The AD/PD™ Podcast: Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases

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AD/PD™ is the leading international platform dedicated to exploring the latest breakthroughs and treatments in Alzheimer's, Parkinson’s, and related neurodegenerative diseases. The "AD/PD™ Session Spotlight" series is an AI-powered podcast that brings you key insights from the AD/PD™ Conference, with expert presentations and research discussions transformed into concise, easy-to-digest episodes. Join us as we uncover the latest innovations, explore groundbreaking research, and discuss the future of neurodegenerative disease treatments and therapies.

  1. JAN 16

    Drug Development & Biomarkers in Rare CNS Diseases, AD/PD™ Session Spotlight

    In this episode, we spotlight Forum Discussion 08 from the AD/PD™ 2025 International Conference — “Drug Development & Biomarkers in Rare CNS Diseases (ALS, FTD) from Basics to Approval – How to Define Success.” The discussion was moderated by Prof. Angela Genge (Canada) and Prof. Laura Ranum (USA), with expert contributions from Dr. Francesca Cignarella (USA), Prof. Guy Rouleau (Canada), Dr. Toby Ferguson (USA), and Prof. Patrick Weydt (Germany). Key highlights from this session include: • Advances in drug development for rare neurodegenerative diseases, with a focus on ALS and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) • Lessons learned from antisense oligonucleotide therapies, including SOD1-targeting approaches that have shown meaningful clinical impact in ALS • The growing importance of genetic stratification, enabling earlier and more targeted intervention in both symptomatic and presymptomatic individuals • How insights from related disorders, such as Huntington’s disease, are informing biomarker development, including the interpretation of neurofilament signals • The critical role of biomarkers in guiding clinical trials, measuring disease-relevant outcomes, and accelerating regulatory approval • The power of public–private partnerships, exemplified by initiatives such as the ALS Accelerating Medicines Partnership • The need for data sharing, collaboration, and patient involvement to overcome the challenges inherent in rare disease research • New infrastructure efforts, including the upcoming ALS Knowledge Platform, aimed at integrating data across studies to drive discovery The panel emphasized that success in rare CNS disease research requires not only scientific innovation, but also coordinated global collaboration, smarter trial design, and biomarkers that truly reflect disease biology. While challenges remain, the session conveyed strong optimism that genetics-driven approaches and shared data ecosystems will accelerate progress for ALS and FTD. This episode is particularly relevant for neurologists, translational researchers, clinical trialists, biotech and pharma professionals, patient advocacy leaders, and regulators working in rare neurodegenerative diseases. This podcast was created using AI to provide a concise and insightful summary of an AD/PD™ 2025 session. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, listeners are encouraged to consult official conference materials for detailed information. The AD/PD™ 2025 International Conference on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases and related neurological disorders took place April 1–5, 2025, in Vienna, Austria. 🔗 https://adpd.kenes.com

    20 min

  2. 11/14/2025

    Challenges and Opportunities for Anti-Tau Therapies: Turning Hope Into Clinical Progress, AD/PD™ Session Spotlight

    In this episode, we highlight Forum Discussion 07 from the AD/PD™ 2025 International Conference — “Challenges and Opportunities for Anti-Tau Therapies in Clinical Trials – How Can We Make Hopes Come True?” The session was moderated by Prof. Manfred Windisch (Austria) and Prof. Luc Buée (France), featuring expert insights from Prof. Virginia Lee (USA), Dr. Toby Ferguson (USA), Dr. Larisa Reyderman (USA), Dr. Szofia Bullain (Switzerland), and Dr. Adam Fleisher (USA). Key themes explored in this discussion include: • The scientific and clinical complexities of targeting tau pathology across the continuum of Alzheimer’s disease • The importance of early therapeutic intervention and matching treatment modalities—immunotherapies, RNA-based approaches, small molecules—to the stage of tau progression • Longstanding and emerging perspectives on tau biology, including:– The structural insights into tau filament formation,– The implications of core tau domains, and– The relevance of astrocytic markers such as GFAP • Industry and academic collaboration on next-generation programs, including Biogen’s E2814 and other early-phase anti-tau candidates • The ethical and scientific challenges of selecting the right patient populations, especially as precision medicine reshapes clinical trial expectations • The need for robust biomarkers to define tau-driven pathology, enable better staging, and support development of more targeted and effective therapies • Recognition that Alzheimer’s is often a multi-pathology disease, requiring treatment approaches capable of addressing interacting pathways, not only tau • The importance of broad, well-designed clinical trials to clarify which interventions work best—and for whom The session concluded on a note of cautious optimism: while anti-tau therapy remains one of the field’s greatest challenges, rapid progress in molecular understanding, biomarker development, and precision medicine is accelerating the path toward meaningful clinical breakthroughs. This episode is ideal for scientists, clinicians, drug developers, and anyone closely following the evolving landscape of tau-targeted therapies and Alzheimer’s disease research. This podcast was created using AI to provide a quick and insightful summary of an AD/PD™ 2025 session. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, listeners are encouraged to refer to original conference materials and recordings for detailed information. The AD/PD™ 2025 International Conference on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases and related neurological disorders, took place on April 1-5, 2025, in Vienna Austria. https://adpd.kenes.com/

    39 min

  3. 10/16/2025

    Therapy for AD, PD & LBD: Translational Models, Neuroinflammation, and Novel Therapeutic Targets, AD/PD™ Session Spotlight

    In this episode, we spotlight Forum Discussion 06 from the AD/PD™ 2025 International Conference — “Therapy for AD, PD & LBD: Novel Translational Models, New Receptor- and Neuroinflammation-Based Targets – How Close Are We to Success?” The session was moderated by Prof. Gabriel Gold (Switzerland) and Dr. Meg Smith (USA), with contributions from Dr. Pablo Sardi (USA), Prof. Michael Heneka (Luxembourg), Prof. Thomas Südhof (USA), Dr. Taylor Schmitz (Canada), Prof. Frank Longo (USA), and Dr. Cynthia Lemere (USA). Key highlights include: • The ongoing challenge of translating preclinical success into human trials, and the limitations of current animal models • Efforts to develop more human-relevant models, such as those from the NIH-funded Model AD and Marmoset AD initiatives • The potential of cross-species omics approaches to improve understanding between mouse and human biology • Advances in in vitro and organoid models, offering new opportunities to study human-specific neuronal and synaptic functions • The role of AI and data integration in accelerating drug discovery and identifying novel therapeutic pathways • Exploration of pathology spread in Alzheimer’s disease, an area poorly represented in traditional models • Discussion of non-human primate models, highlighting both their translational promise and ethical considerations • The emergence of neuroinflammation, receptor-based mechanisms, and systemic factors as key therapeutic targets • Recognition of resilience mechanisms and sex differences in disease progression and response to treatment This discussion offers a deep dive into the evolving landscape of translational neuroscience, where technology, biology, and innovation intersect to drive new therapeutic possibilities. Ideal for researchers, clinicians, and industry professionals working in neurodegenerative disease modeling, drug discovery, and translational medicine. This podcast was created using AI to provide a quick and insightful summary of an AD/PD™ 2025 session. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, listeners are encouraged to refer to original conference materials and recordings for detailed information. The AD/PD™ 2025 International Conference on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases and related neurological disorders, took place on April 1-5, 2025, in Vienna Austria. https://adpd.kenes.com/

    39 min

  4. 10/02/2025

    Pivotal Points in Prevention Trials and the New Era of Precision Medicine for Alzheimer’s Disease, AD/PD™ Session Spotlight

    In this episode, we spotlight Plenary Lecture 06 from the AD/PD™ 2025 International Conference — “Pivotal Points in Prevention Trials and the New Era of Precision Medicine for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders.” The session was chaired by Prof. Gabriel Gold (Switzerland), with the lecture delivered by Prof. Miia Kivipelto (Sweden), an internationally recognized leader in dementia prevention research. Key highlights include: • Results from the landmark FINGER study and the global expansion through Worldwide FINGERS, now active in 70 countries• Evidence showing that delaying dementia onset by five years could cut cases by 50% worldwide • Insights into modifiable risk factors — lifestyle, vascular, metabolic, and environmental — and the importance of early intervention • Emerging studies, such as HAHA, which explores the role of hearing aids in preventing cognitive decline • Long-term cognitive, cardiovascular, and cost-effectiveness benefits of multi-domain prevention strategies • The potential of personalized and precision prevention, combining lifestyle interventions with pharmacological treatments like metformin • Ongoing work to harmonize global research, validate tools, and ensure effective implementation in clinical practice This episode is essential listening for clinicians, researchers, policymakers, and anyone interested in the future of Alzheimer’s prevention, precision medicine, and brain health strategies at both individual and population levels. This podcast was created using AI to provide a quick and insightful summary of an AD/PD™ 2025 session. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, listeners are encouraged to refer to original conference materials and recordings for detailed information. The AD/PD™ 2025 International Conference on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases and related neurological disorders, took place on April 1-5, 2025, in Vienna Austria. https://adpd.kenes.com/

    18 min

  5. 09/12/2025

    Novel Approaches to Accelerate Development of Biomarkers, Imaging, and Therapy of Alpha-Synuclein, LRRK2, and GBA Pathologies, AD/PD™ Session Spotlight

    In this episode, we spotlight Forum Discussion 5 from the AD/PD™ 2025 International Conference — “Novel Approaches to Accelerate Development of Biomarkers, Imaging, and Therapy of Alpha-Synuclein, LRRK2, and GBA Pathologies Linked to PD, LBD, and MSA.” Moderated by Dr. Jamie Eberling (USA) and Dr. Ken Marek (USA), the discussion brought together leading experts: Prof. Fabrizio Stocchi (Italy), Prof. Amos Korczyn (Israel), Dr. Tomislav Babic (Austria), Dr. Maria Maccecchini (USA), Dr. Robert Drolet (USA), Dr. Jose-Alberto Palma (USA), and Dr. Tania Nikolcheva (Switzerland). Key highlights include: • The promise of digital biomarkers, including app-based approaches to monitor disease progression • Advances and challenges in developing alpha-synuclein PET ligands and the importance of curated patient samples • Precision medicine strategies targeting lysosomal, mitochondrial, and neuroinflammatory pathways • The potential of GLP-1 receptor agonists and combination therapies for Parkinson’s and related disorders • Progress toward patient stratification using genetic and biomarker profiles to improve outcomes • Critical reflections on causation vs. correlation in biomarker science • How Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) may serve as a model to accelerate therapy developmentThis episode is relevant for neuroscientists, clinicians, industry researchers, biotech developers, and anyone interested in advancing biomarker science, precision medicine, and therapeutic innovation in Parkinson’s disease, Lewy Body Dementia, and MSA. This podcast was created using AI to provide a quick and insightful summary of an AD/PD™ 2025 session. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, listeners are encouraged to refer to original conference materials and recordings for detailed information. The AD/PD™ 2025 International Conference on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases and related neurological disorders, took place on April 1-5, 2025, in Vienna Austria. https://adpd.kenes.com/

    18 min

  6. 08/21/2025

    Pathogenic Mechanisms of Familial AD and Emerging Therapeutic Developments, AD/PD™ Session Spotlight

    In this episode, we highlight Plenary Lecture 05 from the AD/PD™ 2025 International Conference — “Pathogenic Mechanisms of Familial AD and Emerging Therapeutic Developments.” Chaired by Prof. Manfred Windisch (Austria), the lecture was delivered by Prof. Jie Shen (USA), a leading neurologist from Harvard Medical School whose pioneering research has transformed our understanding of familial Alzheimer’s disease (FAD) and its underlying molecular mechanisms. Key highlights include: • The Preclin hypothesis: how loss of presenilin function drives neurodegeneration and dementia in AD• Insights into presenilin mutations as loss-of-function drivers impacting synaptic activity, memory, and neuronal survival• Preclinical evidence supporting presenilin-based gene therapy as a potential treatment for familial AD• The role of lipid homeostasis genes interacting with presenilin as modulators of neurodegeneration• How restoring wild-type presenilin function in mouse models rescues gamma-secretase activity and reverses memory deficits• The broader implications of presenilin and APP mutations for both mechanistic understanding and future therapies This lecture is particularly relevant for neuroscientists, geneticists, translational researchers, and drug developers interested in the molecular underpinnings of Alzheimer’s disease and next-generation therapeutic strategies. This podcast was created using AI to provide a quick and insightful summary of an AD/PD™ 2025 session. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, listeners are encouraged to refer to original conference materials and recordings for detailed information. The AD/PD™ 2025 International Conference on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases and related neurological disorders, took place on April 1-5, 2025, in Vienna Austria. https://adpd.kenes.com/

    15 min

  7. 07/31/2025

    Translational Drug Development in AD: Promising Strategies for Treatment and Disease Modification, AD/PD™ Session Spotlight

    In this episode, we unpack the key insights from Forum Discussion 04 at the AD/PD™ 2025 International Conference — “Translational Drug Development in AD (Phase I–III) and Relevance for Treatment and Disease Modification: What Could Be Promising Strategies? Small Molecules for Symptomatic & Disease Modification.” Moderated by Dr. Jeffrey Cummings (USA) and Dr. Howard Fillit (USA), this forward-looking discussion brought together leaders in drug development and clinical research, including Prof. Miia Kivipelto (Sweden), Dr. Reisa Sperling (USA), Prof. Philip Scheltens (Netherlands), and Dr. Geoffrey Kerchner (Switzerland), to explore promising approaches in Alzheimer’s treatment — from lifestyle interventions to next-gen therapeutics. Key highlights include: • How the biology of aging is shaping the future of drug discovery in Alzheimer’s disease• Updates from the FINGER trial and how global prevention initiatives are influencing public health policy• The importance of biomarkers in linking therapeutic effects to cognitive outcomes in clinical trials• What makes a biotech company investment-worthy — insights from both scientific and venture capital perspectives• The critical role of Phase II trials in identifying viable candidates for late-stage development• Challenges in Alzheimer’s drug pipelines — from trial recruitment to demonstrating disease modification• The growing emphasis on combination therapies and the integration of lifestyle-based strategies alongside pharmacological approaches This episode is especially relevant for drug developers, clinical trial designers, translational scientists, policy makers, and investors focused on advancing both symptomatic and disease-modifying therapies for Alzheimer’s disease. This podcast was created using AI to provide a quick and insightful summary of an AD/PD™ 2025 session. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, listeners are encouraged to refer to original conference materials and recordings for detailed information. The AD/PD™ 2025 International Conference on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases and related neurological disorders, took place on April 1-5, 2025, in Vienna Austria. https://adpd.kenes.com/

    24 min

  8. 07/24/2025

    Treatment of DLB and PDD: Status and New Developments, AD/PD™ Session Spotlight

    In this episode, we feature Plenary Lecture 04 from the AD/PD™ 2025 International Conference — the Eric N. Birch Memorial Lecture, titled “Treatment of DLB and PDD: Status and New Developments.” Chaired by Dr. Sandra Moose (USA) and presented by Prof. Dag Aarsland (UK), this important plenary cast a spotlight on two often-overlooked conditions in the neurodegenerative disease landscape: Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) and Parkinson’s Disease Dementia (PDD). Prof. Aarsland delivered a comprehensive update on the therapeutic landscape of Lewy body dementia, both current standards and promising directions in the pipeline. Key highlights include: • The persistent underdiagnosis and underfunding of Lewy body dementia research, despite its high prevalence • An overview of current evidence-based treatments, including cholinesterase inhibitors and Pimavanserin for psychosis • A review of ongoing and recent drug trials — including Neflamapimod, CT1812, Ambroxol, and Dantrolene • The importance of repurposed drugs and symptom management toolkits like the Diamond Lewy Toolkit • The emerging role of non-pharmacological approaches such as cortical stimulation • New directions in biomarker-based stratification for targeted therapies • A call for better trial designs and increased research collaboration in the DLB/PDD space This episode is especially relevant for neurologists, clinical researchers, drug developers, healthcare policymakers, and advocacy groups working to improve outcomes for people living with Lewy body and Parkinson’s-related dementias. This podcast was created using AI to provide a quick and insightful summary of an AD/PD™ 2025 session. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, listeners are encouraged to refer to original conference materials and recordings for detailed information. The AD/PD™ 2025 International Conference on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases and related neurological disorders, took place on April 1-5, 2025, in Vienna Austria. https://adpd.kenes.com/

    22 min
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AD/PD™ is the leading international platform dedicated to exploring the latest breakthroughs and treatments in Alzheimer's, Parkinson’s, and related neurodegenerative diseases. The "AD/PD™ Session Spotlight" series is an AI-powered podcast that brings you key insights from the AD/PD™ Conference, with expert presentations and research discussions transformed into concise, easy-to-digest episodes. Join us as we uncover the latest innovations, explore groundbreaking research, and discuss the future of neurodegenerative disease treatments and therapies.

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