Symposium 2024 Watch Now
Saturday, July 27th, 2024, PCOM
Prior to the kickoff of the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) 2024, AlzPI and The Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) had the honor to host a day-long conference focused on the research spanning the last three decades on microbes and Alzheimer's disease (AD) . Over 20 expert speakers explored the potential impact of microbial infection and dysbiosis on the brain and beyond. A Panel discussion covered the challenges and opportunities in microbiome identification and characterization. A section on technological innovation in diagnostics and drug development underscored the impact of advancing research and clinical interventions for AD.
Microbes & Alzheimer’s: Bridging Silos to Accelerate Innovation
Session 1
Session 2
Session 3
Session 4
Agenda
8:00am – 9:00am Breakfast
9:00 – 9:15am Dr. Brian Balin, Nikki Schultek, IDSA
Opening remarks
9:15 – 9:35am Nikki Schultek, AlzPI
“Unraveling the role of infections in Alzheimer’s through patient-led, global interdisciplinary collaboration ”
9:35 – 10:00am Dr. Brian Balin, PCOM & AlzPI
” Evaluating infection in Alzheimer’s Disease pathogenesis”
10:00 – 10:25am Dr. Garth Ehrlich and Dr. Michiko Thwe, Drexel
“Application of a species-specific, trans-pan-domain molecular diagnostic to Alzheimer disease (AD) brains reveals AD pathobiomes that are distinct from age-matched controls.”
10:25 – 10:45am Dr. David Corry and Lynn Bimler, Baylor
“A ubiquitous Candida albicans-based polymicrobial human brain infection causes Alzheimer’s Disease-like changes in mice”
10:45 – 11:00am Questions & BREAK
11:00 – 11:20am Dr. Ruth Itzhaki, Oxford
“Repetitive concussive injury, like cumulative infections, causes Alzheimer’s disease-like phenotypes via reactivation of HSV-1 in a 3D human brain tissue model”
11:20 – 11:40am Dr. Elizabeth Bradshaw and Dr. Zena Chatila, Columbia
“Pathogens, Microglia and Alzheimer’s Disease”
11:40 – 12:00pm Dr. Edward Breitschwerdt and Dr. Janice Bush, NC State
“Bartonella henselae, Neurobartonellosis and Alzheimer’ Disease: Is there a link?”
12:00 – 12:20pm Dr. Or Shemesh and Vanesa Hyde, B.A., Univ. of Pittsburgh
“Alzheimer’s Disease pathologies are pathogen-driven and cell protective”
12:20 – 1:15pm Lunch
1:15 – 1:45pm *Keynote* Dr. Wenyuan Shi, Forsyth Institute
“Exploring the connection between oral microbiome and Alzheimer’s disease ”
1:45 – 2:05pm Dr. Kevin Zwezdaryk and Sara Morris, Tulane
“Intermittent CMV infection promotes mitochondrial dysfunction contributing to Alzheimer’s Disease progression”
2:05 – 2:25pm Dr. William Eimer, MGH and Harvard
“Amyloid Beta and Tau: Exploring the antimicrobial connection between pathogens and Alzheimer’s disease”
2:25pm – 2:45pm Dr. Laura Cox, Harvard
“The role of Bacteroides in Alzheimer’s disease. ”
2:45 – 3:05pm Dr. Monica Embers, Tulane
“Borrelia Infection in the Genesis of Dementia”
3:05 – 3:20pm Questions & BREAK
3:20 – 3:40pm Dr. Lavinia Alberi, VitalizeDx and AlzPI
“Oral-host pathogen interactions, from early non-invasive diagnostics to timely therapeutics for Alzheimer’s Disease”
3:40 – 4:00pm Dr. Michael Detke, Lighthouse Therapeutics
“Phase 1 SAD/MAD data and Phase 2 study design for LHP588, a second-generation gingipain inhibitor for the treatment of P. gingivalis-positive Alzheimer’s dementia”
4:00 – 4:30pm *Keynote* Col. Nicole Malachowski (ret.), USAF
“Breaking Barriers”
4:30 – 5:00pm Pioneer’s Panel Discussion:
Dr. Brian Balin, Dr. Ruth Itzhaki, Dr. David Hahn & Dr. George Perry
5:00 – 7:00pm Cocktail Hour & Networking in the Lobby
