Biomarkers consolidate their key role in the future of Alzheimer’s and neurodegenerative disease research

The Barcelonaβeta Brain Research Center (BBRC), the research center of the Fundació Pasqual Maragall, hosted a new edition of the International Course on biomarkers in neurodegenerative diseases, an initiative co-organized with the University College London (United Kingdom) and the University of Gothenburg (Sweden). 

Over five days, from June 1-5, the course brought together 80 participants and around twenty international experts to discuss the main advances in biomarkers applied to neurodegenerative diseases, with a special focus on Alzheimer’s disease. This year’s meeting, now in its 8th edition, has become an annual benchmark event for knowledge exchange and international scientific collaboration in the field of biomarkers. This consolidation also reflects the growth of an emerging field that, in recent years, has demonstrated the indispensable role of biomarkers as a key tool for early diagnosis. 

The program addressed some of the most relevant challenges and opportunities in current research, such as the development of biomarkers for early diagnosis, monitoring disease progression, and evaluating new disease-modifying therapies. Advances were also discussed in areas such as genetics, proteomics, fluid biomarkers, and neuroimaging.

Notable speakers included Sir John Hardy, a British geneticist and pioneer in Alzheimer’s research; Carlos Cruchaga, a researcher in genomics and molecular biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease; Charlotte Teunissen, professor of neurochemistry and an international reference in biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases; Nick Fox, a neurologist specialized in neuroimaging applied to Alzheimer’s disease; Maura Malpetti, an expert in biomarkers of brain inflammation and neuroimaging for the study of dementias; and William Jagust, a leading neuroscientist in brain imaging biomarkers (PET) for Alzheimer’s disease. 

Aimed especially at predoctoral and postdoctoral research staff, the course offered a unique opportunity for training and scientific networking for young researchers from a range of countries. The sessions combined theoretical content with discussion forums and opportunities to exchange experiences between established experts and emerging talent in biomedical research, with the goal of helping to train the next generation of scientists specializing in neurodegenerative diseases.

“Biomarkers will play a fundamental role in the coming years, both in early diagnosis and in the development and monitoring of new treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. This course allows us to share knowledge, build new collaborations, and drive research forward at a pivotal moment in the field," emphasises Dr. Marc Suárez-Calvet, head of the Fluid Biomarkers and Translational Neurology group at BBRC.

With this new edition, held for the 2nd time at the BBRC, the Biomarkers Course reaffirms Barcelona’s role as an international meeting point for biomedical research and strengthens the Fundació Pasqual Maragall’s commitment to advancing research in Alzheimer’s disease and brain health.