The International Society to Advance Alzheimer's Research and Treatment (ISTAART) hosted dedicated programming at AD/PD 2026, bringing together researchers focused on Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and related neurodegenerative conditions. ISTAART sessions provided professional development opportunities, networking, and cutting-edge research presentations across multiple Professional Interest Areas (PIAs)[@adpd2026][@istaart].
ISTAART Professional Interest Areas (PIAs)
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Dates: March 17-21, 2026
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
Organizer: Kenes Group
Overview
Mermaid diagram (expand to render)
The International Society to Advance Alzheimer's Research and Treatment (ISTAART) hosted dedicated programming at AD/PD 2026, bringing together researchers focused on Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and related neurodegenerative conditions. ISTAART sessions provided professional development opportunities, networking, and cutting-edge research presentations across multiple Professional Interest Areas (PIAs)[@adpd2026][@istaart].
ISTAART Professional Interest Areas (PIAs)
ISTAART organizes researchers into specialized Professional Interest Areas, each focusing on specific aspects of neurodegenerative disease research:
Amyloid PIA
Sessions focused on amyloid biology and therapeutic targeting:
Novel amyloid detection methods: Advances in PET tracers and fluid biomarkers
Anti-amyloid immunotherapy updates: Latest clinical trial results for lecanemab, donanemab, and other antibodies
Amyloid cascade mechanisms: New insights into APP processing and Aβ aggregation
APOE effects: Genetic modifiers of amyloid pathology
Tau PIA
The Tau-focused sessions covered:
Tau propagation mechanisms: Spreading through neural networks
Anti-tau therapeutics: Immunotherapy and small molecule approaches
Tau PET imaging: New tracers and validation studies
Tau species determination: Different forms and their disease relevance
Neuroinflammation PIA
Inflammation-focused sessions explored:
Microglial activation: Disease-associated microglia and therapeutic targeting
TREM2 biology: Genetic variants and pharmacological modulation
Complement system: Role in neurodegeneration and therapeutic potential
Inflammatory biomarkers: Fluid markers of neuroinflammation
Biomarkers PIA
Biomarker-focused programming included:
Blood-based biomarkers: p-tau217, p-tau181, and other emerging tests
Treatment implications: Considerations for clinical trials
Sleep and Circadian Rhythms PIA
Sessions on sleep disturbances in neurodegeneration:
REM sleep behavior disorder: As prodromal marker in synucleinopathies
Sleep architecture changes: Effects on disease progression
Therapeutic interventions: Improving sleep in neurodegenerative diseases
Circadian disruption: Role in disease pathogenesis
reserve, resilience, and resistance PIA
Cognitive reserve and resilience sessions addressed:
Cognitive reserve mechanisms: Protective factors against neurodegeneration
Lifestyle factors: Education, physical activity, and cognitive engagement
Neuroimaging correlates: Structural and functional brain reserve
Therapeutic implications: Building cognitive reserve
Neuroethics PIA
Ethics-focused sessions covered:
Informed consent in clinical trials: Challenges with cognitively impaired participants
Genetic testing ethics: APOE and other genetic risk factors
Brain donation: Increasing participation in research
Data sharing ethics: Balancing privacy and research advancement
Special ISTAART Events at AD/PD 2026
Networking Reception
The ISTAART networking reception provided opportunities for researchers at all career stages to connect with colleagues, mentors, and potential collaborators across the neurodegenerative disease research community.
Early Career Investigator Sessions
Sessions specifically designed for junior researchers included:
Grant writing workshops: Strategies for obtaining funding
Career development panels: Pathways in academia and industry
Poster presentation skills: Effective communication of research
Mentorship matching: Connecting with senior investigators
Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives
ISTAART programming emphasized:
Underrepresented populations: Inclusion in clinical research
Global health disparities: Access to care and research participation
Women in neuroscience: Leadership development
International collaborations: Building global research networks