SAN DIEGO -- Filmmakers and scientists are collaborating to fight Alzheimer's disease by creating awareness through a special documentary.

Alzheimer's disease affects over 35,000 San Diegans and millions more nationwide.

Funding and research in San Diego are making a big difference in treatment and a possible cure.

"The Alzheimer's Project" will air on HBO this month, and the documentary features stories familiar to over 5 million Americans and their family members diagnosed with Alzheimer's every year.

The series focuses on the heartbreaking reality as the mind of a loved one slowly begins to slip away.

California's First Lady Maria Shriver partnered with HBO to bolster awareness for Alzheimer's, its devastating effects and the breakthroughs in research -- much of which is taking place in San Diego.

"We are on the brink of making a huge impact on the disease through new treatments," said Dr. Paul Aisen of the University of California, San Diego.

Aisen has been studying and conducting clinical trials on Alzheimer's for almost 20 years. His work and results are featured in an episode of the series called "Momentum in Science."

"These treatments will slow the disease down and actually change the course. Ultimately we should be able to halt the progress of the disease," said Aisen.

The work that is being done now is amazing considering just 15 years ago there were no treatments for Alzheimer's.

"My mother died in 1993, and I can assure you there was nothing," said Darlene Shiley.

Shiley and her husband, Donald, have given millions of dollars to the arts, education and research in San Diego. But when her mother passed away from complications with Alzheimer's, her passion became the Shiley-Marcos Alzheimer's Research Center at UCSD.

"If you aren't part of the solution, you're part of the problem. I don't want to be part of the problem. Make a difference, another cliché', but what else is there?" said Shiley.

Aisen said the collaboration of individuals is a huge help in the clinical trials and treatment.

He said it is important to find a cure soon because of the number of baby boomers who will be diagnosed with Alzheimer's in the next 15 to 20 years.