Alzheimer's Association International Conference AAIC 2019

Research presented at this year’s AAIC reflected an influx of new money
into the field and, with it, a growing diversity of topics. There was
new interest in government policy, NIA funding priorities, and
underrepresented minorities, along with an even greater emphasis on
lifestyle factors and technologies to lessen the impact of a dementia
epidemic forecast by demographic change. No large clinical trials
presented major data, while a session picking over the ruins of recent
BACE inhibitor trials showcased some transparency and shared willingness
among pharma companies to learn from failure. Genetics posted news, as
did biomarkers, especially blood tests, and much effort being poured
into preparing observational cohorts for prevention trials was evident.
Imaging continues to light up the field, debuting a new amyloid staging
system and offering head-to-head comparisons of tau ligands. Specific
tracers for neuroinflammation and other proteinopathies are still out of
reach.