Spain and Portugal consolidate their collaboration in the fight against Alzheimer's on World Alzheimer's Day

• Her Majesty Queen Sofia has chaired the official celebration of World Alzheimer's Day, as part of the 2024 International Congress on Neurodegenerative Diseases in Lisbon.
• The joint initiative of Spain and Portugal focused on early detection with biomarkers and neuroimaging, new pharmacological therapies, advancements in precision medicine, and experimentation with artificial intelligence for diagnosis.

Madrid, September 21, 2024. Her Majesty Queen Sofia chaired the official celebration of World Alzheimer's Day today in Lisbon, as part of the International Congress on Neurodegenerative Diseases. The congress brought together prominent scientists, health professionals, and patient associations in the Portuguese capital.

The event, held at the Champalimaud Foundation, was attended by Ana Paula Martins, the Minister of Health of Portugal; Eva Ortega, Secretary General for Research; Juan Fernández Trigo, Spanish Ambassador to Portugal; and Leonor Beleza, President of the Champalimaud Foundation.

The congress reaffirmed the collaboration between the two countries in researching and treating neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, a condition that has a higher incidence in aging societies like Spain and Portugal, as well as increasing social and economic costs.

Organized by the Reina Sofía Foundation, CIEN (Center for Neurological Diseases Research, part of the Carlos III Health Institute), and the Champalimaud Foundation, the congress gathered researchers from around the world, health professionals, and patient associations like CEAFA (Spanish Confederation of Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias), Alzheimer Europe, and the Alzheimer Portugal Association. This combination aligns with the goals of consolidating early diagnosis, care, and the development of pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies, as well as raising societal awareness.

New Therapies and Scientific Advances: A Turning Point in the Fight Against Alzheimer’s

The congress marked a hopeful moment in the study and treatment of Alzheimer’s, with the concrete prospect of new pharmacological therapies being approved for the first time in decades, as well as significant advances in precision medicine, early detection using biomarkers and neuroimaging, and the use of artificial intelligence for diagnosis.

Eva Ortega, Secretary General for Research, highlighted CIEN’s work, the international collaboration, and the joint research networks in which Spain holds a prominent place, as well as “the central importance of education and social awareness for the early detection of neurodegenerative diseases.”

Marcelo Mendonça, neurologist and researcher at the Champalimaud Foundation, emphasized that “this congress was essential to debate the various issues surrounding neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, focusing on the importance of precise diagnosis and the different therapies, both pharmacological and non-pharmacological, that can be applied to combat these diseases.”

John Krakauer ,Director of the Human Neurosciences Program at the Champalimaud Foundation, stated, “In this meeting with various international partners, we addressed the importance of discussing key health issues to find innovative solutions in the field of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.”

Pascual Sánchez Juan, CIEN’s Scientific Director, pointed out, “With increasingly advanced techniques and combined approaches, it is now possible to detect Alzheimer’s at an early stage, especially with blood biomarkers. If we add to that the new pharmacological therapies and advances in precision medicine and genetics, we can say that we are in a moment of change that we didn’t foresee a few years ago.”

Additionally, Mª Ángeles Pérez, Manager of CIEN, highlighted that “While it is positive that life expectancy in countries like Spain or Portugal exceeds 80 years, and we are seeing important advancements in Alzheimer’s research, it compels us to redouble efforts in research and social awareness, to continue supporting research with means and resources—tasks that wouldn’t be possible without the support of the Reina Sofía Foundation and the personal commitment of Her Majesty Queen Sofia.”

With the active involvement of scientific institutions, governments, and patient organizations, the congress served as a platform to reinforce international cooperation and develop new strategies to address Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases in the context of the global, and particularly European, phenomenon of population aging.

About the Reina Sofía Foundation and the Alzheimer’s Center Reina Sofía Foundation

Founded in May 1977 by Her Majesty Queen Sofia, the Reina Sofía Foundation is a mixed entity with a charitable and cultural character, non-profit, and of permanent nature. Over these 47 years, it has managed and promoted over two hundred and fifty projects in partnership with dozens of social entities, focused on educational, health, environmental, and social humanitarian aid, benefiting children, the elderly, immigrants, people with disabilities, disadvantaged populations, and victims of natural disasters.

Research on neurodegenerative diseases has been a priority for the Reina Sofía Foundation since 2002, with the Alzheimer’s Center Reina Sofía Foundation being one of its central milestones. The center is a comprehensive care complex that addresses Alzheimer’s disease from three angles: research, training, and patient care

Its research unit is assigned to CIEN for conducting research projects on neurodegenerative diseases, projects that receive ongoing collaboration and funding from the Reina Sofía Foundation and the personal involvement of Her Majesty Queen Sofia.

About CIEN (Center for Neurological Diseases Research)

CIEN is the Center for Neurological Diseases Research, dependent on the Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities through the Carlos III Health Institute. From its headquarters at the Alzheimer’s Center Reina Sofía Foundation, CIEN supports, promotes, and coordinates research on neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer’s but also other dementias and ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis).

CIEN has a unique tissue bank in Spain, both in its organization and resources, and is a benchmark in the dissemination and social awareness of neurodegenerative diseases.

About the Champalimaud Foundation

The Champalimaud Foundation, based in Lisbon, is dedicated to cutting-edge research in neuroscience and cancer, combining research programs with clinical services of excellence. Its approach is based on a translational methodology that connects basic research with clinical activity, seeking significant scientific advancements to improve the health and well-being of people.