Scientists in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s research gather in Gothenburg

From 28 March, nearly 4,000 scientists from around the world have been gathering in Gothenburg, Sweden, to share the latest research findings on neurodegenerative diseases. The AD/PD International Conference on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases and related neurological disorders was opened by Her Majesty Queen Silvia, a strong advocate for dementia research. In total, around 130,000–150,000 people in Sweden suffer from the diseases. The prestigious congress is coming to Sweden and Gothenburg thanks to the world-leading research conducted by the large research group led by Kaj Blennow and Henrik Zetterberg, both professors at the University of Gothenburg and chief physicians at Sahlgrenska University Hospital. They are developing biomarkers for Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases. “It is an exciting time right now. A new drug for Alzheimer’s has just been approved in the US and is currently being evaluated by the European Medicines Agency. This type of drug will be most effective early in the disease process. It is a good thing therefore, that we have developed biomarkers that can detect the disease early and allow treatment many years before dementia has set in,” says Zetterberg. Detection can be done with a simple blood test, which is a method that the scientists at Sahlgrenska have been involved in developing. “Large and important medical congresses like AD/PD are significant for Gothenburg, increasing knowledge and competence in healthcare and making recruiting international talent to academia and research-intensive companies in our region easier,” says Peter Grönberg, CEO of Göteborg & Co. AD/PD runs until 1 April at the Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre in Gothenburg. Photo: The Swedish Exhibition and Congress Centre with Gothia Towers Hotel, courtesy: House of Vision/Goteborg Co