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Watch now Dementia Researcher X ISTAART Relay Podcast Series

We’re delighted to bring together all six episodes from the 2025 season of the Dementia Researcher x ISTAART PIA Relay Podcast into one easy-to-access playlist. This unique podcast series features engaging conversations between committee members of ISTAART’s Professional Interest Areas (PIAs), highlighting the people, research, and priorities shaping dementia science around the world.

Now in its sixth season, the Relay Podcast continues to showcase the breadth and depth of work happening across ISTAART’s global network of researchers. Each episode sees one PIA representative interviewing another, passing the baton along in a chain of lively and insightful exchanges. From plasma biomarkers and neuroimaging to diversity in research and nutrition science, this series captures what’s happening at the cutting edge.

Released daily in the run-up to the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) in Toronto, each conversation also explores how PIAs are contributing to this year’s conference and advancing their respective fields. The International Society to Advance Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment (ISTAART) supports these communities by bringing together specialists with shared interests across its 30 PIAs, helping to connect early career researchers with established experts, and promoting international collaboration.

Here’s a quick look at each episode in this year’s series:

Episode 1 – Atypical Alzheimer’s Disease PIA – Dr Colin Groot discusses with Dr Alexa Pichet-Binette the unique challenges of researching atypical Alzheimer’s presentations, such as posterior cortical atrophy and primary progressive aphasia, and how neuroimaging is helping clarify their distinct signatures.

Episode 2 – Biofluid Based Biomarkers PIA – Dr Marta del Campo outlines the latest progress in plasma biomarkers and proteomics with Dr Colin Groot, including how fluid markers are being validated for use in clinical trials and real-world diagnosis, and how collaborations with imaging researchers are expanding.

Episode 3 – Sensory Health and Cognition PIA – Professor Natalie Phillips shares with Dr Marta del Campo why hearing, vision, and smell are more than sensory losses—they may also contribute to dementia risk. They explore mechanisms, modifiable risk factors, and emerging research challenges.

Episode 4 – Nutrition, Metabolism and Dementia PIA – Professor Owen Carmichael talks with Professor Natalie Phillips about the rise of precision nutrition and how factors like APOE genotype, diet patterns, and metabolic health may shape dementia risk and prevention strategies.

Episode 5 – Diversity and Disparities PIA – Dr Shana Stites explains to Professor Owen Carmichael how this PIA is working to improve equity and representation in Alzheimer’s research—whether that’s through inclusive study design, compensation models, or community partnerships.

Episode 6 – Neuroimaging PIA – Dr Alexa Pichet-Binette joins Dr Shana Stites to discuss how combining PET imaging with plasma biomarkers is reshaping early diagnosis and disease tracking. She also highlights the Neuroimaging PIA’s education efforts, including their standout “Year in Review” and AIC preconference.

🎧 Explore the full playlist below, and listen or watch and hear directly from the researchers shaping the future of Alzheimer’s and dementia science.

🔗 Not yet an ISTAART member? Learn more and join a PIA today at: www.istaart.alz.org

Welcome to the sixth season of the Dementia Researcher X ISTAART PIA Relay Podcast. This series features interviews with ISTAART PIA committee members talking about their research, the research landscape of their fields, and the work of the ISTAART Professional Interest Areas (PIA) they represent. As we build up to the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Toronto, join us for daily episodes that showcase the remarkable work being done in various research fields.

In this episode, Dr Shana Stites interviews Dr Alexa Pichet-Binette, Assistant Professor at University of Montreal and Education Chair of the Neuroimaging PIA. Alexa discusses her work using PET and MRI imaging, and how fluid biomarkers like plasma-based assays are reshaping Alzheimer's diagnostics. She also highlights the role of the Neuroimaging PIA in ISTAART, including collaborations, working groups, and the popular “year in review” sessions. They explore how these initiatives support early career researchers and foster community, with a preview of pre-conference workshops at AAIC 2025 in Toronto.

The Alzheimer’s Association International Society to Advance Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment (ISTAART) convenes the global Alzheimer’s and dementia science community. Members share knowledge, fuel collaboration and advance research to find more effective ways to detect, treat and prevent Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Professional Interest Areas (PIA) are an assembly of ISTAART members with common subspecialties or interests.

There are currently 30 PIAs covering a wide range of interests and fields, from the PIA to Elevate Early Career Researchers to Biofluid Based Biomarkers and everything in between.

To sign-up to ISTAART and a PIA visit: http://www.istaart.alz.org
Note: ISTAART Membership is free for students worldwide, and for researchers of all levels based in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

To book your place at this year’s AAIC (In-person and online) visit:
http://www.aaic.alz.org

Find more information on our guests, and a full transcript of this podcast on our website at: http://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/podcast

The views and opinions expressed by guests in this podcast represent those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of NIHR Dementia Researchers, PIA membership, ISTAART or the Alzheimer's Association.

#neuroimaging #istaart #aaic @alzassociation

Chapters

00:00 Titles
01:05 Introductions
02:21 Learn about Alexa's research and her inspiration for the field
06:39 ISTAART collaborations
09:50 Hot topics and PIA's work
12:19 How does the Neuroimaging PIA work
16:33 You don't have to be in Neuroimaging
19:43 Plans for AAIC 2025
22:11 Beyond the pre-conference
23:27 Build up to Sylvia Villeneuve, Ph.D.
25:34 Even more coming at AAIC
27:31 Top tips for first time attendees
29:06 Roundup and Goodbyes

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