(a)  The Legislature finds that Alzheimer’s disease, a devastating disease which destroys certain vital cells of the brain, affects more than 1,500,000 Americans. The Legislature also finds that Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders are responsible for 50 percent of all nursing home admissions and Alzheimer’s disease is the fourth leading cause of death in adults. The Legislature recognizes that the disease has serious emotional, financial, and social consequences for its victims and their families.

(b)  The Legislature recognizes that the cause of Alzheimer’s disease is presently unknown, and there is no established treatment which can cure, reverse, or stop the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. The Legislature also recognizes that research is the only hope for victims and families. The Legislature finds that existing diagnostic and treatment centers have improved the quality of care available to the victims of Alzheimer’s disease and increased knowledge with respect to Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders. These centers provide clinical opportunities for research and facilitate the collection of essential data regarding Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders, while at the same time providing valuable services such as information and referral, counseling, and training to victims and their families. It is the intent of the Legislature, in enacting this article, to encourage the establishment of geographically dispersed diagnostic and treatment centers for Alzheimer’s disease within every postsecondary higher educational institution with a medical center, and to encourage research to discover the cause of, and a cure for, Alzheimer’s disease.

(c)  The functions of the diagnostic and treatment centers shall be designed to serve all of the following purposes:

(1)  To provide diagnostic and treatment services and improve the quality of care to victims of Alzheimer’s disease.

(2)  To increase research by faculty and students in discovering the cause of, and a cure for, Alzheimer’s disease.

(3)  To provide training, monitoring, consultation, and continuing education to the families of those who are affected by Alzheimer’s disease.

(4)  To increase the training of health care professionals with respect to Alzheimer’s disease and other acquired brain impairments to the extent that the centers have the requisite expertise.

(d)  The diagnostic and treatment centers may collaborate with the Statewide Resources Consultant designated pursuant to Section 4364 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, to the extent that the centers deem necessary in order to fulfill the functions set forth in subdivision (c).

(Added by renumbering Section 412 (as amended by Stats. 1995, Ch. 551) by Stats. 1996, Ch. 1023, Sec. 134. Effective September 29, 1996.)