AAIC 2026: Synaptic Function Preservation

AAIC 2026: Synaptic Function Preservation

Conference: AAIC 2026 | Dates: July 12-15, 2026 | Location: Excel London, UK

Overview

Synaptic loss is the strongest correlate of cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease, and preserving synaptic function has emerged as a critical therapeutic strategy. AAIC 2026 features extensive programming on synaptic biology, including mechanisms of synaptic degeneration, protective interventions, and synaptic resilience approaches["@selkoe2024"].

Key Topics

Synaptic Vulnerability Mechanisms

Pre-Synaptic Terminal Dysfunction

• Vesicle Cycling Impairment: Disruptions in synaptic vesicle release and recycling
• neurotransmitter depletion: Reduced synthesis and packaging of neurotransmitters
• Calcium dysregulation: Altered calcium signaling affecting vesicle dynamics

Post-Synaptic Dysfunction

• Receptor downregulation: Loss of AMPA, NMDA, and muscarinic receptors
• Dendritic spine loss: Structural alterations in postsynaptic compartments
• Synaptic plasticity deficits: Impaired LTP and LTD mechanisms

Synaptic Protective Pathways

Neurotrophic Factor Signaling

AAIC 2026: Synaptic Function Preservation

Conference: AAIC 2026 | Dates: July 12-15, 2026 | Location: Excel London, UK

Overview

Synaptic loss is the strongest correlate of cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease, and preserving synaptic function has emerged as a critical therapeutic strategy. AAIC 2026 features extensive programming on synaptic biology, including mechanisms of synaptic degeneration, protective interventions, and synaptic resilience approaches["@selkoe2024"].

Key Topics

Synaptic Vulnerability Mechanisms

Pre-Synaptic Terminal Dysfunction

• Vesicle Cycling Impairment: Disruptions in synaptic vesicle release and recycling
• neurotransmitter depletion: Reduced synthesis and packaging of neurotransmitters
• Calcium dysregulation: Altered calcium signaling affecting vesicle dynamics

Post-Synaptic Dysfunction

• Receptor downregulation: Loss of AMPA, NMDA, and muscarinic receptors
• Dendritic spine loss: Structural alterations in postsynaptic compartments
• Synaptic plasticity deficits: Impaired LTP and LTD mechanisms

Synaptic Protective Pathways

Neurotrophic Factor Signaling

• BDNF/TrkB signaling: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor pathways
• Activity-dependent synaptic strengthening: How neuronal activity promotes synapse stability
• Synaptic scaffolding proteins: PSD-95, synapsin, and related molecules

Cellular Energy Support

• Mitochondrial dynamics: Preserving energy supply at synapses
• Synaptic glucose metabolism: Local energy requirements
• NAD+ metabolism: Sirtuin pathways in synaptic protection

Synaptic Resilience Factors

Genetic Modifiers

• Synaptic genes: Variations affecting synapse stability
• Resilience alleles: Protective genetic variants
• APOE isoforms: Differential effects on synaptic function

Environmental Factors

• Cognitive reserve: How education and engagement protect synapses
• Synaptic plasticity throughout life: Activity-dependent maintenance
• Sleep and synaptic homeostasis: The role of sleep in synaptic repair

Therapeutic Approaches

Small Molecule Interventions

Synaptic Function Enhancers

• AMPAkines: Positive allosteric modulators of AMPA receptors
• NMDA receptor modulators: Fine-tuning glutamatergic signaling
• Muscarinic agonists: M1-selective activation for synaptic plasticity

Neurotrophic Factor Mimetics

• BDNF mimetics: Small molecule analogs
• TrkB agonists: Receptor activation strategies
• GDNF family ligands: Supporting cholinergic neurons

Immunotherapeutic Approaches

Anti-Synuclein Immunotherapies

• Passive immunization: Anti-alpha-synuclein antibodies
• Active vaccination: Synuclein-targeted vaccines
• Oligomer-targeting: Specific removal of toxic species

Targeting Synaptic Pathology

• Anti-tau immunotherapy: Preventing tau-mediated synaptic damage
• Anti-amyloid approaches: Reducing synaptic amyloid burden

Gene Therapy and Cell-Based Approaches

Viral Vector Delivery

• AAV-mediated BDNF delivery: Gene therapy for neurotrophic support
• Synaptic protein gene delivery: Replenishing critical molecules
• Regulated expression systems: Controllable therapeutic expression

Cell Replacement Strategies

• Cholinergic neuron transplantation: Replacing lost neurons
• Synaptic reconstitution: Engineering synaptic connections
• Organoid approaches: Three-dimensional neural tissues

Notable Sessions

Symposia

• "Synaptic Failure in Alzheimer's Disease: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Targets"
• "Preserving Synaptic Function: From Biology to Clinical Translation"
• "Neurotrophic Factor Signaling in Cognitive Decline"

Workshops

• "Measuring Synaptic Function in Clinical Trials"
• "Synaptic Biomarkers: PET, CSF, and Blood"
• "Translational Models of Synaptic Dysfunction"

Related NeuroWiki Content

• [Synaptic Dysfunction Pathway](/mechanisms/synaptic-dysfunction-pathway)
• [Synaptic Failure in Neurodegeneration](/mechanisms/synaptic-failure-neurodegeneration)
• [Synaptic Loss in AD](/mechanisms/synaptic-loss-ad)
• BDNF Signaling Pathway
• NMDA Receptor Signaling
• AMPA Receptor Trafficking

See Also

• [AAIC 2026 Conference](/events/aaic-2026)
• [AAIC 2026: Therapeutic Approaches](/events/aaic-2026/therapeutic-approaches)
• [AAIC 2026: Neuroinflammation](/events/aaic-2026/neuroinflammation)
• [Alzheimer's Disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease)
• [Synaptic Plasticity](/mechanisms/synaptic-plasticity)

References