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This week\\u2019s episode marks the 1st of a series focused on Alzheimer\\u2019s disease (AD) research.\\xa0 All episodes were recorded in San Diego, CA, where Connor Wander attended the BrightFocus Alzheimer\\u2019s Disease Fast Track conference, followed by the Society for Neuroscience annual meeting.

The Society for Neuroscience (SfN) is a well-known conference, drawing 28 thousand people annually.\\xa0 In contrast, AD Fast Track is a much smaller conference put on by BrightFocus, a foundation built to support AD and glaucoma research and awareness.\\xa0\\xa0Many of the speakers at the event were directly supported by BrightFocus (Lamb, Brinton, Head, Grinberg).

Alzheimer\\u2019s disease research is reinventing itself in the wake of past failures. \\xa0New understandings of disease complexity, paired with recent advances in technology and a renewed surge in funding for research fuels new hope for a cure or treatment.\\xa0 Yet we aren\\u2019t putting all our eggs in one basket.\\xa0 This series will explore Alzheimer\\u2019s disease research and the variety of research strategies with the common goal of curing Alzheimer\\u2019s disease.

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In This Episode

Listen in to hear an\\xa0overview of the BrightFocus AD Fast Track conference and current standing of Alzheimer\\u2019s disease research.\\xa0 We also focus on animal models of Alzheimer\\u2019s disease.

@6:07\\xa0Dr. Diane Bovenkamp introduces BrightFocus and the AD Fast Track Conference.

@21:00\\xa0Dr. Frank LaFerla breaks down amyloid beta and tau in Alzheimer\'s disease research.

@37:31\\xa0Dr. Bruce T. Lamb describes the MODEL-AD project, which seeks to better simulate Alzheimer\'s disease in animal models.

Special thanks to all podcasts guests and to Martha and Rachel from BrightFocus!

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More Information

Listen to a brief summary of Alzheimer\\u2019s disease signs and symptoms with Dr. Diane Bovenkamp.

Find more quick chats on the BrightFocus Foundation website, including some tips and support for Alzheimer\\u2019s disease caregivers.

The amyloid cascade hypothesis is commonly discussed in Episode 41: Alzheimer\\u2019s disease roundtable.

Listen to a discussion of Amyloid beta\\u2019s putative role as an ancient ant-microbial peptide in the brain in Episode 13: Amyloid Beta: Villain, or Hero in Alzheimer\\u2019s Disease?

This possible role for Amyloid beta is important in the Amyloid cascade hypothesis; the idea that amyloid beta is the first thing to go wrong in AD, and triggers a chain reaction causing tau to aggregate and kill neurons. \\xa0This is a commonly discussed hypothesis in Alzheimer\\u2019s research, and is often referenced in this series.

Learn more with a detailed infographic on the Amyloid cascade hypothesis. \\xa0It\\u2019s in a perspective piece discussing the recent developments in AD research by Biogen, and Eisai, two companies working on Alzheimer\\u2019s disease therapeutics like such as anti-amyloid or anti-tau antibodies, which have shown some promise in AD clinical trials.

For more in-depth analysis of developments in AD and other neurodegenerative diseases, check out Alzforum.org\\xa0for Alzheimer\\u2019s disease background reading.

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Any other questions?\\xa0\\xa0Let us know!\\xa0 We appreciate your feedback.

You can now support the podcast at\\xa0https://www.patreon.com/sfspodcast.\\xa0 Many thanks to our past and present supporters!\\xa0

Thanks to\\xa0Plant Warrior\\xa0for their support.\\xa0 Use discount code SFS10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase of plant-based protein.