International Research Conference In Neurodegenerative Diseases 2025

University Of Florida, Gainesville FL

Investigators

Abstract

Summary Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are expected to double in the next two decades. This will result in an extraordinary global burden on healthcare budgets and families. Most neurodegenerative diseases are idiopathic and thought to arise from multi-factorial insults, many modifiable, rather than a single cause. Even in largely genetic-based NDs, their emergence and severity are influenced by modifiable factors, most of which are common across NDs. A major barrier preventing effective therapy development, or concrete public heath prevention-based directives is the lack of efficient integration of research findings across these multiple complex factors. In fact, the current biomedical research model, naturally siloed to deliver knowledge depth at the expense of integration, sometimes hinders the broader multi-disciplinary study of complex syndromic diseases including neurodegenerative diseases. To address this gap, we propose to expand the current format of an existing annual conference, the International Research Conference in Neurodegenerative Diseases to now include programmatic aspects that foster interdisciplinary exchange of ideas and the active participation of non- neurodegeneration investigators studying risk-associated aspects of relevance to neurodegenerative disease. This unique opportunity can be achieved by immersing the existing IRCND meeting into the University of Florida College of Medicine environment with nationally and internationally renowned research centers and institutes in neurodegeneration (CTRND, Center for Neurogenetics, & Fixel Institute) and, more importantly, leading centers spearheading research into physiological systems and mechanisms linked to neurodegenerative diseases. These include but are not limited to aging (UF center for cognitive aging & translational research), sensory loss (Center for Smell & taste), respiratory control (Breathe Center), and environmental/occupational risk factors such as infection (Sepsis Research Center) and traumatic brain injury (BRAIN center). Additionally, supported by a $70m investment from NVIDIA, UF provides a unique opportunity to harness the rapidly growing artificial Intelligence (AI)-focused biomedical research infrastructure to further foster knowledge expansion and collaborations that can lead to a better integration of these complex multifactorial traits and neurodegenerative disease mechanisms. The goal is to help “de-silo” neurodegenerative disease research by spurring interdisciplinary collaborative efforts that will nourish science, create “integrative” neurodegeneration new scientists, and more effectively drive new therapy development.