Neurodegeneration: From Mechanisms to Precision Diagnosis and Therapies
Published in Social Sciences, Neuroscience, and Computational Sciences
Important Deadlines
Early Registration Deadline: February 9, 2027
Scholarship Deadline: December 15, 2026
Short Talk Abstract Deadline: December 15, 2026
Poster Abstract Deadline: March 19, 2027
Meeting Summary
Title: Neurodegeneration: From Mechanisms to Precision Diagnosis and Therapies
Date: April 11 - 14, 2027
Location: Whistler Conference Centre, Whistler, BC, Canada
Scientific Organizers: Bruce Miller, Ana Maria Cuervo, and Brandy Matthews
Keynote Speaker(s): Alfred Njamnshi †, University of Yaoundé, and Daniel S. Reich, NINDS, National Institutes of Health
Neurodegenerative diseases rank among the costliest diseases in the world. Diminishing risk factors for dementia like hypertension, lack of exercise and obesity is helping to reduce the prevalence of these disorders in wealthier segments of society, while lower-socio-economic populations are seeing increases in dementia prevalence. Compelling advances in basic science tied to novel clinical approaches are beginning to bear fruit in the diagnosis and early interventions for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), non-AD dementias, and other neurodegenerative conditions. Precision in diagnosis, tied to interventions around social determinants of health along with the discovery of novel disease-modifying therapies, is bringing hope in a field that was once considered hopeless.
This meeting takes a broad approach to neurodegenerative conditions, by bringing speakers from basic neurobiology, translational neuroscience, and the clinic to discuss advances in these fields. Novel themes at this conference will probe the effect of social determinants of health on dementia outcomes, discuss advances in precision-molecule-based diagnosis that include the use of AI modeling, new advances in clinical trials and new discoveries from basic biology around proteostasis, protein propagation, and degradation. Sessions will bring together world leaders in neurodegeneration that will include emerging early investigators. The talks should inspire cross-talk between basic scientists and translational researchers to advance new cross-disciplinary approaches for the field.
Specifically, the program will:
1. Capture advances in genetics across novel populations;
2. Explore new discoveries in the biology of protein misfolding, aggregation, degradation and spreading for different molecular subtypes of pathogenic species;
3. Highlight advances in diagnosis of neurodegenerative conditions from AI-based modeling, new blood-based biomarkers, and molecular imaging;
4. Evaluate new therapeutic approaches that are being explored with platform trials;
5. Mix scientists from industry with basic biologists and translational neuroscientists to explore new opportunities for precision diagnosis and therapeutics for patients.
Attendees should leave this meeting with new connections to people outside of their disciplines that will allow future innovations. The advances in diagnosis will be explored while areas that need new biomarkers originating from cutting edge neurobiology will be emphasized. Bringing therapies for preventing protein spread and increasing protein degradation will be advanced through the interaction of basic scientists with representatives from industry.
*This meeting will be held jointly with Neural-Immune Interactions: Immune Modulation of CNS Biology
Join Options
Attend in person, via livestream, or catch sessions on demand after the conclusion of the conference.
*Keystone Symposia Scholarships & Awards*
Keystone Symposia offers discounted registration to students in undergraduate, M.S., Ph.D., or M.D. programs, providing access to the latest scientific advances, technologies, and approaches to further research and careers.
In addition, several financial aid opportunities are also available to support attendance at its scientific meetings:
- Student and Postdoctoral Scholarships provide up to $1,200 to help defray travel, lodging, registration, and related costs when presenting a poster at an in-person conference. Awards are competitive, based on the abstract’s scientific quality and relevance, and you must apply by the individual scholarship deadline for the desired meeting (abstract + mentor letter required).
- Early-Career Travel Awards (ECITAs) support early-career investigators with funding to attend meetings; these also require application by the posted deadline for each conference.
- Global Health Travel Awards (GHTAs) provide financial aid for scientists, clinicians, fellows, and students from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to participate in select Keystone Symposia meetings, especially those focused on global health topics. These awards may cover registration, lodging, airfare, and ground transportation, and applications are submitted through the Financial Aid Portal by the listed meeting deadlines. Learn which meetings have in-person GHTAs available: https://www.keystonesymposia.org/financial-aid/global-health-awards/ghta-listing
For details on eligibility, deadlines, and how to apply for financial aid, visit: https://www.keystonesymposia.org/financial-aid.