EPND was delighted to contribute to this year’s Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) in Toronto, where partners presented findings across biomarker science, regulatory developments, and clinical research. These contributions reflect EPND’s mission to support collaborative, cross-disease research and enable responsible data and biosample reuse across neurodegenerative diseases.

Cross-disease biomarker insights

Several presentations focused on EPND's biomarker case studies, which are answering important research questions by analysing biosamples across neurodegenerative diseases, and on a large scale. Aurore Delvenne (Maastricht University) shared findings on the role of the choroid plexus in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB).

Conducted as part of EPND's second biomarker case study, this analysis used cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) proteomics data from 10 research cohorts across six European centres. Among 2,902 proteins quantified, 799 were highly expressed in the choroid plexus. The study indicates that choroid plexus dysfunction varies across diseases, and is linked to distinct biological pathways, including innate immunity, transcriptional regulation, and extracellular matrix processes. These results add to a growing body of EPND evidence on disease-specific molecular mechanisms.

Inflammatory and immune-related mechanisms

Marianna Rizzo (Maastricht University) presented findings on the complement system across AD, PD, and DLB. Using data from EPND cohorts, her analysis showed disease-specific associations between complement proteins and established biomarkers, supporting the role of immune dysregulation in neurodegeneration. Complement activity varied by disease, indicating potentially distinct mechanisms of immune involvement and highlighting possible targets for future intervention. Sofia Kinton (Sanofi) shared results from a CSF proteomics study investigating inflammatory pathways in Alzheimer’s disease. The analysis identified upregulation of specific inflammatory markers and pointed to potential new drug targets. This research contributes to a better understanding of how systemic and central inflammation may influence Alzheimer’s pathology and progression.

Molecular subtypes and personalised medicine

Betty Tijms (Amsterdam UMC) delivered an oral presentation on biological subtypes of Alzheimer’s disease identified through CSF proteomics. Her work, which was published in the Nature Aging journal, categorised patients into subgroups with different risk profiles, based on patterns of protein expression and genetic risk. These findings support a more nuanced understanding of Alzheimer’s progression and the need for stratified approaches in both research and treatment. EPND co-Lead, Pieter Jelle Visser (Maastricht University) presented complementary results from a clinical trial cohort (MISSION-AD), which identified the five molecular subtypes of Alzheimer’s disease, characterised by distinct biomarker signatures. These results demonstrate the potential to integrate subtype classification into clinical trial design and future therapeutic strategies.

Regulatory perspectives on biomarker use

Lysbeth Bakker (CBG-MEB) contributed both a poster and a presentation during the ISTAART pre-conference workshop entitled “Advancing Alzheimer’s Research Through Best Practices in Study Design.” She introduced the BEST framework (Biomarkers, EndpointS, and other Tools) and emphasised the importance of defining a biomarker’s "context of use" in regulatory evaluation. Drawing from a recent EPND publication in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: TRCI, co-authored with CBG-MEB colleagues Audrey Hermans and Marjon Pasmooij, she reviewed over 100 EMA procedures involving biomarkers. The study found that acceptance of biomarkers varies by condition, and that biological plausibility and demonstration of clinical benefit are critical factors in regulatory decision-making.

EPND was also present at Booth 630, hosted by our partners at the AD Data Initiative. Visitors could learn more about the EPND Hub and its integration with the AD Workbench - demonstrating how platform interoperability can support secure, ethical, and efficient data sharing. As part of the AD Data Initiative's Data Platform Partner Network, EPND contributes to aligning standards and governance frameworks across initiatives such as DPUK, GAAIN, and others, helping accelerate research and innovation in neurodegenerative diseases.

We look forward to building on this progress and sharing future developments at AAIC 2026 in London!