Dementia with Lewy Bodies: Filling the Gaps in Translational and Clinical Research

Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is a complex and challenging brain disorder. DLB is characterized by the presence of Lewy bodies in the brain and cognitive decline that worsens over time. DLB also affects other parts of the body.   

Because DLB is characterized by a group of symptoms that overlap with other disorders, particularly dementias, and parkinsonism, it is very often misdiagnosed or not diagnosed. Recent encouraging developments in measuring alpha-synuclein (e.g., seeding assays, PET ligands) suggest that the time may be ripe for re-evaluating DLB characterization, similar to how Alzheimer’s disease has recently been redefined to specify the biological processes. Existing efforts to create disease profiles based on clinical symptoms and biomarkers in other disorders can be leveraged to improve and increase recognition of DLB. 

Dementia with Lewy Bodies:  Filling the Gaps in Translational and Clinical Research, a two-day virtual workshop sponsored by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), aims to expand the knowledge base in medical and associated sciences by bringing interdisciplinary researchers to discuss gaps in translational and clinical research in DLB. 

The workshop will be held November 12 – 13, 2024 and broadly supports the goals of the National Plan for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias in response to the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA), to build upon and leverage HHS programs and other federal efforts to help change the trajectory of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD). 

Registration: https://www.nia.nih.gov/research/dn/workshops/dementia-lewy-bodies-filling-gaps-translational-and-clinical-research 

For more information and to register, please visit: https://www.nia.nih.gov/research/dn/workshops/dementia-lewy-bodies-filling-gaps-translational-and-clinical-research