the program expanded to include AD-related dementias (ADRD) research as it pertains to TBI.

The PRARP prioritizes research that will provide meaningful outcomes to support caregivers and persons with AD and ADRD, with a focus on partnership with those most impacted by these conditions. In addition, the PRARP strongly advocates for diversity in investigator teams and study populations, including but not limited to ethnic, cultural, socioeconomic, and health access factors.

Consistent with the PRARP's mission and vision, the program seeks to support research focusing on the intersection of TBI-AD/ADRD, including understanding mechanisms, biomarkers, and risk factors in military relevant populations The PRARP is interested in supporting research leading to treatment modalities that have near-term benefit to active-duty Service Members, Veterans, military beneficiaries, and/or the public.

For FY22, the PRARP is seeking research in the following focus areas:

• Foundational Research: Research to examine the interrelationship between traumatic brain injury, military service-related factors, and subsequent AD/ADRD.
• Diagnostics, Prognostics and Environmental factors: The need for technologies, tests, questionnaires, devices, biomarkers, or analyses to detect the relationship between military service-related risk factors and AD/ADRD. This includes epidemiological research to examine the interrelationship between military service, risk and resiliency factors, and subsequent AD/ADRD.
• Individual, Family, and Care Support: The need for technologies, assessments, interventions, or devices that enhance the lives of those living with AD/ADRD and providing care, especially to Service members and Veterans.