China bets big on Alzheimer's with a national research push

China is launching a sweeping, government-backed effort to prepare for a coming wave of dementia by expanding screening, diagnosis, and treatment, recruiting returning researchers, and funding diverse avenues—from new drugs (including BrAD-R13 and DI-3-n-butylphthalide) to traditional Chinese medicine and novel glymphatic-clearing surgeries. With dementia prevalence expected to rise dramatically, the country aims to reach 2030 targets, accelerate clinical trials (already rising from 9 in 2021 to 107 in 2024), and become a leading global hub—though regulatory safeguards and safety concerns accompany rapid growth.