With growing bipartisan support and backing from Texas’ top leaders, the Lone Star State is poised to become a national leader in the fight against Dementia.
This week, the Texas Senate gave final approval to legislation establishing the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (DPRIT), which is now being sent to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk for signature.
As previously reported by DX, Senate Bill 5 and its companion, Senate Joint Resolution 3, will establish DPRIT as a state-backed hub for cutting-edge dementia research and innovation in memory healthcare. They were celebrated in a recent statement by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and authored by Sen. Joan Huffman (R-Houston).
The DPRIT rollout will include a constitutional amendment and a $3 billion funding package drawn from the state’s general revenue to be allocated over the next decade, according to a media release from Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick.
“I created DPRIT and made it a top priority for this legislative session after visiting with many Texans suffering from Dementia, along with their families. Too many families in Texas know the ravages of Dementia. More than 500,000 Texans suffer from various forms of Dementia, and their families sadly suffer alongside them,” Patrick said.
“Texas will become the premier destination for Dementia prevention and research and Texans will have access to the best Dementia care in the world, right here at home. I am proud of the legislature’s investment into this endeavor, and I know Texas families will benefit for generations to come,” He added.
Designed in accordance with the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT), a similar project that launched in 2007, DPRIT hopes to speed up medical research on memory ailments, improve access to dementia-based healthcare, and position Texas as a global leader in “neurodegenerative disease” research.
The resolution for DPRIT also includes a cap on yearly spending, no more than $300 million per fiscal year for the institution. The goal is to ensure a decade-long funding plan that will provide stability and attract top-tier researchers to the state.
With Gov. Abbott’s signature expected in the coming days, the next hurdle lies with Texas voters.
Because the proposal for DPRIT involves a constitutional amendment, it will appear on the statewide ballot in November. If approved, the new dementia-care institute could allegedly open and begin operations as early as mid-2026.