2015 AAAS Annual Meeting (12-16 February 2015)

February 12 - 16, 2015

Dementia: Research Milestones and Policy Priorities

Our global society is undergoing an unprecedented demographic shift with the aging population now comprising the fastest growing demographic. Against a backdrop of medical advances that have made it possible for people to live longer, more individuals than ever are living with dementia. This demographic shift has prompted a worldwide response led by the G7 nations; throughout 2014, a series of G7 events examined different aspects of dementia. This symposium will extend the dialogue from those events and is ideally timed to take stock of emerging areas of translational research in dementia following the worldwide conclusion of these G7 events in early February 2015. Particular emphasis will be placed on advancements in imaging research and the refinement of amyloid imaging scans. Rapid advancements in imaging technologies that generate large datasets underscore the importance of research collaborations, and the management of these large datasets as well as issues surrounding data sharing will be discussed. Moreover, this discussion will serve as a forum for clinical research leaders at the forefront of the field to highlight recent breakthroughs in the biomarker identification process and strides made to date aimed at the early detection of dementia. The panel will conclude by offering a forward-looking perspective and articulate actionable plans to accelerate the introduction of disruptive technologies into the care and treatment protocol for patients with dementia.