Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder predominately afflicting the older population – and with recent exponential developments in medicine and thus life expectancy, the risk and incidence of AD have consequently increased. As there is no definitive cure for AD, current treatment approaches have had a greater focus on delaying disease progression and maintaining cognitive function.

Our understanding of the pathogenesis concerning AD is key to developing targeted therapeutics; β-amyloid plaque accumulation and volume reduction of the hippocampus can serve as viable prognostic biomarkers. However, synaptic dysfunction is also a major contributor to AD pathology. From the mechanisms of synaptic loss to the associated AD risk genes – this podcast will provide an overview of the importance of synapses in AD presented at the AD/PD 2022 and ARUK 2022 meetings.

Discover the thoughts of leading authorities Afia Ali, PhD, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, UK; Makis Tzioras, PhD, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; and Thomas Südhof, MD, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA – as they discuss the significance of synapses in AD.