This episode of the Dementia Researcher Podcast comes from the AD PD Conference 2026 in Copenhagen, bringing together global researchers to share the latest in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease research.

Hosted by Professor David Cash, the episode features Grace Thompson, Dr Marieta Vassileva, and Dr Alice Carstairs, each offering their own highlights from across the conference.

Rather than trying to cover everything, the conversation focuses on standout talks and emerging themes. These include advances in biomarkers, growing interest in co pathology, the role of neuroinflammation, and how new tools like AI and multiomics are changing how we understand disease.

Across the discussion, the group reflects on what new findings might mean for diagnosis, treatment, and the future direction of dementia research. There is also a strong sense of optimism, with the field moving towards combination therapies and earlier intervention.

This is Part One of a two part series capturing reflections from the conference.

ADPD Conference Website - adpd.kenes.com/

Top Takeaways:

• Biomarkers are now central across diagnosis, prediction, and trials
• Co pathology is a major theme, with diseases rarely existing in isolation
• Tau is emerging as a key driver of cognitive decline
• Microglia and neuroinflammation offer new therapeutic targets
• Multiomics is helping uncover detailed disease mechanisms
• AI is becoming essential for handling complex datasets
• Early career researchers are playing a visible role at major conferences
• Synaptic loss is strongly linked to cognitive decline
• Combination therapies are increasingly seen as the future
• The field feels more optimistic than in previous years

A transcript of this show, links and show notes and profile on all our guests are available on our website at www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk

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