Discover groundbreaking research, innovative treatments, and global collaboration shaping the future of brain health
Imagine a world where we could detect Alzheimer's disease decades before symptoms appear, where simple blood tests could reveal your brain health status, and where lifestyle changes could be as powerful as medications in preserving your memories.
This future is now taking shape at AAIC Neuroscience Next, the premier global conference that brings together the brightest minds in dementia science. When nearly 3,000 researchers, clinicians, and innovators gathered recently, they shared discoveries that are fundamentally changing our approach to brain health and dementia treatment 1 8 .
We've reached "a tipping point" in Alzheimer's research, with the first treatments now available but still more work needed to develop safer, more effective options 9 .
3,000+
Researchers Attended
6
Continents Represented
25+
New Drug Candidates
5
New IND Applications
The conference highlighted remarkable progress in pharmacological treatments for Alzheimer's disease, marking a significant milestone after decades of research. Anti-amyloid immunotherapies—treatments that target the beta-amyloid protein plaques in the brain—have become the first FDA-approved drugs that actually slow cognitive decline in early Alzheimer's rather than just managing symptoms 2 9 .
| Drug/Approach | Mechanism of Action | Potential Applications | Development Stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| CT1812 | Displaces toxic protein aggregates at synapses | Alzheimer's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies | Phase 2B trials 2 |
| Levetiracetam | Reduces abnormal electrical brain activity | Mild cognitive impairment (especially in non-APOE ε4 carriers) | Phase 2 trials 2 |
| Novel anti-inflammatory compounds | Protects neurons from inflammation-driven damage | Early-stage Alzheimer's prevention | Preclinical development 9 |
The Alzheimer's Drug Development Program has been particularly productive, with at least 25 new drug candidates advancing to human trials and five new Investigational New Drug applications submitted in 2024 alone 2 . What makes this new generation of treatments so promising is their focus on multiple dementia types simultaneously—recognizing that many patients, especially older adults, often have "mixed dementia" with multiple different pathologies contributing to their symptoms 2 .
Perhaps the most empowering news from the conference came from research demonstrating how modifiable lifestyle factors can significantly impact brain health. The U.S. POINTER study results presented at the conference showed that two different intensive lifestyle programs improved cognition in older adults at risk for cognitive decline 6 .
These findings reinforce how increased physical activity, better nutrition, greater social engagement, and health monitoring can help maintain brain health.
Even more compelling, data from international studies revealed that exercise—particularly regular walking—provides the strongest cognitive benefits for people with genetic risk for Alzheimer's 6 . This suggests that lifestyle interventions might offer particular protection for those most vulnerable to the disease.
The conference also highlighted surprising connections between broader social factors and cognitive health. Research presented showed that participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) experienced slower cognitive decline over a decade 6 , highlighting the importance of food security programs for maintaining brain health.
Another study explored how high childhood exposure to lead can impact memory late in life 6 , reminding us that dementia risk factors can operate across the entire lifespan.
Despite the exciting progress, researchers at the conference openly discussed significant methodological challenges that have historically hampered dementia research. One fundamental problem has been defining and measuring dementia consistently across studies 7 .
"Dementia remains a clinical diagnosis" with different classification systems that don't always agree 7 .
A critical challenge highlighted was the underrepresentation of key populations in dementia research. Non-Hispanic White individuals are particularly overrepresented in existing studies, while other racial and ethnic groups are disproportionately underrepresented 3 .
One analysis found that fewer than 200 American Indians were represented in data on more than 40,000 individuals in a major national dataset 3 . This represents a major scientific and ethical problem, especially since dementia disproportionately impacts some non-White populations 3 .
The conference showcased several transformative technologies poised to revolutionize how we understand, diagnose, and treat dementia:
The Alzheimer's Association introduced the first evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for utilizing blood biomarker tests to assist in diagnosing Alzheimer's 6 . Even more promising, new blood tests can now detect the beginnings of tau pathology long before it's visible on PET scans 9 .
This ambitious project aims to accelerate development of innovative technologies to produce a new, dynamic picture of the brain 4 . Its goals include characterizing all brain cell types, generating detailed circuit diagrams of the brain, and developing tools to monitor and manipulate neural activity 4 .
Through initiatives like the BRAIN Initiative Armamentarium project, researchers are developing sophisticated tools such as viral vectors, nucleic acid constructs, and nanoparticles designed for selective access to brain cell types .
| Research Tool | Function | Application in Dementia Research |
|---|---|---|
| Viral Vectors | Deliver genetic material to specific brain cell types | Studying gene function in neurodegenerative diseases |
| Nucleic Acid Constructs | Modify gene expression in targeted cells | Investigating role of specific proteins in dementia pathogenesis |
| Nanoparticles | Enable targeted drug delivery across blood-brain barrier | Developing more effective treatments with fewer side effects |
Blood-based biomarkers for tau pathology enable detection of Alzheimer's decades before symptoms 9
FDA-approved anti-amyloid immunotherapies become first disease-modifying treatments for Alzheimer's 2 9
U.S. POINTER study provides evidence that lifestyle changes can improve cognition in at-risk older adults 6
Clinical guidelines for blood-based biomarkers increase accessibility of early diagnosis 6
What sets AAIC Neuroscience Next apart is its innovative hub-based model that connects global and local scientific communities 1 . Attendees can tune into the virtual core scientific program from anywhere in the world while participating in person at one of the hubs across six locations: San Jose, Costa Rica; Montevideo, Uruguay; Nnewi, Nigeria; Manchester, United Kingdom; Prishtina, Kosovo; and Sydney, Australia 8 .
This structure fosters unprecedented international collaboration while ensuring that diverse perspectives inform dementia science. The conference's no-cost model and virtual accessibility further democratize participation, allowing researchers from low- and middle-income countries to contribute fully to the global scientific dialogue 1 .
The energy and optimism at AAIC Neuroscience Next reflects a field at a pivotal moment. After decades of slow progress, dementia research has reached a tipping point 9 . The discoveries shared at the conference—from lifestyle interventions that empower individuals to protect their brain health to advanced therapeutics targeting the specific biology of neurodegeneration—paint a picture of a future where dementia may be both preventable and treatable.
The nearly 3,000 researchers who gathered for AAIC Neuroscience Next represent a global community united by a shared mission. As one researcher noted, while there's still a long way to go, we're beginning to see the first treatments that actually slow the course of Alzheimer's disease 9 . With continued innovation, collaboration, and investment—particularly in diverse populations, novel technologies, and early-career scientists—the future of dementia science looks brighter than ever.
| Research Area | Key Advance | Potential Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Early Detection | Blood-based biomarkers for tau pathology | Detection of Alzheimer's decades before symptoms 9 |
| Treatment | FDA-approved anti-amyloid immunotherapies | First disease-modifying treatments for Alzheimer's 2 9 |
| Prevention | U.S. POINTER lifestyle intervention results | Evidence that lifestyle changes can improve cognition in at-risk older adults 6 |
| Health Equity | Clinical guidelines for blood-based biomarkers | Increased accessibility of early diagnosis 6 |
| Drug Development | CT1812 targets multiple protein aggregates | Potential treatment for multiple types of dementia 2 |
As these advances continue to unfold, AAIC Neuroscience Next will remain the place where the future of dementia science comes to life—where laboratory discoveries transform into real-world solutions, and where a global community collaborates to turn the tide against these devastating diseases.