Immunotherapy targeting abnormal protein aggregates has emerged as one of the most promising treatment strategies for neurodegenerative disorders. In a pioneer study, immunization against amyloid-β efficiently cleared brain pathology in a transgenic Alzheimer mouse model. Similarly, the first clinical trial based on active immunization indicated certain beneficial effects, but unfortunately also side effects for some of the Alzheimer patients.

 

Passive immunization with monoclonal antibodies against amyloid-β may represent a safer and more reliable treatment approach for Alzheimer’s disease. Moreover, therapeutic antibodies could also target the pathological proteins in Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington’s disease, Creutzfeldt-Jacob’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. To efficiently treat these disorders, the therapy most likely has to be initiated at an early stage, before any substantial brain damage has occurred. Thus, novel methods are needed in order to help us diagnose the patients as early as possible.

 

At this two-day symposia, world-leading scientists in the emerging field of immunotherapy for neurodegeneration and experts in the field of biomarkers will come together to discuss the latest developments in the field.