Have you ever walked into a room and forgotten why you were there? Or misplaced your keys? Or been unable to put a name to a face? Most of the time, these examples of forgetfulness are due to obvious factors such as lack of attention, fatigue, or stress. Sometimes, memory issues progress to brain disorders.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common condition affecting memory associated with aging. In 2009, an estimated 5.3 million Americans had Alzheimer’s disease; this number is forecast to double by mid-century. Many other medical conditions can impair cognition, including stroke, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, multiple sclerosis and ALS, among others.

To facilitate the sharing of ideas, Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, with support from Keep Memory Alive, has integrated research into various disorders with a unique breadth and scope. We have advanced diagnostic therapeutic and clinical trial resources.

We have only just begun. The work in front of us—to improve the diagnosis and treatment of the disorders that destroy cognition—will last for a generation. We will not be able to do this alone, yet Keep Memory Alive and the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health will play a prominent role in this work that lies ahead.