Bill Gates' $100M Alzheimer's Research Support — His Visit To IU School Of Medicine And How He Recommends Preventing Alzheimer's

Bill Gates, known for co-founding Microsoft, also has a philanthropic side. According to Fortune, he is one of only five billionaires who has given away more than 20% of his wealth to charity.  A big part of his charitable efforts is dedicated to public health, particularly as an advocate for Alzheimer's research. Gates' own father battled Alzheimer's, and since that diagnosis, Gates has been a huge proponent of Alzheimer's research and education. 

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Recently, Gates visited the Indiana University (IU) School of Medicine, a leading institution in Alzheimer's research, to witness firsthand the groundbreaking work it is doing to combat this disease. During his visit, Gates donned a lab coat and protective gloves as he toured IU's state-of-the-art labs and engaged with researchers for a more hands-on experience in the fight against Alzheimer's. 

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IU President Pamela Whitten welcomed Gates to the campus. She said, "A deeply collaborative environment is at the heart of our research enterprise at IU, and this approach has helped to ensure that our team of scientists is working together to answer the most difficult questions about Alzheimer's. We were proud to give a visionary like Bill Gates a firsthand look at that work."

Gates's philanthropic efforts in Alzheimer's research have been significant. He donated $100 million to initiatives dedicated to understanding and curing the disease. Having seen his father struggle with Alzheimer's and understanding the emotional toll it takes on the individual and family, his personal connection has fueled his support. 

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One of the most crucial pieces of advice Gates offers, based on the latest research, is the importance of sleep in preventing Alzheimer's. "One of the strongest things to emerge in that area is the importance of good sleep," Gates has stated. “To maintain brain health, getting good sleep even back to your teen years is super important.”

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According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), there is some correlation between poor sleep patterns and a greater risk of dementia later in life. A study they conducted found that people in their 50s and 60s getting six hours of sleep or less were at greater risk of developing dementia later. Those getting poorer sleep were 30% more likely to be diagnosed with dementia than those getting at least 7 hours of sleep a night. 

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While Gates' $100 million investment is a substantial contribution to the fight against Alzheimer's, he knows that research is not enough by itself. He encourages prevention through lifestyle changes, like getting better sleep, to help combat the disease.