Grantmakers in the News

March 15, 2004

MetLife Foundation Presents Award for Alzheimer's Research

The MetLife Foundation's Award for Medical Research in Alzheimer's Disease was recently presented to Roberto Malinow, M.D., Ph.D and Thomas Sudhof, M.D., for their efforts to increase understanding of the disease. Their research explored how the brain communicates and how diseases may hinder that communication.

Each honoree will receive $200,000 to continue their Alzheimer's research, as well as $50,000 as a personal award. Started in 1986, the program has provided more than $9 million in awards to researchers.

Dr. Malinow, the Professor of Neuroscience at Cold Spring Harbor, NY, has been studying how brain cells control communication at synapses between the cells.

Dr. Sudhof heads the Center for Basic Neuroscience at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas and serves as an investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

Chairman and CEO of MetLife, Robert H. Benmosche states, "Alzheimer's disease takes a tremendous toll on millions of people and their families…Millions more will be affected unless a treatment or cure is found. MetLife is proud to support research that is directed to understanding and helping prevent this disease."

The MetLife Foundation supports health, education, civic, and cultural programs across the nation.

"MetLife Foundation Award for Medical Research Recognizes Strides Made by Scientists in Alzheimer's Disease Research." Press Release, January 13, 2004.