Biomarkers in blood lead the way to the future of Alzheimer's research

The Barcelonaβeta Brain Research Center (BBRC), research center of the Pasqual Maragall Foundation, has hosted the 6th Edition of the Workshop on biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases, an initiative promoted by the BBRC, together with the University College of London (United Kingdom) and the University of Göteborg (Sweden).

The Biomarkers Workshop is a highly relevant scientific event in the field of biomedical research, and has gathered for the first time in Barcelona more than 80 international experts in imaging, fluid and digital biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases, with a special focus on the Alzheimer's.

For an entire week, the headquarters of the Pasqual Maragall Foundation has hosted different meetings focused on all aspects of the Alzheimer's approach, which have provided a great opportunity for collaboration and the exchange of ideas among the participants, as well as for professional growth.

The event, co-directed by researchers Marc Suárez-Calvet and Marta del Campo (BBRC), Ross Paterson (University College London) and Michael Schöll (University of Göteborg), was attended by 60 doctoral students from 11 different countries. The diversity of this student population has added an enriching global perspective along with an outstanding panel of twenty leading speakers in the field who have shared their knowledge and experiences with attendees. "This workshop has been a unique opportunity to delve into biomarkers and explore new frontiers of research. We have had the opportunity to plan research work in an inspiring and collaborative environment. It has been a good example of how to take advantage of the knowledge acquired here for the development of future advances in the field of health. The Biomarkers Workshop has been a resounding success and has reaffirmed Barcelona's position as a reference destination for the most outstanding scientific events", adds Marc Suárez-Calvet, head of the group of Biomarkers in Fluids and Translational Neurology of the BBRC.

The role of biomarkers in the future approach to Alzheimer's

Blood-based biomarkers are those molecules present in the blood and other tissues that indicate the existence of Alzheimer's and are increasingly necessary for research in neurodegenerative diseases, as well as a key element for diagnosis, for Alzheimer's monitoring and future therapies. They can indicate a person's risk of developing the disease, but they can also provide keys in the field of early diagnosis to find new treatments.

The researcher Marc Suárez-Calvet has highlighted on this matter that “in the coming years there will be a paradigm shift in the approach to the disease. On the one hand, we will have better biomarkers to detect Alzheimer's very early and accurately. In addition, we will have new treatments that, although they do not cure the disease, will help slow the progression of cognitive decline.”