A growing number of people are confronted with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Public awareness is rising, particularly in countries with high life expectancy, such as Israel and Germany. The hopes of patients and relatives lie on progress in medical research and the development of novel pharmaceuticals.

Even though the understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias has much improved in recent years, the underlying molecular principles are not yet fully understood. The mechanisms of protein misfolding and their accumulation – as cytological causes of the disease and its course – are of particular importance in this context. Moreover, further research is needed, for example in the fields of diagnostic biomarkers or the influence of genetic and environmental factors.

Against this background, renowned scientists from Israel and Germany meet to discuss the latest data on and the most recent developments in neurodegenerative diseases and dementias. The meeting will also address specific topics of pathology – differential diagnosis and biomarkers –, molecular biology and genetics as well as therapeutic strategies for dementias.

The event is organised by Leopoldina member Prof. Peter Riederer and Prof. Yadin Dudai, member of the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities.

The symposium is financially supported by the Fritz Thyssen Foundation and the German Neuroscience Society.