Association International Conference Research Articles

Advancements in dementia research, diagnostics, and care in Latin America: Highlights from the 2023 Alzheimer's Association International conference satellite symposium in Mexico City.

While Latin America (LatAm) is facing an increasing burden of dementia due to the rapid aging of the population, it remains underrepresented in dementia research, diagnostics, and care. In 2023, the Alzheimer's Association hosted its eighth satellite symposium in Mexico, highlighting emerging dementia research, priorities, and challenges within LatAm. Significant initiatives in the region, including intracountry support, showcased their efforts in fostering national and international collaborations; genetic studies unveiled the unique genetic admixture in LatAm; researchers conducting emerging clinical trials discussed ongoing culturally specific interventions; and the urgent need to harmonize practices and studies, improve diagnosis and care, and use affordable biomarkers in the region was highlighted. The myriad of topics discussed at the 2023 AAIC satellite symposium highlighted the growing research efforts in LatAm, providing valuable insights into dementia biology, genetics, epidemiology, treatment, and care.

In Case You Haven't Heard…

Scientists have known for some time that addressing hearing loss can reduce a person's chances of developing Alzheimer's disease, but a study released on July 18 shows just how much, a news release from UsAgainstAlzheimer's stated. According to the ACHIEVE study, “A landmark study of the effect of hearing intervention on brain health in older adults,” published in The Lancet, treating hearing loss in older adults who had more risk factors for cognitive decline slowed down the loss of thinking and memory abilities by 48% over three years. The study's findings were also presented by its author, Frank Lin, M.D., Ph.D., of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Bloomberg School of Public Health, at the annual Alzheimer's Association's International Conference. One in three Americans between the ages of 65 and 74 has hearing loss, according to the National Institutes of Health. Worldwide, mid‐ and late‐life hearing loss is identified as the single largest potentially modifiable risk factor for dementia. The ACHIEVE study is the first randomized clinical trial to investigate whether treating hearing loss in older adults reduces the cognitive decline that can occur with aging.

Impacts of cerebral small vessel disease on global and domain‐specific cognition

AbstractBackgroundThe 2021 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference press release forecasted global dementia cases to triple by 2050, due to the major contribution of increases in vascular risk factors. The Global Vascular Risk Score (GVRS) was developed to predict vascular events using a point‐based index for risk factor variables, though has demonstrated to be a significant predictor of global and domain‐specific cognitive performance in a multi‐ethnic cohort (Rundek, T. et al. Global Vascular Risk Score and CAIDE Dementia Risk Score Predict Cognitive Function in the Northern Manhattan Study. J Alzheimers Dis 73, 1221‐1231 (2020)). However, more than half of the variance in global and domain‐specific cognitive performance is still unexplained by GVRS variables. We sought to explain additional variance in cognitive performance by addition of MRI biomarkers of cerebral small vessel disease to the GVRS model.MethodWe included 1290 subjects from the multiethnic Northern Manhattan Study population (age 64+/‐8 years, 40% women, 66% Hispanic, 17% non‐Hispanic Black, 15% non‐Hispanic White, education 10+/‐5 years). Multivariate linear regression models were employed to assess the added value of the cerebral small vessel disease MRI measures (white matter hyperintensity volume, silent brain infarcts, cerebral microbleeds, and perivascular spaces) beyond GVRS variables in explaining more variance in global and domain‐specific (episodic memory, executive function, semantic memory, and processing speed) cognitive performance. The explained variance (R2) of the GVRS model was compared to the proposed model with added imaging markers to determine their predictive performance. Statistical significance was determined using F‐statistic difference test between the models.ResultThe explained variance (R2) and F‐statistic for models of global and domain‐specific cognition are in the table. Addition of MRI measures significantly improved the model for global cognition (F(4, 1108) = 2.68, p < 0.05) and domain‐specific cognitive performance models of episodic memory (F(4, 1096) = 3.34, p < 0.01) and processing speed (F(4, 1096) = 2.40, p < 0.05).ConclusionMRI measures of cerebral small vessel disease explain more variance in global cognition, episodic memory, and processing speed than GVRS factors alone. However, most of the variance in cognitive performance remains unexplained.

Including General Audiences in a Virtual Scientific Dementia Conference: Will They Get Anything From It?

Study participants, patients, and care partners are key stakeholders in research and have asked for greater inclusion in the dissemination of scientific learning. However, the participation of general audiences in scientific conferences dedicated to Alzheimer's disease and Alzheimer's disease related dementias (AD/ADRD) is not widely supported or studied. Our objectives were to evaluate the interest, level of engagement, and impact of including general audiences in a virtual dementia conference. A diverse group of lay participants, identified via community-based health advocacy groups and research centers, were invited to attend the 2021 Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC), with optional small-group discussions. Participants received complimentary access to all scientific sessions and were supported via navigation tips, recommended sessions, and a glossary of frequently used terms and acronyms. Lay participants demonstrated a high level of engagement, even among those that were research-naïve, attending virtual sessions for an average of 11.7 hours across the five days and recommending a variety of sessions to each other on topics extending from prevention of dementia to new therapies and care. Most participants said they would attend the conference again and rated the quality of interaction as high, while requesting more opportunities to engage directly with researchers. General audiences, in particular research participants, are advocating for greater participation in scientific conferences. This program can serve as a model to accomplish inclusion; thereby acknowledging their invaluable contribution to science.

Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) 2022. San Diego – July 31-August 4, 2022

Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) 2022. San Diego – July 31-August 4, 2022

In Case You Haven't Heard…

Eating ultra‐processed foods such as hot dogs, sausages, burgers, French fries, soda, cakes and candies can contribute to overall cognitive decline, including areas of the brain involved in executive functioning, i.e., the ability to process information and make decisions, according to a new study. Presented Aug. 1 at the 2022 Alzheimer's Association International Conference in San Diego, the study followed over 10,000 Brazilians for up to 10 years. Those in the study who ate the most ultra‐processed foods were “more likely to be younger, women, white, had higher education and income, and were more likely to have never smoked, and less likely to be current alcohol consumers,” the researchers reported. Men and women who ate the most ultra‐processed foods had a 28% faster rate of global cognitive decline and a 25% faster rate of executive‐function cognitive decline compared with people who ate the least amount of overly processed food, CNN Health reported about the study. Researchers also have found that eating ultra‐processed foods can raise the risk of obesity, heart and circulation problems, diabetes and cancer.

Alzheimer's disease research progress in the Mediterranean region: The Alzheimer's Association International Conference Satellite Symposium.

As research and services in the Mediterranean region continue to increase, so do opportunities for global collaboration. To support such collaborations, the Alzheimer's Association was due to hold its seventh Alzheimer's Association International Conference Satellite Symposium in Athens, Greece in 2021. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the meeting was held virtually, which enabled attendees from around the world to hear about research efforts in Greece and the surrounding Mediterranean countries. Research updates spanned understanding the biology of, treatments for, and care of people with Alzheimer's disease (AD_ and other dementias. Researchers in the Mediterranean region have outlined the local epidemiology of AD and dementia, and have identified regional populations that may expedite genetic studies. Development of biomarkers is expected to aid early and accurate diagnosis. Numerous efforts have been made to develop culturally specific interventions to both reduce risk of dementia, and to improve quality of life for people living with dementia.

Antipsychotic use in people with dementia living in care homes rose during COVID-19 pandemic

Prescribing of antipsychotic drugs to people with dementia living in care homes rose significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to research from the University of Exeter and King’s College London. The research, presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference — held from 31 July to 4 August 2022 in San Diego, California, compared rates of […]

Embracing the unpredictable effect of one person: an interview with Professor Keri Facer

AbstractIt was a keynote presentation by Professor Keri Facer at the United Kingdom Literacy Association (UKLA) international conference and subsequent article in Literacy that sparked the discussions which inspired the focus of this special issue. In July 2021, with a mix of end of term exhaustion and intellectual exhilaration, we gathered online to interview Keri and do that important activity we rarely manage to achieve in our performative academic culture, that is, to talk and think together. We wanted to share this process with you, and so we present our questions and Keri's responses with minimal editing and with the ‘epistemic hope’1 we felt in that moment and want to share.

Nieopiewani bohaterowie tragicznego pokolenia

Praca jest rozszerzonym zapisem wykładu wygłoszonego podczas II Międzynarodowej Konferencji Związku Lekarzy Polskich w Chicago pt. „Patriotyzm. Dziedzictwo. Medycyna”, zorganizowanej 30.09.2019 r. z okazji 80. rocznicy wybuchu II wojny światowej i 75. rocznicy Powstania Warszawskiego [1]. Autor, syn polskiego małżeństwa lekarskiego, emerytowany profesor Columbia College Chicago, na przykładzie biografii swoich rodziców przedstawił walkę o ocalenie człowieczeństwa i humanistycznych wartości zawodu lekarza w warunkach nazistowskiego i komunistycznego totalitaryzmu. Opisał drogę życiową ojca – oficera wojska polskiego, psychiatry, więźnia sowieckich łagrów, uczestnika bitwy o Monte Cassino, organizatora pomocy psychiatrycznej dla polskich żołnierzy i weteranów wojennych we Włoszech oraz w Anglii i Stanach Zjednoczonych. Podobnie opisał drogę życiową matki – lekarza pediatry w Domu Baudouina w Warszawie, która z narażeniem własnego życia ratowała żydowskie dzieci przed zagładą. Zmuszona do opuszczenia stolicy, wraz z 6‑letnią córką nielegalnie przekroczyła kilka granic, by we Włoszech, w Weronie, połączyć się z mężem. Dzieląc jego żołnierski los, troskę o powiększającą się rodzinę postawiła ponad własną pracę zawodową lekarza. Tekst uzupełniają kopie dokumentów, m.in. odkrytych przez autora w Rosji podczas realizacji filmu „Children in Exile” o losie polskich dzieci zesłanych do sowieckich łagrów.

Can a digital scientific conference function as a platform for facilitating two‐way learning between researchers and participants?

AbstractBackgroundResponding to requests from research participants, we piloted a program to facilitate two‐way learning between researchers and participants through the platform of a digital scientific conference.MethodParticipants were invited to attend the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC), through a digital platform, and were offered daily small group discussions. Support was provided in the form of daily emails, navigation tips, and a glossary of frequently used terms and acronyms.ResultThe digital conference was well attended, with participants attending a broad spectrum of talks. Convening daily small group discussions was critical in creating a space where two‐way learning could occur by allowing participants to interact and share with each other as well as with research professionals. Participants provided input on research design, recruitment, outcomes, and approaches, as well as applicability of research to clinical settings.ConclusionConferences that are remotely accessible offer a unique opportunity to support the engagement and participation of individuals with limited mobility or time. Future conferences should offer research participants either free or reduced registration, and allow them to select the topics they are most interested in. We recommend providing support and a glossary of frequently used acronyms and terms. Future work is needed to replicate this approach in a more diverse group of research‐naïve participants.

Characteristics and assessment of potential concussive events in the UEFA Champions League

Athletes involved in elite sports such as Association Football (AF) are at a high risk of sustaining Sport-Related Concussion (SRC). The current study investigates the characteristics of potential concussions in AF, as well as the quality of subsequent assessment with respect to the International Football Association Board (IFAB) and International Conference on Concussion in Sport (ICCS) recommendations.

Even mild COVID-19 may have long-term brain impacts.

Research presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference suggests even mild cases of COVID-19 may be associated with cognitive deficits months after recovery. One Argentinian study of 234 seniors who previously had COVID-19 found that more than half showed some degree of

The Annual International Conference of the Egyptian Association for Cancer Research (EACR): Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery

The future depends on the welfare of human beings by providing better health through research and technology. Biomedical research is of extreme importance to exploring and finding the human needs in particular new therapies for illnesses such as cancer. Indeed, cancer represents a global medical and economical challenge since it is a burden on the patients, families, physicians, and the government. Given the resistance of cancer cells to chemotherapy, it is of paramount importance for scientists to work on the discovery and development of new drugs that can reach the clinical market. As such, the Egyptian Association for Cancer Research (EACR) successfully organized its annual international conference under the title of “Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery (ACDD-2019) which was held from 21-22 April, 2019 at Tanta University convention Center, Tanta University, Tanta City, Egypt. ACDD-2019 (http://acdd.tanta.edu.eg/) represented an outstanding opportunity for sharing thoughts and idea for research from USA, China, Japan, KSA and other countries with the main goal to come up with the most effective translational anti-cancer agents. The conference included 3 main sessions on day 1 and 8 sessions on day 2. Day 1 included 13 keynote speakers covering different subjects in anti-cancer drug discovery and development including approached based on nanoparticles, gene therapy, immunotherapy and natural and synthetic compounds. Day 2 focused mainly on 5 topics including: 1) the roles of center of excellence of scientific research in drug discovery, 2) parasite and marine compounds and cancer, 3) natural and synthetic anti-cancer drugs, 4) molecular oncology and cancer stem cells, and 5) cancer immunology and immunotherapy. As the president of EACR and Chairman of ACDD-2019, thank you to all who have contributed to this great work.

The Annual International Conference of the Egyptian Association for Cancer Research: Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery (ACDD-2019)

Drug discovery and development together are the complete practice of identifying a new drug and passing it to market. It covers all areas of cancer biology, from cell signaling pathways to tumor hypoxia and from angiogenesis to cell death pathways. The Egyptian Association for Cancer Research (EACR) successfully organized its annual international conference under the theme of “Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery, 21-22 April 2019 at Tanta University convention Center, Egypt. ACDD-2019 was an excellent opportunity to gather national researchers and international researchers from the USA, China, Japan, KSA, and other countries to share their interest in drug discovery and development. The conference included 3 main sessions on day 1 and 8 sessions on day 2. Day 1 included 13 keynote speakers covering different subjects in anti-cancer drug discovery and based on nanoparticles, gene therapy, immunotherapy, and natural and synthetic compounds. Day 2 focused on the roles of the center of excellence of scientific research in drug discovery, parasite and marine compounds and cancer, natural and synthetic anti-cancer drugs, molecular oncology and cancer stem cells, and cancer immunology and immunotherapy. About 600 participants attended the conference including undergraduate and postgraduate students as well as faculty members from different colleges, universities, and research centers in Egypt. ACDD-2019 (http://acdd.tanta.edu.eg/) represented an outstanding opportunity for sharing thoughts and ideas for collaborative research in anti-cancer drug discovery and development from chemical synthesis to the clinic.

Alzheimer's disease research progress in Australia: The Alzheimer's Association International Conference Satellite Symposium in Sydney.

The Alzheimer's Association International Conference held its sixth Satellite Symposium in Sydney, Australia in 2019, highlighting the leadership of Australian researchers in advancing the understanding of and treatment developments for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other dementias. This leadership includes the Australian Imaging, Biomarker, and Lifestyle Flagship Study of Ageing (AIBL), which has fueled the identification and development of many biomarkers and novel therapeutics. Two multimodal lifestyle intervention studies have been launched in Australia; and Australian researchers have played leadership roles in other global studies in diverse populations. Australian researchers have also played an instrumental role in efforts to understand mechanisms underlying vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia; and through the Women's Healthy Aging Project have elucidated hormonal and other factors that contribute to the increased risk of AD in women. Alleviating the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia has also been a strong research and clinical focus in Australia.

Expanding Representation of Low and Middle Income Countries in Global Dementia Research: Commentary From the Alzheimer's Association.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and all other dementia represent a global challenge, with an estimated 50 million individuals in the world living with dementia today. In low and middle income countries (LMICs), the burden of disease often is greater, and some of these countries are projected to have some of the largest increases in dementia prevalence during the next few decades. As the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to AD and all other dementia, the Alzheimer's Association is committed to its vision of a world without dementia and recognizes the needs, challenges, and opportunities for dementia research in all parts of the world, and especially in LMICs. Currently, the Association is devoting more than $215 million in funding to nearly 600 best-of-field projects in 31 countries, including a significant number of projects that advance and support LMIC-specific research. The innovative work in LMICs is focused on addressing unmet needs or challenges associated with the many unique cultural, demographic, and economic characteristics of these countries. The Association also is expanding leading global forums such as the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC). In an effort to create new learning and participation opportunities, the Association also has been partnering with other international organizations and collaborating with local leadership to provide AAIC Satellite Symposia (AAIC SS) in LMIC regions around the world. In 2021 and beyond, the Association is committed to continuing these LMIC-focused initiatives, identifying gaps in LMIC research and resources, and enhancing collaboration and communication among researchers in these regions.

Alzheimer's Association International Conference Neuroscience Next focused on early career researchers across all of neuroscience.

Alzheimer's Association International Conference Neuroscience Next focused on early career researchers across all of neuroscience.

Alzheimer's Association International Conference 2021. Denver/Virtual - July 26-30, 2021

Alzheimer's Association International Conference 2021. Denver/Virtual - July 26-30, 2021

Flu Immunization Linked to Lower Alzheimer’s Risk

Back to table of contents Previous article Next article Clinical & ResearchFull AccessFlu Immunization Linked to Lower Alzheimer’s RiskTerri D'ArrigoTerri D'ArrigoSearch for more papers by this authorPublished Online:24 Sep 2020https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.pn.2020.9a6AbstractLower risk may be tied to averting inflammation caused by infection and chronic disease.Patients who receive at least one influenza immunization over the course of their lives may be less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease compared with those who are never vaccinated, according to research presented at the virtual Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in July.“Getting vaccinated may keep the immune system in shape.” —Albert AmranAlbert Amran, a fourth-year medical student at McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, and colleagues analyzed data from 9,600 electronic medical records drawn from more than 600 hospitals and clinics. They found that compared with patients who had never received an influenza immunization, men who received one influenza immunization had a 27% lower likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease, and women had a 22% lower likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease. The researchers also found that influenza immunization was associated with a 28% lower likelihood in patients with diabetes.Although the study was not designed to determine exactly how influenza immunization might lower risk, it may be that vaccination affects known risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease, such as chronic conditions that cause inflammation, Amran told Psychiatric News. This may be why vaccination appeared to lower Alzheimer’s risk in patients with diabetes, as diabetes is associated with inflammation, he added.“Inflammation in the brain is thought to be a key player in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. The amyloid plaques that are the hallmark of this disease can induce neuroinflammatory responses themselves, and a strong immune reaction to these plaques is thought to drive cellular death,” Amran explained. “Controlling risk factors that are related to inflammation throughout the body is currently one of the focuses of research on how to prevent Alzheimer’s disease.”Infections also cause inflammation, so avoiding the flu via immunization may help, Amran said.“As people get older, the immune system is less able to control infection, which is what we’re currently seeing in the [COVID-19] pandemic with the virus affecting older people more than younger people,” Amran said. “Getting vaccinated may keep the immune system in shape.”Amran said that further research is necessary, but in the meantime, patients should be counseled to get immunized.“Although we can’t say that preventing Alzheimer’s is another reason to get a flu shot, it certainly won’t increase the risk,” Amran said. “Patients who haven’t gotten flu shots before should get one this year anyway. It’s more important than ever because of the pandemic.” ■ ISSUES NewArchived