This annual conference brings together academic and industry scientists intent on accelerating the development of innovative treatments for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The ADDF's funded investigators and leading scientists in the field present their current research progress and stimulate discussion. The conference offers ample opportunity for collaboration and partnering.
The 2017 program was organized into four sessions.
Session 1: Neuroinflammation
Talks will highlight unique neuroinflammation targets and repurposing opportunities relevant to inflammation.
Presenters include:
• Jurgen Claassen, PhD, Radboud University
• Alpaslan Dedeoglu, MD, PhD, Boston University School of Medicine
• Milton Greenberg, PhD, Vivreon Biosciences
• Philip Haydon, PhD, GliaCure
• D. Martin Watterson, PhD, Northwestern University
Session 2: Neuroprotection and Neural Regeneration
Talks will highlight therapeutic approaches targeting neurotrophic factors or hormones that promote neuronal survival, strategies to convert neural stem cells into mature neurons, and approaches to prevent neuronal death.
Presenters include:
• Roberta Diaz Brinton, PhD, University of Arizona Health Sciences
• Travis Dunckley, PhD, Arizona State University
• Leen Kawas, PhD, M3 Biotechnology
• Michael Peel, PhD, Cypralis, Ltd.
• William J. Ray, PhD, The Neurodegeneration Constortium, MD Anderson
• Yan Jessie Zhang, PhD, University of Texas, Austin
Session 3: Epigenetics and Cognitive Enhancing
Talks will highlight advances in epigenetic therapeutics, comparative effectiveness research, and drug repurposing in treating or preventing cognitive symptoms associated with Alzheimer's, mild cognitive impairment, and aging.
Presenters include:
• Lenore Launer, PhD, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging
• Allan Levey, MD, PhD, Emory University
• Tamara Maes, PhD, Oryzon Genomics S.A.
• Ana Pereira, MD, The Rockefeller University
• Maria Quinton, PhD, Rodin Therapeutics
• Neil Vasdev, PhD, Massachusetts General Hospital
Session 4: Misfolded Proteins and Proteostasis
Talks will highlight drug discovery programs pursuing innovative routes towards solving the problem of misfolded proteins and protein accumulation, along with biomarker programs under development.
Presenters include:
• Steven Finkbeiner, MD, PhD, Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, UCSF
• Brent Stockwell, PhD, Columbia University
• Dominic Walsh, PhD, Brigham & Women's Hospital
• Xinglong Wang, PhD, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine