Preparing for Disease Modifying Therapies for Dementia

Preparing for Disease Modifying Therapies for Dementia: implications for research, trials and clinical services

The Dementia Research Centre at Queen Square Institute of Neurology is delighted to invite you to this symposium which will be held on 27th of April 2023 from 2pm to 6pm in the Kennedy Lecture Theatre at UCL’s Institute of Child Health, WC1N 1EH, London .

The results of recent clinical trials suggest that we are on the cusp of a new era in Alzheimer’s disease therapeutics and may soon have drugs that can both impact on the fundamental biology of the disease, and slow functional decline for patients.  However, this comes with considerable costs and logistical challenges for delivery and safety monitoring within the NHS; and will have implications for research and future clinical trials.

This symposium brings together clinicians, industry representatives, regulators, patients, and charities to consider the opportunities and the challenges ahead, through a series of talks, interactive round table discussions, and audience participation, led by a faculty of international experts from UCL and the USA.

Unable to attend in person? Don’t worry, we’ll be livestreaming the event directly to our YouTube Channel.

Programme

2.00 – 2:05

Welcome and intro to the afternoon, housekeeping – Professor Jonathan Schott, MD (UCL)

2:05 – 2:20

Setting the scene – The long journey of amyloid immunotherapies, What have we learnt, and what are the unanswered questions? – Professor Nick Fox, MD (UCL)

2:20 – 2:35

Research & trial implications, What does this mean for future trials – and for observational studies. Will there be placebo arms still? Combination trials? – Professor Frederik Barkhof, MD (UCL & Amsterdam)

2:35 – 3:15

Roundtable 1 with audience Q & A, Implication for research & clinical trials – Chair, Professor Jonathan Schott – Panellists: Professor Frederik Barkhof, Professor Nick Fox, Dr Catherine Mummery, MD (UCL) + Hilary Evans (CEO, ARUK)

3:15 – 3.45

Break

3.45 – 3.50

Welcome back, intro & explanation of session – Dr Catherine Mummery

3:50 – 4:05

Patient experience – in conversation, What is it like to be in a trial? What were the effects, challenges, benefits? – Patient and Professor Jonathan Schott

4:05 – 4.20

Implications for clinical services in the UK, Current capabilities & future needs, Diagnosis, delivery, monitoring, biomarker & imaging requirements – Dr Catherine Mummery

4.20 – 4.30

The US experience – Mayo, What is being done in the US? What are the questions being asked? Dr Jonathan Graff-Radford, MD (Mayo Clinic)

4.30 – 4.40

Lessons from another neuro DMT, The MS experience. How were DMTs introduced? Where and how fast? How did services have to change? – Dr Heather Wilson, MD (UCL)

4.40 – 5:15

Roundtable 2 with audience Q & A, Implications for clinical services – Chair, Professor Nick Fox, Dr Jonathan Graff-Radford, Professor Frederik Barkhof, Dr Heather Wilson, Dr Catherine Mummery, Professor Jonathan Schott

5.15- 5:55

Intro Prof Sebastian Crutch (UCL) – Round Table 3: Implications for care & support, Current situation. What will this mean for patients and families? What is needed? Issues for, views of, patients & charities? – Professor Sebastian Crutch, MD (UCL), Professor Jonathan Schott, Patient and partner, Kate Lee (CEO, Alzheimer’s Society), Professor Gill Livingston (UCL)

5:55 – 6.00

Closing remarks – Professor Nick Fox

6.00 – 7.00

Drinks reception

Places are limited and tickets include a networking drinks reception after the event.

Instead of a registration fee, we ask that attendees consider donating to Rare Dementia Support, funded by the National Brain Appeal, in our fundraising to build the world’s first Rare Dementia Support Centre – Read more

The event is entirely supported by the Queen Square Institute of Neurology, but we do welcome stalls, for costs email e.lugara@ucl.ac.uk