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 aimed at advancing research on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The filing comes as litigation has stalled 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 importance of this initiative is underscored by the nearly 460,000 Texans age 65 and older living with Alzheimer's disease, a number that affects families, caregivers, and communities across the state. DPRIT also represents an investment in those who do not currently have cognitive impairment, as research is what moves prevention, risk reduction, and early detection from promising to proven. "Texas voters sent a clear message when they approved Proposition 14: families facing Alzheimer's and other dementias cannot afford to wait," said Joanne Pike, DrPH, president and CEO of the Alzheimer's Association. "Every day of delay slows discovery, stalls the recruitment of top researchers to the state and pushes improved treatments and diagnosis further out of reach."
The American Heart Association advocated for the passage of Proposition 14 and supports DPRIT because evidence shows heart health and brain health are deeply interconnected. Many of the same risk factors that increase the likelihood of heart disease and stroke, including high blood pressure, tobacco use, physical inactivity, and obesity, are also linked to premature cognitive decline and dementia. As noted in a recent American Heart Association news release, several cardiovascular conditions and risk factors are linked to Alzheimer's risk, notably low blood pressure. The association provides further information on brain health through its Brain Health resources.
Proposition 14 provides $3 billion to DPRIT over 10 years, making it the largest state investment in brain health research in U.S. history. "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," said Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association. "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 supported the legislation that established DPRIT and led the voter education campaign that carried Proposition 14. That work rests on decades of engagement with state lawmakers and a grassroots network of advocates and community partners across Texas. Both organizations remain committed to working with the Texas lieutenant governor, other state elected officials, and research and public health institutions across the state to implement DPRIT and accelerate progress in brain-health research. The outcome of this legal challenge will determine whether Texas can begin deploying this historic investment to address one of the most pressing public health challenges of our time.
