PHOTOS: Capito Hosts NIH NIA Director at WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), the Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS), visited West Virginia University's (WVU) Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute (RNI) in Morgantown, W.Va. with Dr. Richard Hodes, Director of the NIH National Institute on Aging (NIH NIA). During the visit, Senator Capito and Dr. Hodes receives updates from medical leaders like RNI Director Dr. Ali Rezai on key research related to Alzheimer's and Alzheimer's-related dementias as well as a tour of the facility.

"I appreciated the opportunity to host Dr. Hodes today at the Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute in Morgantown and hear directly from leaders like Dr. Rezai and others about their groundbreaking work on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias," Senator Capito said. "The progress being made here in West Virginia is both encouraging and impactful, and it's clear this research has the potential to improve lives across our state and beyond."

"Addressing Alzheimer's disease and related dementias requires bold, multidisciplinary approaches that span fundamental biology, early detection, and innovative interventions. The work underway in West Virginia at the Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute reflects this integrated strategy, advancing areas such as neuromodulation and blood-brain barrier technologies to accelerate progress against complex neurodegenerative diseases. NIH, including the National Institute on Aging, supports research that deepens our understanding of these conditions and moves us toward more effective strategies for dementia prevention and treatment," Dr. Hodes said.

"We are grateful for the leadership of Senator Shelley Moore Capito and Dr. Richard Hodes ," Dr.Rezai, executive chair of the WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, said. "This kind of collaboration is what drives meaningful change, accelerating research breakthroughs into care for patients facing neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and others."

BACKGROUND:

As Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Labor-HHS Subcommittee, Senator Capito has been a long-time supporter of efforts to advance medical innovation and improve health outcomes for West Virginians, including through RNI, which is a national leader in the study and treatment of neurological and psychiatric conditions, combining cutting-edge research with patient-centered care.

Senator Capito has worked alongside federal, state, and local partners to help strengthen resources for groundbreaking initiatives at RNI, with a focus on addressing critical challenges such as addiction, Alzheimer's disease, and other complex brain disorders. In February of 2026, Senator Capito secured a $11.9 million CDS allocation to support construction of the Center for Neuromodulation and Brain Therapeutics. Additionally, Senator Capito reintroduced bipartisan legislation in March of 2026 that bolsters training for primary care providers so they can better diagnose Alzheimer's and other dementia and deliver high-quality, person-centered care in community-based settings.

Senator Capito's efforts reflect a broad commitment to fostering collaboration, supporting scientific discovery, and ensuring that West Virginia remains at the forefront of transformative health care solutions.

In August 2022, Senator Capito and Dr. Rezai joined Hoppy Kercheval, former host of MetroNews Talkline, for a special interview on Alzheimer's disease and dementia. During the interview, Senator Capito shared her personal experience as a caretaker for her parents who struggled with Alzheimer's disease, as well as her continued efforts to assist families in West Virginia going through similar circumstances. Click here to watch the interview.

Photos from today's event are included below:

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) tours WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute in Morgantown, W.Va. on Friday, May 1, 2026.

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) tours WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute in Morgantown, W.Va. on Friday, May 1, 2026.

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) tours WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute in Morgantown, W.Va. on Friday, May 1, 2026.

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