The Minnesota Memory Project is a community based registry that is gathering annual information about memory function, health history, and lifestyle information in three populations: 1) adults 55 yr and older; 2) adults with diagnosed memory loss 40 yr and older; and 3) adults providing care for someone with memory loss. Registry participants complete a bi-annual survey of health history and lifestyle information, and make yearly visits for a 30 minute assessment of memory function plus several physical measurements (blood pressure, weight, etc.). Participants have the option within the consent form to be contacted about future clinical trials. A wide range of future studies are being developed. On average, Alzheimer’s disease is not diagnosed until three to five years after the onset of first symptoms. Gathering information about memory function and health in the period prior to diagnosis can help us identify ways to make earlier diagnoses, identify risk factors of memory loss, and develop programs to prevent it. Registries of persons currently diagnosed with memory loss provide information about disease progression related to medications, behavioral disturbances, lifestyle choices, and physical health, as well as builds a group of people interested in participating in clinical trials of new therapeutics as they become available. Data from people caring for those diagnosed with memory loss can identify new and follow known physical and psychological health issues shown to be associated with caregiving and help us to develop programs to support caregivers.