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Bill Gates gives $50 million to combat Alzheimer's

Dec. 13, 2016 file photo, Bill Gates arrives to Trump Tower in New York. The eight individuals who own as much as half of the rest of the planet are all men and have largely made their fortunes in technology. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

SEATTLE — Bill Gates says he's giving $50 million to help fight Alzheimer's disease.

The Microsoft co-founder said Monday that the donation to the Dementia Discovery Fund is personal and not through his charitable foundation.

The London-based private fund is backed by government, charities and pharmaceutical firms and seeks new treatments for the progressive, irreversible neurological disease.

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In a statement , Gates says men in his family have suffered from Alzheimer's. He says he's hopeful that in time Alzheimer's could be a chronic condition treatable with medication.

Gates says the first treatments for the disease might not be feasible for a decade or more and would initially be expensive. He says the Gates Foundation might consider how to expand access in poorer countries when treatments are developed.