AAIC 2024 previewed the future of Alzheimer's and dementia prevention, care, and treatment

Every year, the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) provides a forum for the world's leading scientists in the field of Alzheimer's disease and dementia research to come together and share their findings on the state of the science. In July 2024, individuals ranging from the globe's most experienced dementia investigators to those new to Alzheimer's and dementia research converged in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, to hear the latest discoveries in risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, care, and more at AAIC 2024.

AAIC is the world's largest gathering of dementia researchers, and clinicians AAIC 2024 broke records with the largest number of in-person attendees – over 8600. An additional 5700-plus joined online, for a total of over 14,400 attendees. More than half (57%) were women, and 38% were first-time participants. One-third were under the age of 35.

Attendees in Philadelphia and online had the opportunity to choose from more than 800 podium presentations and scientific sessions, as well as more than 3500 in-person poster presentations and nearly 900 virtual poster presentations. Among the topics explored were the biological underpinnings of dementia, clinical study recruitment, diversification of the clinical trial pipeline, health disparities, and factors that contribute to dementia risk across the life course.

This year, more than 500 conference fellowships were awarded, by the Alzheimer's Association covering expenses such as travel, housing, or registration for those selected. The fellowships prioritize early career researchers and those from low- and middle-income countries, helping them build their careers and professional connections in Alzheimer's and dementia research, care, and treatment and ensuring their representation in all discussions of scientific discovery. Conference attendees represented 101 countries from around the world.

In her welcome remarks, Alzheimer's Association President and CEO Joanne Pike, DrPH, emphasized global accomplishments and global challenges.

“Thanks to you and your peers in the global scientific community, we are making progress across the entire continuum of this disease,” said Pike. “In every year that goes by, you are building more and more understanding about how we can prevent this disease, diagnose it early, treat it, and care for those experiencing it. This progress is indeed incredible, but with progress comes the potential for significant inequities in who can benefit from the latest knowledge or latest innovation.”

Pike continued; “The Alzheimer's Association is working in partnership with global leaders and our peers in countries around the world to develop public health solutions to meet the challenges of this moment, including how we translate your work and implement it not just in countries that have the most access, but in every country around the world, so that no one is left behind.”

“As Dr. Pike mentioned, our field's evolution in the past few years is truly extraordinary,” said Maria C. Carrillo, PhD, the association's chief science officer and medical affairs lead, in her welcoming remarks. “In just a few years, we've gone from not having treatments that address the underlying biology of Alzheimer's to multiple approved treatments now being marketed in the United States and a few other countries. Although this is a celebratory moment for many of us, the moment also highlights our global challenges to ensure we bring everyone along with us [so that all have access to treatment].”

In addition to convening the world's largest gathering of dementia scientists, the Alzheimer's Association funds more Alzheimer's and dementia research than any other non-profit organization worldwide.

“I am proud to be at an organization that is so deeply committed to supporting your work and our global scientific community,” shared Carrillo. “Earlier this month, our latest award cycle has brought our total investment in your work to $430 million working in more than 1,100 projects spanning the spectrum of dementia science in 56 countries!”

Carrillo's excitement was echoed throughout AAIC 2024 as researchers shared their discoveries with attendees and the world. What follow are some of the key stories emanating from AAIC 2024.

Alzheimer's and other dementias are complex diseases, and future treatments will likely require combinations of therapies that address the diseases in multiple ways. In addition to lecanemab and donanemab, US Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs for the treatment of early symptomatic Alzheimer's, scientists are exploring whether drugs approved for other health conditions may be repurposed to protect brain health.

One group of drugs under consideration is glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, which can help people manage diabetes, lose weight, and lower their risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease. They work by mimicking the natural hormone glucagon-like peptide, which is released by the stomach after eating. Recent studies with animal models suggest that some GLP-1 receptor agonists may protect the brain by reducing early forms of Aβ, normalizing the brain's processing of glucose, and improving memory and learning.

Data from a phase 2b clinical trial of the GLP-1 receptor agonist liraglutide were presented at AAIC 2024. While the clinical trial did not meet its primary endpoint of change in the cerebral glucose metabolic rate in the cortical regions of the brain (hippocampus, medial temporal lobe, and posterior cingulate), the results suggest that liraglutide may protect the brains of those with mild Alzheimer's disease. In the clinical trial, cognitive decline was slowed by as much as 18% after 1 year of treatment, compared with placebo. It also reduced shrinking by nearly 50% in parts of the brain that affect memory, learning, language, and decision-making compared with placebo. (Paul Edison, MD, PhD, et al. Evaluation of novel GLP-1 analogue in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Funding: Alzheimer's Society, UK; Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation, Novo Nordisk AS, John and Lucille Van Geest Foundation, National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre).

Though age is the greatest risk factor for Alzheimer's, researchers are studying an array of other factors that may play an important role in disease risk. Some of these factors may be modified to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's. Research studies presented at AAIC 2024 shed light on some of these potentially modifiable risk factors.

In addition to being a forum for the presentation of new discoveries in Alzheimer's and dementia science, AAIC is a platform for recognizing individuals whose discoveries have made a significant difference in the field. Several individuals were recognized at AAIC 2024.

Be sure to mark your calendars for AAIC 2025 (aaic.alz.org), July 27 to 31, 2025, in Toronto, Canada, and online. Abstract and session submission opens in December 2024 and closes in January 2025. Registration opens in March 2025.