Biography:

Tayebi is a Senior academic at the University of Melbourne and heads the protein misfolding disease group. Dr Tayebi has previously very successfully led to startup biotechnology companies in the UK and the US.

Abstract:

An active and promising area of research for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is immunotherapy using antigens (active) or antibodies (passive) that target AD neuropathology. Senile plaques contain the beta-amyloid (Aβ) peptide that is derived from a longer precursor protein, amyloid precursor protein. Amyloid beta is produced as either a 40 or 42 amino acid peptide, the latter being more fibrillogenic and toxic than the shorter isoform. Initially produced as a soluble peptide, Aβ subsequently can form oligomers, a molecular complex of monomer units. Aβ oligomers are highly toxic to neurons and particularly damaging to synapses. There is strong evidence that oligomer accumulation may seed plaque aggregation and serves as an early molecular target for preventing AD. Interestingly, oligomers can be detected by antibodies based upon structure with less of a need to target the amino acid sequence of an individual protein making antibody development for oligomers a fascinating area to pursue. Antibodies developed against oligomers may be able to bind several misfolded proteins implicated in neurodegenerative diseases. Immunotherapy studies have typically used transgenic mouse models of AD, and subsequently translated to human clinical trials. However, the success rate of these translational studies has been limited. In contrast, studies in another animal model, the aged canine, indicated that immunotherapy led to similar outcomes in AD clinical trials; reduced Aβ plaque pathology with no improvements in cognition but indications of a slowing of cognitive decline. We have previously developed and characterized unique anti-Aβ single domain antibodies derived from camelids. These antibodies, we called PRIOAD, were able to (i) cross the in vitro and in vivo blood brain brain (BBB) in mice rats and in vitro human BBB model; (ii) bind with high affinity to soluble oligomers derived from synthetic and native human Aβ but not their monomeric and fibrils counterparts; and (iii) not induce neurotoxic effects and host immune responses in mice. PRIOADs were evaluated for their therapeutic efficacy in a pilot sutdy using aged beagles with mild cognitive impairment. Following intraventricular infusion of PRIOAD for 3 months, there was a significant reduction of Aβ plaque burden in these animals. More importanly, PRIOADs led to reversal of the cognitive deficits in beagles. The study was very encouraging and will be expanded to include larger number of animal cohorts prior to translation into human clinical trials.

Biography:

Abstract:

Biography:

Abstract:

Biography:

Abstract:

Biography:

Abstract:

Biography:

Abstract:

Biography:

Abstract:

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of most devastating diseases affecting elderly people, Amyloid-β (Aβ) accumulation and the downstream pathological events such as Tau phosphorylation play critical roles in ADpathogenesis. Edaravone is marketed for acute ischemic stroke, has been proved for its capacity of inhibiting Aβ aggregation and attenuating Aβ-induced oxidation in vitro. According to MTT assay, EDA has shown strong protection effect against cytotoxicity induced by CuSO4 and H2O2 on SY5Y695 cells. In the neurite outgrowth assay, the cortex neuron isolated from C57 pups were treated with 1uM Aβ42 in the presence of different concentration of EDA, data shows the neurite length of EDA 3uM group increased to 30% to the control group and two folders high then the Aβ only group. The PI staining apoptosis assay also indicated that cells treated with EDA in differently concentration significantly reduced the death caused by CuSO4.In addition, P25/35 ratio is also changed in EDA treatment group, in the 3uM EDA group, P35 expression is significant increase while P25 decease 2 folders. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) are enzymes that hydrolyze the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) to acetate and choline, the AChE is often found to be highly active in AD pathology, according the AchE activity assay, the pilot result shows suppression effect of EDA on AchE activity in vitro.

The ectodomain of p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR-ECD) has been suggested to play important roles in regulating beta-amyloid (Aβ) deposition and in protecting neurons from the toxicity of soluble Aβ. Thus, we injected EDA and P75ECD as a combination to treat AMY mice (AD model animal), we expect to see this combination can alleviates Alzheimer's disease-type pathologies and cognitive deficits.

Biography:

Abstract:

LPS is a well established model for induction of neuroinflammation and amyloidogenesis widely used to study the pathway of many neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease. Phenolics are widely known for their different beneficial characteristics, they could be considered as promising therapeutic agents against neurodegenerative diseases.

In this study, hydroalcohol extract of leaves and stalks of Bauhinia variegata has been shown to ameliorate neurodegenerative diseases owing to the high phenolic content including flavonoids.

The effect of the plant was studied in a dose dependent manner in comparision to herbal (green tea) and non-herbal reference (donepezil HCl) standards and the in vivo study was designed in what is promised to be the in vivo triad. The peak of the triad was represented by improvement of cognitive performance in in vivo behavioural tests (Y maze and water maze). The first side of the triad base was represented by biochemical analysis done on brain homogenates by ELISA where a recognizable decrease in amyloid beta 42 was observed by 39.89%, 59.8%, 71.3% and 78.49% after administration of doses 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of the studied extract respectively in addition to an increase in SOD levels by 80%, 2.4 folds, 4.5 folds and 5.6 folds after treatment with the same doses respectively.

The second side of the triad base was represented by histopathological investigation which confirmed the previous findings.

According, Bauhinia variegata could be considered as a phenolic capsule that can bombard and delay progression of neurodegenerative diseases.

Biography:

Luis Angel Francisco Sorroza Lopez has completed his PhD at the age of 26 years from University Regional del Sureste Oaxaca Mexico Medical School and master studies from La Salle University Mexico Faculty of Chemical Sciences. He has been priced from the current University for winning the category at master level in Health Sciences from the anual research contest of the University.

Abstract:

Dementia is a growing world health threatening condition declared as priority by WHO; the prevalence of the condition reached 47.5 million people in 2015, affecting mainly population over 65 years old. With an incidence of 7.7 million per year, the prevalence is expected to reach 81.1 million by the year 2040 and over 130 million in 2050, with increasing numbers in population under 50 and 40 years of age. Dementia represents one of the major burdens to health care systems globally ($812,000 million in 2015). The current pharmacological treatments are limited to mitigating the onset and development of the disease and management of the most usual symptoms, which modulate the course of the disease with diverse side effects that range from personal discomfort to sudden death. There is strong evidence from clinical studies that participation in mentally and physically stimulating activities in early stages of the disease (MCI, mild cognitive impairment) is associated with decreased incidence and/or prevalence of dementia. We have researched the database of Pubmed, Cochrane, Medline, Sciencedirect, and EBSCO, to collect evidence of 250 references on the following subjects: pathophysiology, management and the costs of dementia. From the mentioned data we have elaborated a cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit study; the analysis was performed under a Markov model, and the purpose is to compare the pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. The results feasibly support that an early diagnosis and onset of non-pharmacological intervention, both cognitive and physical, is the best cost-benefit choice for patients with MCI and dementia.

Biography:

We are a two woman theatre company based in the North West (Graduates from the University of Chester and 2015 Venture winners) who write and perform our own theatre, all of which explore life issues. Our first being 'Over the Garden Fence'. This play follows the story of Annabelle and her Gran Dolly, on a nostalgic journey through Grans life, sharing memories of happiness, sorrow and joy. It is a fast paced, uplifting and comical exploration into family, life and relationships that promotes an awareness of dementia that is accessible to all. Our play encourages conversation and engages audiences in the discussion of not only dementia but the importance of the individual behind the diagnosis. Professional's, mental health care services, careers and families, have seen our play as a tool to bring people together and discuss prevalent and complex issues.

Abstract: