On 20 November 2023, two-and-a-half years after its launch, the five-year ABOARD project celebrated its midterm. Led by Wiesje van der Flier from Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, ABOARD is a public-private project which aims to prepare for a future in which Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is stopped before dementia has started. This is being done by: improving diagnosis, developing personal risk profiles, initiating nationwide data collection with a focus on patient-reported outcomes, and a focus on prevention strategies. In the morning, over 80 consortium members joined together. Each work package organised their own networking activity, with a focus on cross-sectoral exchange of ideas. Work package one (diagnosis) harbours different topics of digital biomarkers, genetics, and proteomics. Yet, all share the same challenge of big data, which is why the Technical University Delft is also on board. Work package two (prediction) focused on how we can use information from general practitioners to learn about AD.
The project attempts to link these (and other) data to the ABOARD-cohort, a national initiative to engage Dutch citizens in Alzheimer's research. ABOARD celebrated that the first 5,000 participants have signed up! Work package three (prevention) discussed the launch of Breinzorg.nl (braincare.nl). This online platform provides information to memory clinic patients regarding what they can do themselves to take care of their brain. Finally, Work package four (patient orchestrated care) shared learnings and results of the diverse studies gaining input from diverse project partners. After lunch, the doors were opened for the general audience. An audience of care professionals, patients, families, research participants, and students excellently complemented the rest of the consortium, and gave new meaning to “all ABOARD”.
Work package leads presented where they envision the field is going. Next, junior researchers presented their results in parallel sessions. These interactive sessions were chaired by (private) consortium members, which fostered a lively discussion with the audience. 20 November was a day of celebration. The ABOARD project is thankful for what has been achieved so far and looks forward to delivering more results in the next project period. It is also, cautiously, already looking beyond 2026, because it seems that ABOARD is here to stay. Alzheimer Europe Director Jean Georges is a member of the project’s Advisory Board. More information about ABOARD, including an animation-video, can be found on the website: http://www.aboard-project.nl
