On 24–25 February 2026, Alzheimer’s Research UK held its annual research conference at Manchester Central Convention Complex and online. The meeting brought together over 700 researchers spanning molecular biology, data science, clinical trials, prevention, and patient engagement. Over 2 days of plenaries, parallel sessions, and discussions, a clear message emerged: the field of dementia research is entering a new, more hopeful era. This report summarises a meeting that highlighted how dementia research is moving beyond the search for a single solution and instead embracing a multidimensional, collaborative framework for precision care.
Background & Objectives Atypical parkinsonism syndromes (multiple system atrophy (MSA), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), and corticobasal syndrome (CBS)) are life-limiting neurodegenerative disorders with complex motor and nonmotor symptoms. A person-centered, coordinated, multidisciplinary approach may provide optimal care. Interdisciplinary care models in complex neurologic diseases are shown to improve disease outcomes. It is unknown whether specialized interdisciplinary care benefits people with atypical parkinsonism. Our study sought to determine patient satisfaction with a specialized atypical parkinsonism interdisciplinary clinic. Methods A retrospective, cross-sectional analysis was conducted of anonymous satisfaction surveys from patients who attended the UNC atypical parkinsonism interdisciplinary clinic from 10/2017-3/2024. The survey was divided into four subcategories – Services, Results, Clinicians, and Overall Experience. Responses were converted to numerical values for statistical analysis. Linear regression was used to determine predictors of overall experience scores. Qualitative data was analyzed and categorized into themes. Results 51.4% of all clinic attendees were diagnosed with PSP, 36.5% with MSA, and 9.5% with CBS. 39 of 74 (52.7%) satisfaction surveys were completed. Survey responses indicated high levels of satisfaction across all categories. Responses in the services category were the strongest predictor of variability in overall experience scores. Common themes from qualitative data were expressions of gratitude and constructive feedback. Discussion We report high patient satisfaction ratings in this first investigation of patient-centered outcomes in specialized interdisciplinary clinics for atypical parkinsonism. Future investigations focused on quality of life and care partner burden will provide additional insights for best care practices for people living with atypical parkinsonisms.
The BNA ’s winter research meeting took place high above the City of London at Canary Wharf, an inspiring setting to consider new perspectives. The central theme was ‘delivery’ , focusing on translation of fundamental neuroscience into effective therapies. The event targeted three main questions: How can therapies be effectively delivered to the brain? How might ‘meaningful intervention’ be realised for patients? How might hope be maintained for people with neurological and psychiatric disorders? Several interlocking ideas and debates emerged, circling around a central concern of how to move from molecular promise to effective and equitable real-world change for patients.
Late-onset alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, and it arises from complex genetic and environmental interactions. Preclinical models that replicate the slow progression and long prodromal phase of late-onset alzheimer’s disease are critical for identifying early therapeutic targets. The LOAD2 mouse model, developed on the C57BL/6J genetic background, integrates key late-onset alzheimer’s disease genetic risk factors: APOE4 , Trem2 *R47H, and an App allele encoding humanised amyloid beta. This study aimed to characterise key disease-relevant phenotypes of LOAD2 mice during ageing. Behavioural assays were conducted on 18- and 24-month-old LOAD2 and age-matched C57BL/6J wild-type control mice. At 18 months, LOAD2 mice exhibited significantly reduced locomotor activity compared to wild-type controls. However, this difference was diminished at 24 months as wild-type mice displayed an age-related decline in total distance travelled. Similarly, anxiety-like behaviour was elevated in 18-month-old LOAD2 mice relative to wild-type controls, but this difference was no longer evident at 24 months due to increased anxiety levels in aged wild-type mice. In contrast, spatial working memory and associative fear learning were intact in both LOAD2 and wild-type mice at 18 and 24 months of age, indicating no age- or genotype-dependent deficits in these forms of memory. Both groups of mice performed equally poorly in novel object and novel location recognition tasks at both ages. Thus, compared to age-matched wild-type mice, LOAD2 mice exhibit early locomotor deficits and heightened anxiety, but not overt cognitive impairment beyond that of normal ageing. These phenotypes are reminiscent of prodromal symptoms of late-onset alzheimer’s disease in humans.
The term 'cognitive reserve' broadly refers to better-than-expected cognitive abilities in old age, presumed to reflect environmental/lifestyle factors earlier in life. This commentary addresses the question of what determines 'better than expected' cognition; specifically, whether cognitive reserve can be 'explained away' by considering multiple brain measurements. Using simulations, I show that, once one allows for multiple brain properties related to cognition, differential maintenance of those properties can reproduce the clinical picture associated with cognitive reserve. Using real data, I then show that white-matter microstructure and functional connectivity explain significant additional variance in fluid intelligence beyond grey-matter volume (at least cross-sectionally), supporting the importance of measuring multiple brain properties. Using multimodal, longitudinal data to identify changes in those brain properties that are especially important for changes in cognition will help decide which interventions are most likely to be effective at maintaining cognition in old age.
