The ASI is very proud to share their AlzTalks You Tube channel.

The Alz Talks, designed to be an innovative way to to open up a conversation on dementia and challenge stigma, feature people living with dementia, carers and musicians and were recorded in October 2016.

The talks can be accessed through : www.youtube.com/c/alztalks 

IDS-TILDA is a longitudinal study researching ageing in Ireland among people with an intellectual disability aged 40 and over (n=approximately 750 people). Individuals with an intellectual disability, particularly those with Down Syndrome are at an increased risk of developing an Alzheimer’s related dementia. The IDS-TILDA collects information on Intellectual Disability and Dementia.

BIOMARKAPD is a multi-national research project comprising 51 sites in 21 countries, including Ireland. This JPND (Joint Programme on Neurodegenerative Diseases) funded collaborative research project aims to develop optimally informative biomarkers for AD and PD and the harmonisation of their use. The Irish strand of BIOMARKPD aims to; standardise biomarker measurement and interpretation nationally; develop and make available a CSF test for ND biomarkers in AD and PD; Establish and sustain a registry of ND; and bring clarity to biomarker interpretation to support diagnosis.

As part of the BIOMARKPD initiative the Irish Network for Biomarkers in Neurodegeneration (IN-BIND) was established. It is a research infrastructure aimed at creating a functional network for clinical and laboratory based scientists working in this area. Similar to BIOMARKPD, the aims of IN-BIND are the standardisation of biomarker measurement across Ireland and Europe to include i) sample collection, ii) measurement, iii) and interpretation.

SOPHIA is a consortium of 17 ALS centres in Europe. The consortium aim to develop a common strategy for the prioritization and harmonization of biomarkers for ALS and neurodegenerative diseases. In particular, it aims to validate neurochemical biomarkers for monitoring disease activity, for generating earlier diagnoses and for defining prognosis.

DNNI and the Alzheimer Society of Ireland recently hosted a Dementia Research Consensus Forum on 10th April in Dublin. 

Thank you to all those who joined us on the day to discuss dementia research prioritisation and research funding. We are now preparing a report based on the roundtable feedback which will be available shortly.

The School of Nursing and Human Sciences in DCU has two new streams running from September 2018:

The AAIC Satellite Symposium will take place online from May 12th-13th 2021 and attendance is free of charge. AAIC are partnering with the Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI) for this event.

Leading experts will explore emerging dementia research in the Mediterranean region and network with others who share your interests. As part of the year-round learning opportunities offered by AAIC, noted researchers will discuss the latest findings and information around:

The Alzheimer’s Association International Conference® (AAIC) will take place online 26th – 30th July 2021. Join the world’s leading basic scientists, clinical researchers, early career investigators, clinicians and the care research community who will share breaking research discoveries that will lead to methods of prevention and treatment and improvements in diagnosis for Alzheimer’s disease.

General abstract submission has closed. Abstract submissions for Developing Topics will open late April / early May and close in early June.

Throughout March – May 2021, Dementia Research Network Ireland will host a free online webinar series on the topic of Brain Health. Designed for a public audience, leading researchers in the field of brain health will address the following questions:

• How does brain health affect our cognition and how do we measure it?

• How does food affect our brain health?

• Can physical training exercise our brains?

• What are healthy habits for a healthy mind?

• What can neuroimaging tell us about brain health?