Banner Alzheimer's Institute Marks 20 Years in Phoenix
The Phoenix-based institute, founded in 2006, is expanding prevention trials and blood-based Alzheimer's testing.
Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Alzheimer’s
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Would you take an at-home blood test to check your Alzheimer's risk?
Banner Alzheimer's Institute celebrated its 20th anniversary, having grown from Banner Health's first Center of Excellence into a statewide and global research force. Its clinical trials have helped advance therapies approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for Alzheimer's and related dementias.
Why it matters
More than 7.4 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with clinical Alzheimer's dementia, and the Alzheimer's Association projects that figure will reach nearly 13 million by 2050. The institute's prevention and early-detection work aims to address that growing burden in Phoenix and beyond.
Banner Health operates 33 hospitals and more than 400 sites across six states, and the institute's trials have contributed to FDA-approved Alzheimer's therapies. The source does not report trial outcome results for the institute's current prevention studies.
The players
Banner Health
Banner Health is a nonprofit health system headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, operating hospitals and clinics across several Western states.
The details
Banner Alzheimer's Institute was established in 2006 and operates prevention trials, biomarker blood tests, and programs that return Alzheimer's risk results to patients at home. It also runs a global sample-sharing network through the Alzheimer's Prevention Initiative and community outreach aimed at underserved populations.
Timeline
2006: Banner establishes the institute as its first Center of Excellence.
November 12, 2026: Banner celebrates the institute's 20th anniversary.
2050: Projected Alzheimer's dementia cases among Americans aged 65 and older reach nearly 13 million.
Roadmap
The institute's work sits within the Alzheimer's Prevention Initiative, which coordinates sample sharing across research sites worldwide. Its push toward blood-based testing at annual wellness visits marks a shift from diagnosing dementia after symptoms appear toward identifying risk earlier.
Banner plans to make Alzheimer's risk blood tests part of annual wellness visits starting in the early 50s, which could let residents learn their risk years before symptoms appear. Readers should consult a physician about screening options as they become available.
The takeaway
Early risk screening may become a routine part of care for adults in their 50s as blood-based tests reach clinics. Staying informed about prevention options now can help residents plan ahead.
Further reading
For broader context on research and treatment, explore more coverage in the Alzheimer's section.
More information
Learn more about the health system behind the institute on the Banner Health corporate information page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Manila times.
Live Poll
Would you take an at-home blood test to check your Alzheimer's risk?
