AD/PD 2026 Neuroinflammation

Dates: March 17-21, 2026 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Organizer: Kenes Group

Overview

Neuroinflammation was a major theme at AD/PD 2026, reflecting the growing recognition that inflammatory processes are not merely consequences but active drivers of neurodegeneration in both Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases[@heneka2024]. The conference featured extensive programming on microglial biology, complement system activation, and inflammatory signaling pathways.

Microglial Biology

Disease-Associated Microglia (DAM)

Sessions explored the transition of microglia from protective to damaging states:

• DAM Pathway Activation: Mechanisms driving microglial activation and phenotypic changes in response to protein pathology
• Temporal Progression: How microglial states evolve across disease stages
• Sex Differences: Emerging data on gender-dependent microglial responses

TREM2 Biology

TREM2 variants and their impact on microglial function were a key focus[@bohm2023]:

• TREM2 Signaling: Impact of risk variants on microglial response to amyloid and tau pathology
• Agonist Development: AL002 and AL003 clinical programs for TREM2 activation
• Biomarker Correlations: CSF and blood TREM2 as disease progression markers
• Therapeutic Window: Optimal timing for TREM2-targeted interventions

Microglial Priming

Dates: March 17-21, 2026 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Organizer: Kenes Group

Overview

Neuroinflammation was a major theme at AD/PD 2026, reflecting the growing recognition that inflammatory processes are not merely consequences but active drivers of neurodegeneration in both Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases[@heneka2024]. The conference featured extensive programming on microglial biology, complement system activation, and inflammatory signaling pathways.

Microglial Biology

Disease-Associated Microglia (DAM)

Sessions explored the transition of microglia from protective to damaging states:

• DAM Pathway Activation: Mechanisms driving microglial activation and phenotypic changes in response to protein pathology
• Temporal Progression: How microglial states evolve across disease stages
• Sex Differences: Emerging data on gender-dependent microglial responses

TREM2 Biology

TREM2 variants and their impact on microglial function were a key focus[@bohm2023]:

• TREM2 Signaling: Impact of risk variants on microglial response to amyloid and tau pathology
• Agonist Development: AL002 and AL003 clinical programs for TREM2 activation
• Biomarker Correlations: CSF and blood TREM2 as disease progression markers
• Therapeutic Window: Optimal timing for TREM2-targeted interventions

Microglial Priming

• Aging Effects: How aging primes microglia for exaggerated inflammatory responses
• Genetic Risk Factors: APOE4 and other genetic variants affecting microglial activation
• Environmental Modulators: Impact of lifestyle factors on microglial states

Inflammasome Activation

NLRP3 Inflammasome

The NLRP3 inflammasome was highlighted as a key driver of neuroinflammation[@stabile2022]:

• Tau Pathology Connection: Role in tau phosphorylation and propagation
• IL-1β Signaling: Pro-inflammatory cytokine signaling in disease progression
• Gasdermin D: Pyroptosis and inflammatory cell death pathways
• Small Molecule Inhibitors: Latest developments in NLRP3-targeted therapies

IL-1 Family Cytokines

• IL-1β: Role in synaptic dysfunction and cognitive decline
• IL-18: Contributions to neuroinflammation and neuronal death
• IL-1RA: Therapeutic potential of interleukin receptor antagonists

Complement System

Synaptic Pruning

• C1q Involvement: Complement-mediated synaptic elimination in early disease
• C3 therapeutics: Novel complement inhibitors for neuroprotection
• Microglia-Neuron Crosstalk: Synaptic maintenance mechanisms

Therapeutic Approaches

• C1q Inhibition: Anti-C1q antibodies for synaptic protection
• C3 Inhibition: Complement C3 as therapeutic target
• Timing Considerations: When to intervene in complement-mediated processes

Parkinson's Disease-Specific Inflammation

Microglial Activation in PD

• α-Synuclein-Induced Inflammation: How alpha-synuclein aggregates trigger microglial activation
• Chronic Activation: Progression from acute to chronic neuroinflammation
• Regional Patterns: Vulnerability of specific brain regions to inflammatory processes

Peripheral-Brain Cross-Talk

• Gut-Brain Axis: Gastrointestinal inflammation and its contribution to PD
• Systemic Immunity: Peripheral immune cell infiltration into the CNS
• Blood-Brain Barrier: Disruption and inflammatory cell trafficking

Therapeutic Strategies

Anti-Inflammatory Approaches

• NSAID Trials: Lessons from past prevention trials
• Targeted Immunomodulation: More selective approaches than broad anti-inflammatory
• Microglia-Specific Targets: Novel targets unique to glial cells

Disease Modification vs Symptomatic Relief

• Timing of Intervention: Critical windows for inflammatory modulation
• Combination Approaches: Anti-inflammatory + disease-modifying combinations
• Biomarker-Driven Selection: Patient selection based on inflammatory markers

Biomarkers of Neuroinflammation

Fluid Biomarkers

• YKL-40: Microglial activation marker
• IL-1β: Pro-inflammatory cytokine levels
• TREM2: Soluble TREM2 as disease marker

Imaging Biomarkers

• TSPO PET: Translocator protein imaging for microglial activation
• MR Spectroscopy: Metabolic signatures of neuroinflammation

Key Takeaways

See Also

• [AD/PD 2026 Conference](/events/adpd-2026)](/events)
• [AD/PD 2026 Scientific Sessions](/events/adpd-2026-scientific-sessions)](/events)
• [AD/PD 2026 Emerging Therapeutic Targets](/events/adpd-2026-emerging-therapeutic-targets)](/events)
• [AD/PD 2026 Clinical Trial Updates](/events/adpd-2026-clinical-trials)](/events)
• [Events Index](/events/conference-index)

References

adpd2026, AD/PD 2026 Conference Website (2026) [1](https://adpd.kenes.com)
bohm2023, TREM2 and neurodegenerative diseases. Nat Rev Neurol. 2023 (2023) [1](https://doi.org/10.1038/s41582-023-00800-1)
deczkowska2023, Disease-associated microglia: A universal target for neurodegeneration. Cell. 2023 (2023) [1](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2023.09.012)
heneka2024, Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease. Lancet Neurol. 2024 (2024) [1](https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(24)00123-6)
stabile2022, NLRP3 inflammasome in neurodegeneration. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2022 (2022) [1](https://doi.org/10.1038/s41583-022-00587-4)

Pathway Diagram