WASHINGTON (AP) - The government is setting what it calls an ambitious goal for developing effective ways to treat and prevent Alzheimer's disease by 2025.

The Obama administration is developing the first National Alzheimer's Plan to find better treatments for the mind-destroying disease and offer better day-to-day care for those afflicted.

A draft of the overall goals sets the 2025 deadline, but doesn't provide details of how to fund the necessary research. Today's treatments only temporarily ease some dementia symptoms, and work to find better ones has been frustratingly slow.

A committee of Alzheimer's experts is meeting this week to advise the government on finalizing the plan.

An estimated 5.4 million Americans have Alzheimer's or similar dementias, and the number is growing steadily as the population rapidly ages.