The VIB Conference New Horizons in Alzheimer's Disease (Hybrid edition) was packed with leading scientists in the AD field, one of them being our very own Bart De Strooper. Professor De Strooper was co-organizer of this meeting and spoke in depth on the cellular phase of Alzheimer’s disease.
In his closing words of the meeting he was optimistic about the future for Alzheimer's Research:
"I have the impression that we really are going into the next decade with new biomarkers and a better understanding of this disease. And also an understanding that this is a complex disease with many different mechanisms and pathways. It opens new possibilities for not only exciting science and more importantly to identify targets and help the patients who suffer from this disease."
Bart De Strooper is scientific director of the UK-Dementia Research Institute since October 2016. He is professor of molecular medicine at the KU Leuven and VIB, Belgium and professor in dementia research at the University College London, UK.
Bart De Strooper’s scientific work focuses on the understanding of the fundamental mechanisms that underlie Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. His major findings are the role of ADAM10 and presenilin/gamma-secretase in the proteolysis of the amyloid precursor protein and Notch, and he has worked on microRNA, mitochondria, and more recently on the role of the different brain cell types in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Towards a better understanding of the preclinical phase
Professor De Strooper presented recent work that provides links between genetics of AD and this complex cellular phase of AD. His group expects that better understanding of this preclinical phase will lead to completely new ways of diagnosing and treating Alzheimer’s disease, with more focus on prevention of dementia itself.
Watch the recording of his talk on The cellular phase of Alzheimer’s disease here.
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