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In 2008, the Alzheimer’s Association created a new avenue to advance dementia research by launching the International Society to Advance Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment (ISTAART). ISTAART brings together the global Alzheimer’s and dementia science community. Today, ISTAART has grown into an inclusive global network of scientists, clinicians, and professionals who share common goals: the pursuit of knowledge, collaborations and breakthroughs in order to find more effective ways to detect, treat and prevent Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
Professional Interest Areas are assemblies of ISTAART members with common subspecialties or interests.
PIAs
- Provide a networking forum for ISTAART members.
- Offer members an opportunity to submit a Featured Research Session or Perspective Session proposal for the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference® (AAIC®).
- Allow members to share their latest discoveries and techniques.
- Provide mentoring opportunities and career guidance to junior scientists and students.
- Create up-to-date educational content for the wider dementia research and treatment community.
- Promote collaboration on papers.
- Award recognition for emerging impactful science.
PIAs work on a goal-oriented approach. Executive committee members meet online every 1 – 3 months to discuss progress and members meet in person at AAIC.
Sensory Health and Cognition PIA
Sensory health and cognition are at the intersection of two major public health challenges facing an aging global population. Hearing and vision impairments are among the most common and disabling comorbidities in Alzheimer’s disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) and may worsen the trajectory of decline yet frequently go unrecognized and unaddressed. Hearing loss has been consistently associated with incident dementia and accelerated cognitive decline. Vestibular impairment and olfactory dysfunction are also highly prevalent and may serve as key biomarkers in dementia. Identifying sensory impairment and intervening may serve as important nonpharmacological interventions to aid in caring for persons aging with cognitive impairment. Addressing sensory impairments, such as hearing, may also be an important intervention to prevent ADRD. Moreover, hearing and vision deficits are important to consider during cognitive assessment.
This PIA seeks to bring together leaders and trainees with a focus on sensory health, broadly defined. This PIA will aid in the generation of the latest evidence on the epidemiology and impact of sensory impairment on cognition. With a multidisciplinary focus, this PIA aims to integrate sensory health into the routine study of cognition and the care of persons aging with ADRD, from basic science and clinical investigation to community-delivered care.
Chair: Natalie Phillips
Vice Chair: Carrie Nieman
Programs Chair: Iracema Leroi
Communications Chair: Walter Wittich
Steering Committee Member: Esther Oh
Early Career Representative: Ingrid Ekström
Students can become members of ISTAART free of charge.
Dementia Researcher
Adam Smith