Dementias Platform UK: TRANSLATION 2025

We recently attended TRANSLATION 2025, organized by Dementia Platform UK, where experts shared groundbreaking developments in treatment approaches, diagnostic methods, and research methodologies. The presentations revealed a field undergoing rapid transformation, with significant implications for patients and healthcare professionals alike.

The theme of the conference was Embracing Complexity and that was continuously highlighted across the two days.

The conference was opened by Prof. John Gallacher talking about preparing for next-gen therapies, emerging treatments capable of impacting disease progression. These new drugs represent a paradigm shift from symptom management to potentially modifying the underlying disease mechanisms, and in this new landscape, it is important to translate scientific discovery into benefits for patients.

Biomarker Revolution and Advancing Research

Novel biomarkers, particularly plasma markers for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, took center stage at several sessions. Researchers presented compelling evidence for a multimodal approach that combines biomarkers, PET imaging, and clinical outcomes in longitudinal studies to more comprehensively measure disease progression.

Cutting-edge brain scanning technology is proving crucial in identifying the earliest changes caused by Alzheimer’s disease. This advanced imaging helps drug developers identify what to look for when testing new therapies, potentially allowing intervention before damage becomes irreversible.

Interesting research was also presented by Prof. Ivan Koychev on the effects of a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, semaglutide, on neuroinflammation and tau accumulation in people at risk for dementia. Semaglutide has shown promise in earlier studies for reducing inflammation in the brain and slowing down the progression of cognitive decline, opening new research avenues.

Data-Driven Research and AI Integration

The conference highlighted how global data sharing is accelerating dementia research. AI applications were prominently featured, particularly AI-guided Alzheimer’s detection using blood markers, though governance issues were acknowledged as requiring careful consideration.

Professor Cath Mummery’s keynote address on next-generation Alzheimer’s trials was particularly insightful, as she detailed how platform trials (i.e. trials that are open ended, meaning new interventions can be added, assessed, and removed as time goes on, without having to specify what they might be at the start) can accelerate the testing of multiple interventions while ensuring fair access to promising treatments.

Inclusivity in Clinical Trials

A recurring theme was the need for more inclusive research practices. Presenters emphasized:

• Considering population comorbidities and social determinants when defining entry criteria
• Addressing structural exclusion due to biomarker cutoffs
• The impact of socioeconomic deprivation on dementia mortality
• Developing strategies to better represent diverse populations in clinical trials
• Leveraging existing community relationships to improve research participation

The Role of Digital Cognitive Assessment

In line with the theme of Embracing Complexity, digital cognitive assessments can have a fundamental role in dementia drug development. Francesca Cormack, Chief Scientist at Cambridge Cognition highlighted the importance of having scalable, sensitive and meaningful cognitive measures to respond to emerging challenges in the clinical and healthcare setting, by including for instance remote, multimodal and high-frequency testing.

Patient-Centered Approaches

Perhaps the most impactful presentation came from a patient, who shared his lived experience with Lewy Body dementia. His powerful talk highlighted issues of invisibility and social isolation. His message resonated deeply with attendees: continue researching, but “remember it is for people, not just for research’s sake.”

Looking Forward

The conference emphasized precision in experimental design, with discussions on stratified recruitment to reduce screen failure rates and improve assessment accuracy. Researchers acknowledged the importance of considering heterogeneity both between and within diagnoses, suggesting a move toward more personalized approaches to dementia research and treatment.

The future of dementia research is exciting, from novel biomarkers to AI applications, inclusive trial design to patient-centered approaches, the field is evolving in ways that promise more effective interventions and better outcomes for those affected by neurodegenerative disorders.