AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says he wants Texas to become a world leader in dementia research, and legislation could help the state do that.
On Monday, the lieutenant governor announced the "Dementia Prevention Research Institute of Texas" (DPRIT) will be a major legislative initiative for the Senate next year. It will be similar to the "Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas" (CPRIT), which has helped bring world-renowned leaders in cancer research to our state.
“Dementia is a broad term for diseases that affect cognitive abilities, memory, thinking and behavior. Alzheimer’s is the disease most people associate with dementia,” Patrick said on Monday.
The lieutenant governor said he hopes the proposed dementia research institute will lead to a cure.
“Dementia, and especially Alzheimer’s, touches so many families today,” Patrick said. “It is a heartbreaking and devastating disease. Just as we are leading on cancer research, Texas can be a world leader in combatting dementia, finding treatment and, one day, a cure.”
He said he has been working with Senate Committee on Finance Chair Joan Huffman (R-Houston), who is authoring the legislative priority in the Senate.
“Recently, I also traveled to Midland to meet with former Speaker Tom Craddick (R-Midland) to help shape the legislation with him so we can build unanimous support in both the Senate and House,” Patrick said.
If lawmakers pass a bill on the institute, it would then go on the ballot as a constitutional amendment for voters to approve. Voters previously approved an amendment for CPRIT in 2007 and re-authorized it in 2019.