The Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) 2026, held July 12-15, 2026, at Excel London, features sessions on epigenetic mechanisms in Alzheimer's disease. While specific session abstracts are not publicly available prior to the conference, the Basic Science Track includes sessions on molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration, genetic risk factors, and neuroimmune pathways—areas where epigenetic research is prominently featured.
Relevant Session Tracks at AAIC 2026
Basic Science Track
The Basic Science Track covers several areas directly relevant to epigenetic mechanisms:
Molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration — including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and chromatin remodeling
Genetic risk factors and protective variants — including epigenetic GWAS and eQTL studies
Glial biology — microglia and astrocyte epigenetic regulation in neuroinflammation
Neuroimmune pathways — TREM2, complement system, and inflammasome regulation through epigenetic modifications
ISTAART Professional Interest Areas
ISTAART (International Society to Advance Alzheimer's Research and Treatment) sessions include:
Epigenetics PIA — focusing on DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNA
Bioinformatics and Data Science — covering multi-omics integration approaches
Neuronal-Glial Interactions — epigenetic regulation of glial function
Key Topics in Current Epigenetic AD Research
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Overview
The Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) 2026, held July 12-15, 2026, at Excel London, features sessions on epigenetic mechanisms in Alzheimer's disease. While specific session abstracts are not publicly available prior to the conference, the Basic Science Track includes sessions on molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration, genetic risk factors, and neuroimmune pathways—areas where epigenetic research is prominently featured.
Relevant Session Tracks at AAIC 2026
Basic Science Track
The Basic Science Track covers several areas directly relevant to epigenetic mechanisms:
Molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration — including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and chromatin remodeling
Genetic risk factors and protective variants — including epigenetic GWAS and eQTL studies
Glial biology — microglia and astrocyte epigenetic regulation in neuroinflammation
Neuroimmune pathways — TREM2, complement system, and inflammasome regulation through epigenetic modifications
ISTAART Professional Interest Areas
ISTAART (International Society to Advance Alzheimer's Research and Treatment) sessions include:
Epigenetics PIA — focusing on DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNA
Bioinformatics and Data Science — covering multi-omics integration approaches
Neuronal-Glial Interactions — epigenetic regulation of glial function
Key Topics in Current Epigenetic AD Research
DNA Methylation
Genome-wide studies have identified widespread DNA methylation changes in AD brain and blood. Key findings include:
ANK1 hypermethylation — consistently observed in hippocampus and entorhinal cortex
Blood-based biomarkers — DNA methylation signatures correlate with AD pathology
Epigenetic age acceleration — where DNA methylation-based age exceeds chronological age, associated with increased AD risk
Recent meta-analysis by Smith et al. (2024) identified novel differentially methylated loci across cortex in AD brains.
Histone Modifications
Histone acetylation and methylation changes are prominent in AD:
m6A RNA methylation — significantly altered in AD hippocampus
Recent research by Deng et al. (2024) revealed that m6A modification of promoter-antisense RNAs is profoundly rewired in AD, affecting 3D chromatin organization.
Therapeutic Implications
Epigenetic therapies represent a promising approach for AD:
HDAC inhibitors — selective compounds targeting HDAC2 or HDAC6
DNMT modulators — low-dose approaches for BDNF promoter demethylation
Epigenome editing — CRISPR-based tools for targeted epigenetic modification
miRNA therapeutics — miR-132 mimics and anti-miRNA oligonucleotides
Lifestyle interventions — exercise, diet, and stress reduction modify epigenetic marks
See Also
[Epigenetic Mechanisms in Alzheimer's Disease](/mechanisms/epigenetics-ad)
[DNA Methylation in AD](/mechanisms/ad-epigenetic-alterations-pathway)
[Non-Coding RNAs in Neurodegeneration](/mechanisms/non-coding-rna-neurodegeneration)
[m6A RNA Modifications in CBS/PSP](/mechanisms/epitranscriptomics-rna-modifications-cbs-psp)