The first Fusion Conference on ‘Targeting Therapy of Alzheimer’s and Related Neurodegenerative Diseases’ was held in Nassau, Bahamas from 1^st to 4^th June, 2018.  The conferenced attracted scientists from countries around the world such as; the USA, Canada, UK, Belgium, and Japan.  

In the inaugural keynote lecture, Dr. David Holtzman from Washington University first presented a historical overview of apolipoprotein ApoE, the most well studied risk gene in association with the late onset of Alzheimer’s disease, and then discussed most recent discoveries on the role of ApoE in the control of tau aggregation. Dr. Li-Huei Tsai from Massachusetts Institute of Technology presented another plenary lecture on the topic of how microglia are activated in response to the challenge of neurodegeneration at the resolution of single cell levels and how LED lights, flicking at certain wavelength, activate microglia to engulf amyloid plaques. Both lectures received considerable attentions in the audience and discussions. 

Almost all speakers in the conference presented outstanding lectures and discussed large portions of results that are not yet published. The programme had many standout talks across the four days. Dr. Yadong Huang from Gladstone Institute at UCSF investigated the effect of ApoE isoforms in IPSCs-derived neurons on synaptic dysfunctions and reported how to block ApoE4 toxicity through a chemical perturbation based on the difference of 3D structure of ApoE4 vs ApoE3. Dr. Mathew Blurton-Jones compared functional genomic datasets between iPSC-derived microglia from human and AD mouse models and identified unique signatures at different disease stages. Dr. Riqiang Yan from University of Connecticut health presented a not yet published finding that the C-terminal of CX3CL1 controls neurogenesis in the adult and increased expression of this fragment will reverse neuronal loss in a tau mouse model.  Dr. Richard Mayeux from Columbia University discussed mutations of certain genes that are preferentially associated with certain racial groups. Ultra-rare mutations in SCRAP and FBXL7 are found to occur more frequently in the Caribbean Hispanic population while AKAP9 is a risk factor for the Africa American population. This study is important as it reveals race-dependent risky genes that are not easily seen in conventional genetic studies using whole genome populations. Dr. Philip L De Jager, another investigator from the Columbia University, presented large network dataset constructed from over four hundred individuals’ RNA seq results and identified gene modules unique to AD and related neuropathologies. One example is that upregulation of module 5 genes is associated with increased tau protein aggregation and accumulation, which correlates with declines in cognitive function. His data analyses also captured genes from activated microglia that are clustered in AD but less obvious in multiple sclerosis. Dr. Charles Glabe from UC Irvine discussed a captivating observation that amyloid plaques in one AD mouse model, 5xFAD model, evolve from intra neurons rather than the conventional thought of extra neuronal seeding theory. Chemical ablation of microglia will prevent formation of amyloid deposition. Dr. Sally Ishizaka, Director of the Immuno-Dementia Division at Eisai presented the strategy for human genetic-guided drug discovery for AD patients.  

Two junior fellows, Drs. Cara Croft from University of Florida and Rita Cacace from University of Antwerp, also gave outstanding presentations.  Cara reported the first in vitro 3D model for monitoring the progression of tau aggregation and fibrillary tangles while Rita discussed how chrosome 7q36 is associated with late onset of AD and revealed DPP6 is a candidate genes for AD, frontal temporal dementia based on their human and mouse genetic studies. Both talks won lengthy discussions from audience and their answers to these questions were satisfying and enlightening.   

One of the most memorable components of the meeting was the active discussion after each presentation and during the refreshment breaks. There were many pressing questions and lengthy debates. One vehement argument, was even resolved through WWE-style fake fighting!  

Many of the conference attendees not only contributed outstanding lectures but also recognized the need for a continuing conference in such a format.  It was agreed by many that this conference has created a collegial format where attendees can have close interactions with each other and discuss the most important and updated scientific questions in the Alzheimer’s field. Holding this conference every two years is necessary as finding a cure for AD patients is so urgent and more efforts and funding resources are needed in order to enable this. 

We would like to acknowledge the Conference sponsors and media partners; Eisai Ltd, Fusion Conferences, Alzheimer Disease & Associated Disorders and the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. Without their support it would have been impossible to have held such a wonderful conference.

Conference Chairs Dr. Riqiang Yan and Dr. Peter St George-Hyslop, along with Plenary speaker Dr. Li-Huei Tsai, are currently deciding on a location and date for the second meeting. Once confirmed, all details will be released on this webpage and via Fusion Conferences’ social media.
A forthcoming meeting that may be of interest is the 2^nd Neurogenesis Conference, being held from March 5^th-8^th 2019 in Nassau, Bahamas. Oral and poster submissions are currently being accepted. 

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common age-dependent neurodegenerative disease, which affects over 5 million people in the US and over 35 million people worldwide. Currently, only four drugs are approved for alleviating symptoms in AD patients, and no new therapy has been approved for AD since 2003. Other related neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease (PD), Huntington’s disease (HD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are also age-dependent and lack effective therapies. Hence, finding cures for AD and other related neurodegenerative diseases is urgent and various approaches should be actively pursued. This planned conference intends to bring leading scientists and clinicians from all over the world to present their unpublished observations or findings to attendees and to share their vision or prospects on translational research. We expect that some presenters, either by talks or posters, will discuss our current state of knowledge in disease mechanisms, novel targets or approaches for identifying new therapeutic targets, and biomarkers for diagnosis or treatment readouts. We will also invite speakers who are conducting later stages of drug discoveries, including presentations of clinical trial results. The talks and poster presentations will include the most updated therapeutic strategies, newly discovered therapeutic targets, and recent clinical developments at various stages in the area of Alzheimer’s and related neurodegenerative diseases.  

Key topics of discussion will include:
1) BACE1 inhibitors and/or γ-secretase modulators for reducing amyloid deposition 
2) active and passive vaccination for enhancing clearance of amyloid plaques
3) Vaccines for reducing tau pathology
4) Antisense approaches for AD, PD and ALS therapy
5) Neural stem cell approaches for neurodegeneration
6) Inflammatory modulators for neurodegeneration.

The significance of having this conference is to provide a unique forum for the research community focusing on translational studies geared towards therapies in AD and related neurodegenerative diseases to come together and to discuss the latest advances and the future challenges in the field.  It will also facilitate interactions between junior scientists and leading investigators in a relatively small conference setting. 

Student Offer

Take advantage of this fantastic opportunity for students! Register an academic at the earlybird rate of $1,823 and bring a student for only $850. Unfortunately, Postdocs are not eligible. Both registration packages include; accommodation for the 01, 02, 03 June 2018 (on a shared basis for students) and a 24hour all-inclusive food and beverage package for the conference period. Once registered, please contact Jack Peters (jack@fusion-conferences.com) to obtain a special registration link for your student.

Plenary Speakers

David Holtzman (Washington University)
Li-Huei Tsai (MIT) 

Invited Speakers

Elizabeth M. Bradshaw (Center for translational & Computational Neuroimmunology Columbia University Medical Center)
Matt Blurton-Jones (University of California, Irvine)
Guy Brown (University of Cambridge) 
Guojun Bu (Mayo Clinic)
Rita Cacace (University of Antwerp)
Damian Crowther (AstraZeneca)
Philip De Jager (Center for translational & Computational Neuroimmunology Columbia University Medical Center)
Charles Glabe (University of California, Irvine)
Yadong Huang (Gladstone Institute)
Sally Ishizaka (Eisai) 
Orly Lazarov (University of Illinois at Chicago)
Yueming Li (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)
Richard Mayeux (Taub Institute at Columbia University)
Jennifer Pocock (University College London)
Domenico Praticò (Temple University)
Nikolaos Robakis (Mount Sinai)
Gerard D. Schellenberg (University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine)
Sangram S. Sisodia (The University of Chicago)
Giulio Taglialatela (University of Texas Medical Branch)
Giuseppinna Tesco (Tufts University)
Taisuke Tomita (University of Tokyo)
Jeffery M. Vance (University of Miami)
Robert Vassar (Northwestern University)
Huaxi Xu (Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute)
Gang Yu (UT Southwestern)
Xiongwei Zhu (Case Western Reserve University)