AUSTIN — Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick unveiled plans Monday for a new legislative initiative for the Texas Senate to create a state-funded institute dedicated entirely to dementia research.
“One of the most successful existing health programs ever created in Texas is the Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT). CPRIT is a model of what a state can do in the area of medical research on a specific disease. CPRIT’s only focus is cancer. The state originally funded CPRIT for a decade, which was the key to attracting world-renowned leaders in cancer research to Texas,” stated Patrick.
He said that the new institute would attract “top researchers and companies” to Texas and increase investment in the state.
According to the statement, Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance and Senator Joan Huffman (R-Houston) will sponsor the legislation in the Senate. Patrick also stated he asked to collaborate with former Speaker Tom Craddick (R-Midland) to help with the legislation so that they could have “unanimous support in both the Senate and the House.”
Like the creation of the Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) in 2007—reaffirmed by voters in 2019—the establishment of the Dementia Prevention Research Institute of Texas (DPRIT) would need legislative approval before being presented to voters as a constitutional amendment.
“Dementia is a broad category of diseases that impact cognitive functions such as memory, thinking, and behavior, with Alzheimer’s being the most commonly recognized,” Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick explained.
Patrick hoped the proposed dementia research institute could pave the way to finding a cure.
“Dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s, affects countless families today,” Patrick said. “It’s a devastating and heartbreaking condition. Just as Texas has taken the lead in cancer research, we have the opportunity to become a global leader in fighting dementia, discovering treatments, and ultimately achieving a cure.”
