The 36th Alzheimer Europe Conference took place in Dublin under the banner “Sláinte: Building momentum in dementia through policy, research and partnership”, with a record number of more than 1,400 delegates from 44 countries
The 36th Alzheimer Europe Conference (#36AEC) “Sláinte: Building momentum in dementia through policy, research and partnership” was formally opened on the afternoon of 27 October. The conference took place at the Convention Centre Dublin between 27 and 29 October 2026, attracting over 1,400 delegates from across Ireland, Europe and beyond, with 44 countries represented. On the agenda are three Keynote sessions, three Plenary sessions, 28 sponsored sessions, six series of Quick Oral Presentations counting 69 presentations, 50 parallel sessions involving 207 presentations, and 444 Poster presentations. All our presenters are sharing their research, knowledge and experience in a warm and welcoming atmosphere of collaboration.
Day one – 27 October
Irish Presidency
We were pleased to have the support of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union to this year’s conference, offering a timely and unique platform to elevate dementia on both national and European policy agendas. We were also delighted to welcome Micheál Martin TD, Taoiseach (Prime Minister of Ireland) to the Opening Ceremony.
Having brought this prestigious event to Ireland allowed us to showcase national progress in dementia care, research, and advocacy. It also was an important opportunity to connect with people living with dementia and their families, carers and supporters, as well as volunteers and staff of Alzheimer associations, policy makers, health and social care professionals, researchers, academics and industry representatives from all over Europe and beyond.
Opening Ceremony
Maria do Rosário Zincke dos Reis, Chairperson of Alzheimer Europe, addressed delegates at the Opening Ceremony on 26 October, officially opening the conference and saying a special word of welcome to the Prime Minister and other distinguished guests:
"We are making real progress in placing dementia higher on the European and national health, social and research agendas. Prime Minister, your presence here today sends a powerful signal of the political importance of dementia. Thank you for your commitment and dedication to our cause.
“We are also seeing encouraging advances in research, helping us to prevent dementia, diagnose earlier, develop better treatments, and provide more person-centred care and support.
“Equally important, we have transformed how we view and involve people with dementia. Their voices and experiences are essential, and I am proud that they will play an active role in this year’s conference. We look forward to listening, learning and working together."
She then thanked event gold sponsors, Lilly and Roche; silver sponsors, Bristol Myers Squibb and Siemens Healthineers; and bronze sponsors, BioArctic, Biogen, Eisai, Firalis, MSD and UCB, as well as making special mention of the outstanding partnership Alzheimer Europe has been privileged to enjoy with its conference co-host, the Alzheimer Society of Ireland.
Up next was Cathy Reynolds, Chair of The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, who welcomed delegates to Dublin. Prior to the event, she stated:
“The Alzheimer Europe Conference represents an opportunity to celebrate the longstanding and valued relationship between The Alzheimer Society of Ireland and Alzheimer Europe, which has played a vital role in advancing awareness, research, policy and human rights for people living with dementia across the continent. Through its work, Alzheimer Europe has enabled organisations to learn from one another, share best practice and advocate collectively for meaningful change.
“Ireland holds a special place in this story. The Alzheimer Society of Ireland was one of the founding members of Alzheimer Europe in 1991 and remains deeply engaged with the organisation today. The spirit of collaboration that has defined this relationship is at the heart of the conference.”
She looked forward to “an inspiring and engaging conference in exchanging ideas sharing experiences and building partnerships that will help improve the lives of people living with dementia and their families across Europe.”
“Hosting the Alzheimer Europe Conference in Ireland” she continued “is a significant milestone for The Alzheimer Society of Ireland and for the wider dementia community. It provides us with an opportunity to showcase progress, learn from colleagues across Europe and help shape the future of dementia care and support. Most importantly, it ensures that people living with dementia and their families remain at the centre of the conversation. We see hope every day in the resilience of people living with dementia, the dedication of family carers and the commitment of researchers, healthcare professionals, advocates and policymakers working to create a better future.”
Following Cathy Reynolds’ words of welcome, Micheál Martin TD, Taoiseach / Prime Minister of Ireland took the floor, to welcome delegates, and to offer his support for the Alzheimer Europe Conference. In a press release from The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, ahead of the event, the Taoiseach said:
“It is a great honour for Ireland to host the 36th Alzheimer Europe Conference in Dublin, in partnership with The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, bringing together people from across Europe at a time when dementia is an increasingly important issue for Irish society and for countries across Europe.
“The growing number of people living with dementia is something we need to plan for as our population ages. We need to ensure that our support and services continue to respond to people’s changing needs, enabling people with dementia to live well and independently for as long as possible, while also providing the right support for families and carers.
“Hosting this major European conference gives Ireland an important opportunity to show leadership and learn from the experience of our European partners as we consider how best to respond to dementia in the years ahead. I look forward to welcoming delegates to Dublin and to seeing Ireland play its part in improving the lives of people with dementia and their families, both here at home and across Europe.”
Olivér Várhelyi, European Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare, spoke to delegates via video message. He began by thanking Alzheimer Europe and the Irish Presidency for bringing this important discussion to Dublin.
“Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia can have a devastating impact on patients as well as their loved ones, caregivers and communities, and those effects are also felt within healthcare systems and in wider society”, he said, also noting that “The European Commission is taking action to address these challenges under the Healthier Together initiative. We support cooperation between Member States and civil society on mental health and neurological diseases.”
He gave the example of the Joint Action on Dementia and Health, supported by the EU for Health programme, and stressed that, “as part of the Commission's comprehensive approach to mental health, we launched the European Partnership on Brain Health, aiming to strengthen brain research and help translate scientific discoveries into better prevention, diagnosis and care.”
He also noted, however, that prevention alone was not enough, highlighting the reforms made to the EU's pharmaceutical legislation, “in order to better support innovative medicines, addressing unmet needs, including dementia related conditions, while also improving patient access.”
“Tackling the challenges around Alzheimer's and dementia needs us all to work together. Public authorities, researchers, health professionals, carers, civil society, and people with lived experience. This conference is an opportunity to build strong partnerships and take our joint work forward.”
Building momentum in dementia through partnership
Our conference in Dublin marked the final one during the tenure of our Executive Director, Jean Georges, who will be retiring at the end of 2026. After 30 years leading Alzheimer Europe from strength to strength, he gave the first Keynote speech at this year’s conference, taking delegates through his time with our organisation, looking back at the many highlights and milestones.
“Our conference theme, Building Momentum in Dementia Through Policy, Research and Partnership, is particularly meaningful to me”, he began, noting that his presentation would focus on the importance of partnership, during his time at Alzheimer Europe.
He shared a number of milestones, including the beginnings of the organization, in 1990, when three pioneers in the field of Alzheimer’s disease, Franz Baro (Belgium), Michael Coote (Ireland) and Henk ter Haar (Netherlands) held a meeting in Leuven (Belgium), and founded Alzheimer Europe. The growth and success of the organisation were made possible only through partnerships, and he stressed that it was only through the support of our national member associations, collaboration with European and national policymakers and researchers that we have been able to achieve so much. He drew particular attention to our longstanding partnership with INTERDEM, the European network of researchers working in psychosocial research on dementia. He also mentioned the importance of support from corporate sponsors, without whom our Annual Conference would not be possible.
“The principles underpinning Alzheimer Europe’s very existence have remained constant throughout the organisation’s 36-year history: cooperation across borders, mutual learning, and a shared commitment to ensuring that dementia receives the recognition and political attention it deserves”, he stated. “They have shaped our identity and guided our work, placing collaboration and partnership at the very heart of our organisation. None of the past three decades of accomplishments would have been possible without partnership. Partnership with our national member associations, national and European policymakers, researchers, industry sponsors and other supporters”.
Above all, he stressed the importance of involving people with lived experience. He thanked the members, chairs and vice-chairs, both past and present, of our European Working Group of People with Dementia (EWGPWD), which was founded in 2012, and European Dementia Carers Working Group (EDCWG), founded in 2022. “I believe that this human dimension, this collective voice and this commitment to shared decision-making are among the things that set Alzheimer Europe apart.”
Looking to the future, he said: “There is still much to do. We must ensure that progress in research translates into equitable access to diagnosis, treatment, care and support. We must continue to challenge stigma and discrimination, protect the rights of people living with dementia and make sure that no country or community is left behind.”
He thanked the Board and Chair, as well as past board members and chairs of Alzheimer Europe and its dedicated team. He also took a moment to wish his successor, Angela Bradshaw, all the best in the role of Executive Director – a role which she will take as from 1 January 2027. “Angela will be taking on this responsibility at an important moment in our history”, he said. “And I am confident that, with her leadership and the commitment of the Board, staff, members and partners, Alzheimer Europe will continue to grow, develop and build on the foundations we have established together.”
With the importance of partnership and collaboration as his primary message, he ended by reminding everyone, “we are stronger when we work together.”
Parallel sessions
Following the opening ceremony and keynote lecture, delegates had the chance to join one of ten parallel sessions, including one organised by our co-host, The Alzheimer Society of Ireland entitled “Strengthening Dementia Care in Ireland - The Evolution and Expansion of the Dementia Adviser Service” and one held by the INTERDEM Academy called “Publish or Perish? Navigating Dementia Research”. Other sessions included “Artificial Intelligence” (moderated by Cindy Birck, Research Lead), “Dementia & Society” (a series of Quick Oral Presentations, moderated by Trevor Salomon, Chairperson of the EDCWG), “Towards equitable prevention: tailored initiatives and population-level risk reduction” (organised by DEMPACT), “National Leadership, service transformation and dementia diagnosis in Ireland” (organised by HSE - Health Service Executive, Ireland), “Dementia Strategies” (moderated by Owen Miller, Policy Officer), “People with dementia” (moderated by Ana Diaz, Public Involvement Lead), “Assistive technologies” (moderated by Wijnand Ijsselstein, Eindhoven University of Technology, Netherlands), and “Dementia inclusive initiatives” (moderated by Lorène Gilly, Honorary Secretary, Alzheimer Europe Board).
Following a short break, a further ten parallel sessions were held, including one by The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, called “Navigating the Journey: Empowering Family Carers Through Education, Empathy and Holistic Support – Key impacts and a Roadmap for the Future”. Other sessions included “Brain health & prevention” (moderated by Lukas Duffner, Project Officer), a series of Quick Oral Presentations focusing on policy (moderated by Christophe Bintener, Info-Zenter Demenz, Luxembourg), “The future of brain health starts earlier: First experiences from PREDICTOM” (organised by the PREDICTOM project), “Connecting the dots in young-onset dementia: from brain research to family support” (organised by DEMPACT), “Irish Rail & Irish Dementia Working Group” (organised by Irish Rail), “Advocacy & campaigns” (moderated by Ieva Petkuté, director of Dementia Lithuania), “Young Carers” (moderated by Soraya Moradi-Bachiller, Public Involvement Officer), “Psychosocial interventions” (moderated by Marjolein de Vugt, Maastricht University Medical Center, Netherlands), and “Stigma and discriminations” (moderated by Faye Forsyth, Public Involvement Officer).
Welcome reception
To close day one of the conference, a Welcome Reception was held at the Convention Centre Dublin from 18.30 to 20.00. This was an opportunity for delegates to network but also to relax after a busy day, with welcome words coming from Andy Heffernan, CEO of The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, who wished everyone “Céad míle fáilte", a traditional Irish expression that translates to "a hundred thousand welcomes". This was also an opportunity for us to thank our Executive Director Jean Georges for 30 years of hard work and dedication to our cause.
Deputy Executive Director Angela Bradshaw invited to the stage our Chairperson, Maria do Rosário Zincke dos Reis, Chairperson of the Alzheimer Europe Foundation, Heike von Lützau-Hohlbein, Chair of the European Working Group of People with Dementia, Kevin Quaid, and Dianne Gove, Director for Public Involvement and Ethics, to share some memories of working with Jean and the gratitude of the Board, Foundation, working groups and staff of Alzheimer Europe.
Day two – 28 October
“Living with Dementia: A day in my mind, a day in my life”
The first Plenary of the conference was a joint session organised by the members of the European Working Group of People with Dementia (EWGPWD) and the European Dementia Carers Working Group (EDCWG), who took to the stage to share their lived experience with delegates. The session was moderated by Kevin Quaid, Chairperson of the EWGPWD (Ireland) and Trevor Salomon, Chairperson of the EDCWG (United Kingdom).
Kjell Ehn, a member of the EWGPWD from Sweden, was the first speaker. His talk, “My inner game with Alzheimer’s” focused on how he mentally handles the awareness of his continuously declining cognitive and physical functions, and how he has dealt with the challenges he has experienced along the way.
“The main challenge is that you know that there is only one way, and that is downward”, he said, “and you don´t yet know when, how, or at what speed.” He also stressed how hard it is to accept all the things that he suddenly, from one day to the next, has had to start preventing himself from doing, “just for the fear of not being capable”.
He concluded that, when someone is diagnosed with a cognitive disorder such as Alzheimer's disease, there is a need to provide support not only for the physical aspects of the condition but also for handling its mental and emotional challenges. “This support is essential if people, like me, are to continue living life fully and enjoying it for as long as possible.”
Up next, Christina Zioga, member of the EDCWG from Greece, spoke about “The caregiver phenotype: Clinical observations on multitasking, genetic paranoia, and the therapeutic efficacy of peer support”. Her talk explored the lived reality of caring for a person with dementia while balancing multiple roles—as a mother, wife, physician and daughter, highlighting the often invisible emotional, practical and financial burden carried by families, particularly when formal health and social support systems fall short.
She gave voice to the private fears that many carers rarely express, asking questions such as: “Could I be in my mother’s place in a few years?” and "Will I lose my ability to learn?" She pointed out that “Living alongside Alzheimer's inevitably raises questions about genetics, risk and our own future, while reminding us that dementia affects far more than memory.”
Finally, her talk reflected on where carers find the strength to continue. She said that the European Dementia Carers Working Group had become a source of solidarity, friendship and shared understanding for her and others. She finished with a message of warmth, humanity and hope: “Across borders and cultures, carers discover that they are not alone—and that sometimes, a hug, a laugh and genuine human connection can carry an extraordinary load.”
The next speaker, Hatice Sertaç Süslü, member of the EDCWG from Türkiye, presented “From flight mode to fight mode: How community support transformed me into an empowered family care”. She began by noting that longer lives are worth celebrating — but that they require support:
“My mother’s 80th birthday made me reflect on how many small victories, medical interventions and acts of care can make a longer life possible. Longevity is rarely one miracle; it is hundreds of small victories shared by people living with dementia, families and healthcare professionals.”
She also pointed out that dementia transforms whole families, not just individuals. “Dementia does not happen only to the person diagnosed. It changes relationships, roles and everyday life for everyone around them. Yet meaningful connection can survive even when memory changes.”
Her closing message was again one of humanity and of strength in connections with others: “You do not have to fight alone. My own journey taught me that being a good daughter did not mean doing everything myself. Support from the Alzheimer’s Association, peer carers, healthcare professionals, my family and an international community taught me to ask for help. My message to other families is simple: connect with your community before you think you need it.”
Stuart Dougall, member of the EWGPWD from the United Kingdom (Scotland) shared that the best advice he was given regarding living well with dementia was quite simple: “Have a focus, have a routine, keep motivating yourself, keep trying things you find difficult, and above all, live your life.”
“My life has changed”, he continued, “but it is far from over. I’m determined to keep doing the things I enjoy for as long as I can.”
He also said that technology had become an important part of helping him to stay independent, and that “sometimes the simplest solutions can make the biggest difference.”
He decided early on that he would make the very best of his situation for as long as possible, and his powerful message for others diagnosed with dementia was “Dementia may change your life, but it doesn’t have to define it.”
Trevor Salomon and Kevin Quaid thanked all of the speakers for their excellent presentations and the session closed with a heartfelt and rapturous round of applause from the audience.
Kevin also presented a trophy to former Chairperson of the EWGPWD, Chris Roberts, who is attending the conference in Dublin together with his wife and supporter Jayne Goodrick, in thanks for his years with the group and the important role he played in the group and in our work.
Building momentum in dementia through policy
The second Keynote lecture of the conference was delivered by Eamon O’Shea, Emeritus Professor of Economics in the School of Business and Economics at the University of Galway.
Prof. O’Shea has published over 200 scientific papers in refereed journals, including publications in top-ranked journals such as the Journal of Health Economics, Social Science and Medicine, British Medical Journal and the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. He has also authored and co-authored 20 books and monographs, mainly in the fields of ageing, dementia and social policy.
His work has been influential in setting the agenda for the reform of services and policies for older people in Ireland, especially in relation to home care and residential long-stay care. He was Chair of the National Economic and Social Forum Expert Group on Care of the Elderly in 2005/06 and co-authored the influential Creating Excellence in Dementia Care report in 2012 – the forerunner for the Irish National Dementia Strategy. He is also a member of the Commission on Care for Older People established by the Government of Ireland in 2024 to look at care and supports for older people across the continuum of care and with making recommendations for their strategic development.
His lecture, entitled “Public policy for dementia in Ireland: past, present and future”, emphasised that care for people with dementia has seen significant improvement in Ireland in the past twenty years.
“There is now a much stronger focus on personhood and psychosocial functioning across all aspects of care”, he said, noting that the new Model of Care for dementia has a strong emphasis on the availability of services to allow for earlier assessment and diagnosis.
He also stressed, however, that policy implementation continues to be a problem, “mainly because of inadequate funding to support a genuine person-centred, autonomy-oriented approach to care of people with dementia” and pointed out that “there is still no statutory scheme for home care provision in Ireland. Family carers continue to be the main source of support for people with dementia.”
In closing, Prof. O’Shea drew attention to some of the differences in services and supports for people with dementia across the country: “There is wide variation in waiting times for diagnostic assessment of dementia. Workforce shortages and dementia training are also impacting on dementia care in Ireland,” he said.
Dementia in national and European disability, social and brain health programmes
The second plenary session of the conference took the form of a roundtable discussion, moderated by Angela Bradshaw, Deputy Executive Director of Alzheimer Europe. The session was titled “What place for dementia in national and European disability, social and brain health programmes?”, a question which was debated by four expert speakers, Iracema Leroi (Global Brain Health Institute, Ireland), Soohyun Kim (OECD Health Division), Anthony Scerri (University of Malta) and Louise Hopper (Dublin City University, Ireland).
Iracema Leroi, Professor in Geriatric Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin and the Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI) said:
“Dementia must have a clear place within national and European brain health programmes, while retaining its own distinct policy identity. Brain health is not simply the absence of disease; it is the optimisation of cognitive, emotional, motor and social functioning across the life course, including for people living with neurodegenerative disease and dementia. This creates an important dual role: promoting prevention and risk reduction at population level, while also supporting function, participation and quality of life after diagnosis.
“Effective brain health strategies require alignment between European and national policy leadership and locally informed implementation, with meaningful engagement of professionals, communities and people with lived experience. European organisations can provide strategic direction, shared frameworks and political momentum, while national systems must translate these into context-specific priorities and action.
“The brain health narrative brings prevention, possibility and optimism; the dementia agenda brings urgency, rights, care and lived experience. They should remain distinct but complementary, strengthening rather than eclipsing one another.”
Soohyun Kim, Health Policy Analyst at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) highlighted that, across OECD countries, an estimated 61 in every 1,000 adults aged 65 and over were living with dementia in 2023.
“Our review of 29 OECD countries finds a strengthened focus on brain health, prevention, earlier diagnosis, non-pharmacological interventions, and support for family carers over the past decade, while closely monitoring evidence on emerging disease-modifying treatments. Although progress in psychosocial approaches is encouraging, their implementation in routine practice often falls short of the evidence. Limited workforce training, uneven reimbursement arrangements, and fragmented support systems can prevent effective interventions from reaching people living with dementia and their families. As countries prepare for rising demand and new treatment options, the next frontier is turning evidence and policy commitments into real-world outcomes. This will require sustained investment in workforce skills, co-ordinated service delivery, and improved support for carers, ensuring that innovation leads to meaningful improvements in people’s daily lives.”
Anthony Scerri is a doctor of gerontology at the University of Malta and Vice-Chair of the Malta Dementia Society. He contributed to the discussions, stating:
“More dementia research does not necessarily mean that all the evidence we need is being generated. Our analysis of more than 200,000 publications found major growth in dementia research, but research remains concentrated on disease mechanisms and diagnosis, with comparatively less attention to care and support.
“Health and social care policies on dementia need evidence about living with dementia, not only about the disease. Research must address independence, participation, post-diagnostic support, caregiver needs, workforce capacity, access, inequalities and how effective interventions can be implemented in everyday services.”
He also stressed that people living with dementia and their families should help shape the research agenda, noting that “aligning research with lived experience can help ensure that future social and disability policies respond to what people actually need to live well with dementia.”
Louise Hopper, Associate Professor of Psychology and Programme Chairperson of the BSc in Psychology and Mathematics at Dublin City University, commented that “dementia should be recognised as both a health condition and a social issue. National and European strategies must promote rights, participation, inclusion and quality of life, not simply diagnosis and treatment.
“Effective national strategies require a robust National Dementia Registry as a foundational human right because we cannot design equitable health or disability programs when we remain blind to the true scale, diverse needs, and real-world costs of dementia across our communities.
“European social health funding heavily defaults to early-stage Alzheimer’s. True disability inclusion means expanding national policies to support individuals and families navigating the complex, moderate-to-advanced stages of young-onset and rarer dementias.”
Parallel sessions and special symposia
Prior to the first plenary in the morning, delegates were able to choose from a possible ten parallel sessions including one organised by our co-hosts The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, titled “Creating a Dementia-Inclusive Society Through Collaborations and Partnerships” and one by INTERDEM, on “Young Onset Dementia”. Conference Silver sponsors Bristol Myers Squibb held a session called “Universal Patient Language (UPL): Clearer, More Compassionate Patient Communication”, whilst another, “Mapping Modifiable and Non-Modifiable Risk: A Dementia Research Network Ireland Showcase” was organised by the Dementia Research Network Ireland (DRNI). Other sessions included “Detection and diagnosis” (moderated by Margarita Reyes, Project Officer), a series of Quick Oral Presentations on the topic of research (moderated by Wiesje van der Flier, Board member of Alzheimer Europe), “Preparing for new AD treatments” (moderated by Mario Possenti, Vice-Chair of Alzheimer Europe), “Care work force” (moderated by Charles Scerri from the Malta Dementia Society), “Hospital care” (moderated by Anthony Scerri from the Malta Dementia Society), and “Ethical and legal issues” (moderated by Maria do Rosário Zincke dos Reis, Alzheimer Europe Chairperson).
In the middle part of the day, several symposia took place, including one called “From biomarkers to lived experience: Acting earlier in Alzheimer's disease”, organised by conference Gold sponsors Eli Lilly & Company and moderated by Angela Bradshaw, Deputy Executive Director of Alzheimer Europe. Concurrent special symposia included one organised by DEMPACT and one by Fondation Médéric Alzheimer, as well as one from our co-hosts The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, with European and national policymakers.
The afternoon saw a further ten parallel sessions, including one from The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, called “Partnership in Practice: Embedding Lived Experience in Dementia Research in Ireland” and one organised by INTERDEM, about “Psychosocial Aspects of Dementia Prevention”.
Other parallel sessions were: “Treatment and medical management” (moderated by Angela Bradshaw), a series of Quick Oral Presentations, focusing on the theme of people (moderated by Roslynn Vella, Vice-Chair of the EDCWG), a session called “Co-creation to generate impact: lessons learned across the SPREAD+ and QoLEAD consortia” organised by DEMPACT, one on “Early diagnosis, post-diagnostic supports and dementia-inclusive communities” held by Ireland’s Health Service Executive (HSE), “Dementia care in rural areas” (moderated by James Pearson from Alzheimer Scotland), a session focusing on the LGBTQ+ community (moderated by Paddy Crosbie, EDCWG member), another about day care (moderated by Rabih Chattat from INTERDEM), and a final one looking at topics around gender and dementia (moderated by Edyta Ekwińska, President of Alzheimer Poland).
Throughout the day, delegates were able to view poster presentations, exhibited in the Foyer, and to speak to poster presenters about their research.
Later on, at the end of the second day of #36AEC, three further symposia were organised, one organised by JADE - the Joint Action on Dementia, one session sponsored by EMEIS, and another called “Dementia Researchers of the Future"
“Dementia researchers of the future” symposium at 36AEC highlights work of nine early-stage researchers
The session “Dementia Researchers of the future” has been a staple of our conference for several years and is sponsored by The Alzheimer Europe Foundation and the INTERDEM Academy. This year’s edition was chaired by Heike von Lützau-Hohlbein (Alzheimer Europe Foundation Chairperson) and Fania Dassen (INTERDEM Academy).
This session afforded a great opportunity for nine early-stage researchers, selected by our jury, to benefit from bursaries to attend and present at the conference. The selection of the bursaries was based on the best average scores each received from the jury members. The selected researchers were:
• Tarsitsa Ntova (Greece), “Detecting dementia in the Deaf community in Greece: Adaptation of the British Sign Language-Cognitive Screening Test in Greek Sign Language-Preliminary results”
• Thanos Chatzikostopoulos (Greece), “Neuropsychiatric symptom clusters across the cognitive impairment spectrum: a data-driven analysis integrating AD biomarkers and clinical profiling”
• Ioannis Stamelos (Greece), “Early-Onset Patients Wait Twice as Long to Reach a Specialist Telemedicine Service: Evidence from Remote Islands in the Aegean Archipelago”
• Anja Mrhar (Slovenia) “Dietary correlates of increased Alzheimer’s disease blood-based biomarkers”
• Özlem Çiçek Doğan (Türkiye) “Person-Centered Disaster Preparedness Program for Family Caregivers of People Living with Dementia: A Mixed-Methods Study in Türkiye”
• Evangelia Smaragdaki (Greece), “Apraxia as a driver of functional disability in neurodegeneration: from phenotyping to rehabilitation”
• Efthalia Angelopoulou (Greece), “Beyond memory: caregiver distress from Mild Behavioral Impairment as an early clinical signal in prodromal Alzheimer’s disease”
• Electra Chatzidimitriou (Greece) “Personality Correlates of Functional Status in Early-Stage Behavioral Variant Frontotemporal Dementia (bvFTD)”
• Anastasia Tsouvala (Greece), “Trajectories of Self-Awareness Across the Alzheimer’s Disease Spectrum: A Systematic Review of Its Potential as an Early Diagnostic Marker”.
Congratulations to all of them!
Important updates from conference co-hosts The Alzheimer Society of Ireland
Irish Dementia Working Group launches updated Charter of Rights for People with Dementia
At the 36th Alzheimer Europe Conference in Dublin, The Alzheimer Society of Ireland (ASI)’s Irish Dementia Working Group launched the updated Charter of Rights for People with Dementia.
Created by and for people living with dementia, the Charter calls for a rights-based approach that supports people to live well, be heard and remain active members of their communities.
Produced through extensive consultation with people living with dementia across Ireland, the updated Charter places their voices, experiences and priorities at its heart, reaffirming that a dementia diagnosis should never diminish a person's rights, humanity, personhood or ability to participate in decisions affecting their own lives.
Read the Charter: https://alzheimer.ie/creating-change/policy-on-dementia-in-ireland/human-rights-and-dementia/
Europe can do more to support people living with dementia
European and Irish political leaders joined advocates and experts for a special panel at the 36th Alzheimer Europe Conference in Dublin. Meeting at the Convention Centre Dublin on 28 October 2026, they asked how dementia could be pushed higher up Europe’s political agenda.
The panel backed the case for a European Dementia Action Plan spanning health, research, social policy and human rights. Drawing on Alzheimer Europe’s Helsinki Manifesto and the Neurological Alliance of Ireland Joint Declaration on Advancing Neurological Health, speakers set out practical steps for action at EU and national level.
Journalist and author Ken Murray moderated the session, which opened with Michael McGrath, European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection. Thanking civil society for championing lived experience, Commissioner McGrath said: “Our ambition must be to build a Europe where people with dementia can live with dignity, retain their independence for as long as possible and access the support that they and their families need.”
- Nina Carberry MEP of Fine Gael and the European People’s Party, Co-Chair of the European Alzheimer’s Alliance, shared her personal experience and called for a stronger EU-wide strategy on neurodegenerative diseases.
- Ciaran Mullooly MEP of Independent Ireland and Renew Europe, also an Alliance member, highlighted rural isolation and the steps communities needed to take to keep people connected.
- Senator Fiona O’Loughlin of Fianna Fáil spoke as her party’s Seanad leader and Chair of the All-Party Oireachtas Group on Dementia.
- Sinn Féin TD Ruairí Ó Murchú brought experience from Oireachtas committees covering EU affairs, disability, children and equality.
- Emer Costello, Rehab Group’s Head of Advocacy and Campaigns, brought a campaigning perspective as a former
- Labour Party MEP for Dublin and former Lord Mayor of Dublin.
- Mags Rogers, Chief Executive of the Neurological Alliance of Ireland, brought the collective voice of organisations supporting people affected by neurological conditions.
Day three – 29 October
Advances in diagnosis, treatment and care
The third plenary of the conference looked at advances in diagnosis, treatment and care and was moderated by Mario Possenti (Vice-Chairperson of Alzheimer Europe, Italy).
The first speaker invited up to the lectern was Professor Seán Kennelly, a Consultant Geriatrician and Director of the Institute of Memory and Cognition at Tallaght University Hospital, and Clinical Associate Professor of Medical Gerontology at Trinity College Dublin. He presented “The Evolution of Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnosis: From Clinical Uncertainty to Biological Precision and Personalised Care”. Prof. Kennelly stated:
“We are entering a new era in Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Advances in brain imaging and fluid biomarkers, particularly new blood tests, are making it possible to identify the biological changes of Alzheimer’s disease with greater accuracy and potentially at an earlier stage.
“Better tests are one part of better diagnosis. Biomarkers can provide important new information, but they need to be combined with careful clinical assessment and an understanding of each individual’s symptoms, health, circumstances and priorities. Diagnosis should remain a personalised process, involving the person and those close to them.
“Scientific progress must translate into better and more equitable care. The challenge now is to ensure that advances in diagnosis and treatment are accessible across Europe and lead to real benefits for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and their families.”
Professor Wiesje van der Flier is Chief Executive Officer of Alzheimer Nederland and also holds an endowed chair at the department of Epidemiology & Data Science of Amsterdam UMC. She took the floor next, with a talk called “Advances in treatment from the perspective of clinicians, patient advocates and patients”.
She highlighted that progress is urgently needed, as patient numbers keep increasing. “As of 2025, an estimated number of 12 million people in Europe are living with dementia. A number that is rapidly increasing, given the ‘greying’ population”. However, she also said that “this is a hopeful time, given novel developments in diagnosis related to digital cognitive assessments and blood-based biomarkers, innovative therapies, in particular anti-amyloid therapies, and innovative care concepts, focusing on how patients with dementia can continue to lead their lives in a meaningful way.”
Regarding a broad prevention strategy, she noted that this should entail boosting brain health to prevent the onset of pathology, diagnosing in a timely and accurate manner, leading to personalised medicine to prevent onset of dementia, and “orchestrating care and wellbeing in such a way that helps to prevent severe dementia stages.”
The third and final speaker at this plenary session was Emma Wolverson, a Clinical Psychologist and Professor of Ageing and Dementia at the Geller Institute of Ageing and Memory, University of West London (United Kingdom). During her presentation, “Critical moments in dementia care: advancing research and practice”, she said:
“Dementia care is shaped by a series of critical moments, points at which needs change, important decisions must be made, and timely support can significantly influence outcomes. While diagnosis often receives most attention, many other critical moments remain under-researched and poorly understood.”
Drawing on the work of INTERDEM members, her presentation explored three such moments: mental health crisis, end-of-life care, and support for family carers. She also highlighted recent advances in research and practice, including efforts to better predict and prevent mental health crises, improve palliative and end-of-life care, and support carers through challenging transitions and decisions. She argued that “improving dementia care requires greater attention to these pivotal moments and a stronger focus on prevention, collaboration, and timely intervention.”
Parallel sessions and special symposia
Prior to the first plenary in the morning, delegates were able to choose from a possible ten parallel sessions including one organised by our co-hosts The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, called “From Vision to Practice: How the ASI Is Sustaining Person-Centred Dementia Care Across the Dementia Journey, From Activity Clubs to Home Care” whilst another, “From early diagnosis to impact: What makes dementia strategies work?” was held by the Kuratorium Deutsche Altershilfe, one focusing on “Advancing brain health, research and innovation in Ireland” was organised by Ireland’s Health Service Executive (HSE) and still another, “NEXTGEN - Dementia Justice Immersive Workshop”, was organised by Lorenzo’s House. Other sessions included “Translating research into practice” (moderated by Thanos Chatzikopoulos, Alzheimer Europe Board member, Greece), “Care approaches and services (a series of Quick Oral Presentations, moderated by René Thyrian, Alzheimer Europe Board member, Germany), “National Alzheimer’s associations” (moderated by Petra Tegman, Sweden), “Disabilities & dementia” (moderated by Sarah Campill, Public Involvement Officer, Alzheimer Europe), “Residential care” (moderated by Friederike de Maeyer, Alzheimer Europe Board member, Austria) and “Sexuality & intimacy” (moderated by Dianne Gove, Director for Public Involvement and Ethics, Alzheimer Europe).
Prior to lunch, several symposia took place, including one called “Patient-focused drug development”, organised by conference Gold sponsors Roche and moderated by Sasha Bozeat (Switzerland). Concurrent special symposia included one organised by Fundació Pasqual Maragall and one by Fondation Médéric Alzheimer.
The afternoon saw a further ten parallel sessions, including one from The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, looking at “Amplifying Lived Experience: The Voices of People with Dementia and Carers in Ireland”, one organised by INTERDEM, about “Innovative Methodologies in Dementia (METHODEM)”, one by the AI4Hope project, called “Digital tools for symptom monitoring, management and planning in dementia care” (moderated by Věra Ryšavá, member of the European Working Group of People with Dementia, Czechia), and one by the Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI) called “From Dublin to the World (GBHI)”. Other parallel sessions were: “Other types of dementia” (moderated by Rejko Krüger, Luxembourg), “Brain health and prevention (moderated by Angela Bradshaw, Deputy Executive Director, Alzheimer Europe), “Cost of dementia care & treatment” (moderated by Kevin Rabiant, France), “Minority ethnic groups” (moderated by Rune T. Nielsen, Denmark), “Home care” (moderated by Heike von Lützau-Hohlbein, Germany), and “End-of-life approaches” (moderated by Katariina Suomu, Alzheimer Europe Board member, Finland).
Throughout the day, delegates were able to view poster presentations, exhibited in the Foyer, and to speak to poster presenters about their research.
Building momentum in dementia through research
The third and final Keynote Lecture of the conference was delivered by Lorina Naci, Professor of Psychology and leader of the “Consciousness and Cognition” group at the School of Psychology, at Trinity College Dublin (www.lorinanaci.org). During her lecture, Prof. Naci stated:
“The window for dementia prevention opens decades before symptoms appear. Research from the PREVENT Dementia programme demonstrates that subtle changes in brain network organisation associated with genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease can be detected in cognitively healthy middle-aged adults, potentially opening new opportunities for earlier identification and intervention.
“Genetic risk is not destiny: lifestyle matters. Our findings show that engaging in intellectually, socially and physically stimulating activities is strongly associated with better memory and cognitive performance in midlife, including among people with inherited risk of dementia. Building cognitive reserve is a powerful, accessible component of dementia prevention.
“Dementia prevention must become earlier, more personalised and multidimensional. Understanding how genetic vulnerability, biological sex, lifestyle and brain health interact will help us develop more targeted prevention strategies that strengthen cognitive resilience across the lifespan.”
Slán le Baile Átha Cliath (Goodbye to Dublin) … and Здраво Београду! (Hello to Belgrade)
At the Closing Ceremony, Andy Heffernan, CEO of The Alzheimer Society of Ireland (ASI) thanked everyone for their participation and for travelling to Ireland for the conference, noting the fantastic amount of work put in by Alzheimer Europe staff and his team at The ASI as co-hosts, and the great result.
Maria do Rosário Zincke dos Reis, Chairperson, Alzheimer Europe thanked delegates, speakers, our co-host The ASI, and conference sponsors alike and wished everyone a safe return journey.
Following the official close of the Dublin event, a video was shown as a welcome from the Serbian Alzheimer's Disease Association (SUAB) to everyone present, to join us for the 37th Alzheimer Europe Conference, taking place in Belgrade, Serbia from 12 to 14 October 2027.
Attendees at the closing ceremony were treated to an uplifting and deeply moving performance by Dublin’s Forgetmenots Choir, a dementia and age-friendly community choir.
Alzheimer Europe would like to thank to all delegates who joined us at #36AEC, and we hope to see you next year for #37AEC in Belgrade!
