Alzheimer’s Association International Conference 2026, London, UK

Pascalyne’s reflections

Attending the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) 2026 was an inspiring experience. Being surrounded by over 13,000 researchers, scientists, clinicians, policymakers, advocates, and people with lived experience from 111 countries was a powerful reminder that the fight against Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementias is truly a global movement. Despite our diverse backgrounds, we were united by one shared purpose – to improve lives, accelerate discoveries, and ultimately find effective treatments and a cure for dementia.

The sheer breadth of scientific innovation, reflected in more than 800 podium presentations and 7,900 submitted abstracts, left me optimistic that the future of dementia research is brighter than ever. A particular highlight was the featured session on dementia research in Africa, titled Dementia in Africa: Bridging the gap between high-level genomic research and community-led dementia prevention and care strategies. This session highlighted the importance of ensuring that cutting-edge scientific discoveries translate into meaningful, culturally relevant interventions that improve the lives of people and communities across Africa. As someone working in community-based dementia research, I found this deeply resonant, and it reaffirmed the value and impact of the work we are doing at AFRIMEB.