Ncardia @ AD/PD 2024: The Latest In Alzheimer’s & Parkinson’s Research

In early March, Ncardia's scientific team had the privilege of attending the AD/PD Conference in Lisbon, Portugal. In addition to two poster presentations(see details), Ncardia’s scientific team took the opportunity to network with peers and delved into the latest advancements and emerging trends in the field. Here are some key highlights from the conference:

1. The Quest for Better In Vitro Models: With many preclinical studies relying heavily on mouse models, the need for robust in vitro models has become increasingly evident. The conference witnessed a huge interest in developing multi-cellular in vitro models that can more accurately mimic the complexities of neurodegenerative diseases. These models hold the potential to bridge the gap between pre-clinical research and clinical outcomes, enabling more efficient drug discovery.

2. Cell and Gene Therapies Take Center Stage: One of the focal points of discussion revolved around the promising prospects of cell and gene therapies. Notable presentations included preliminary data on cell therapy from Bayer and BlueRock, as well as insights into a one-time gene therapy initiative by Lilly/Prevail. These innovative approaches offer new avenues for potentially transformative treatments in neurodegenerative diseases.

3. Exploring ALS Treatment Innovations: Beyond Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, there was a notable spotlight on innovative approaches to treating Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Researchers and clinicians alike are actively exploring new therapeutic strategies aimed at addressing the underlying mechanisms of ALS and improving patient outcomes. This renewed focus underscores the urgency of advancing our understanding of ALS pathogenesis and translating it into tangible therapeutic interventions.

In addition to the highlighted themes, the conference also shed light on several other notable areas of interest in neurodegenerative research. 

Biomarkers, particularly blood-based ones, emerged as a key focus area due to their potential to enable early diagnosis and facilitate the monitoring of disease-modifying therapies. 

Furthermore, discussions surrounding neuroinflammation garnered significant attention, with a particular emphasis on understanding the pivotal role of microglia in disease propagation. 

Additionally, researchers delved into the intriguing connection between the gut microbiome, gut inflammation, systemic inflammation, and neurodegenerative diseases, unraveling the intricate links between these systems and their impact on neuronal health.

What did you see or hear about from AD/PD? How will this impact the discovery work you’re doing right now, and what you have planned for the future? Let’s talk about what you see on the road ahead, and how Ncardia can help you get there faster. 

Ncardia Posters at AD/PD 2024

Ncardia presented two posters at AD/PD, detailing the development of complex iPSC-derived models to advance research into treatments for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and ALS based on key disease-linked phenotypes: neuroinflammation and protein aggregation. 

You can download them here. 

• Neuroinflammation
  Evaluation of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived tri-culture as in vitro model for neuroinflammation

• ASOs
  Development of robust iPSC platforms for accurate predictions of efficacy and toxicity of new treatment modalities early in the development pipeline

  

And if any of this sparks ideas or questions about your own work, don't hesitate to contact us.