Alzheimer Hellas, in cooperation with the Panhellenic Institute of Neurodegenerative Diseases, successfully organised the 12th Panhellenic Conference on Alzheimer's disease and Related Disorders and the 4th Mediterranean Conference on Neurodegenerative Diseases, which was conducted for the first time virtually from 18-21 February 2021, from Thessaloniki.
The combination of these two conferences hosted many renowned scientists in the field (over 340 speakers from Greece, USA, France, UK, Germany, Austria, Italy, Russia, Spain, Bulgaria, Turkey, Iran, Egypt, Sweden, Belgium, Switzerland etc.), who presented and shared results of the latest scientific research, pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical trials and the application of new technologies. The events also provided an opportunity for various healthcare professionals to present their contribution to patients and carers.
Over 3,200 clinicians (neurologists, psychiatrists, geriatricians, neuroscientists, molecular genetics, neuropathologists, neurobiologists, neuropsychologists, pharmacists, psychologists, social workers, physiotherapists) and representatives from biomedical and pharmaceutical companies, patients, families and their carers participated in the conference, giving positive reviews on its programme and organisation. The conference had also media coverage with a lot of site publications and TV/radio appearances.
Several themes related to dementia were developed, including: new technologies, newer data, legal and social issues, research programmes, day care centres, non-pharmaceutical interventions, etc. and there were four parallel 'rooms'; each room dedicated to a different theme: Mediterranean conference with all the presentations given in English, medical issues, psychology issues, and care issues.
The opening ceremony on 18th February was divided into three parts: Distinguished lectures were given by Prof. Constantine Lyketsos on “The Hellenic Initiative Against Alzheimer's Disease: Precision Medicine in Dementia Comes of Age”, by Giovanni Frisoni on “Memory clinics in the era of dementia prevention” and by Maria Carrillo on “Alzheimer's Association Update”.
The Deputy Minister of Health, Deputy Minister of Interior Affairs, the Regional Governor of Central Macedonia, the President of the Municipal Council of the Municipality of Thessaloniki, mayors of the region, the heads of university departments and medical associations, also addressed the conference.
Finally, the music oratorio, entitled "The eighth day" and the poem "The Before and After of the Days" were presented (music by the renowned Composer Christos Papadopoulos and poetry by Eleni Ioan. Antoniadou). The oratorio was performed by the outstanding artists Dimitris Basis, Yannis Zouganelis, Vasilis Skoulas, George Nikif. Zervakis and Io Nikolaou. The poem: "The Before and After of the days", was narrated by the famous actor Gregoris Valtinos.
In the poem, the emotional significance of the days and the holistic value of time is unfolded from the perspective of children and the elderly. The deeper significance of the oratorio involves the inability of people with dementia to function on the seven days of the week... so they create the eighth day... their day...
The famous singer Vasilis Skoulas, in his interview on the radio broadcast of ERT 3, "Edw kai twra", talked about the great work of the Greek Association of Alzheimer's Disease, both in Greece and abroad. He congratulated Dr Tsolaki, Professor of Neurology at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, on the work of the Association she leads, and the artists performing "The eight day".
The actor Giannis Zouganelis talked emotionally on the ERT3 TV show “Perimetros”, about the work of the Greek Association of Alzheimer's Disease and its President, Dr Tsolaki. Specifically, he said that he appreciates the organisation since its formation, because it aims to convey love and faith. He was grateful for the opportunity that he had to express himself through art on dementia, as well as on the feelings that emerge in the oratorio. He also emphasised the satisfaction and empathy felt by those who do voluntary work.
