What Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s researchers can learn from each other

By Dr Leah Mursaleen, Head of Clinical Research at Alzheimer’s Research UK 

Last week at the scientific conference AD/PD 2026, researchers from across the world came together to share the latest developments in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s research. One of the clearest messages from the conference has been that these two conditions have more in common than once thought.  

Scientists are increasingly looking beyond symptoms and focusing on the underlying biology of disease. That shift is creating important opportunities to learn across traditional disease boundaries. No one field will solve these challenges alone and if researchers in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s can share knowledge, test ideas together and learn from each other’s progress, we stand a better chance of speeding up the search for better treatments for people living with dementia and related conditions.

Shared biology, shared opportunity 

One of the strongest themes at this year’s conference has been the growing understanding that Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s share some of the same underlying processes. Inflammation was a major focus, with researchers exploring how changes in the immune system, including outside the brain, may play a role in both diseases. This is an important area of research, because it could help us better understand how these conditions develop and where new treatment opportunities may lie. 

Biomarkers were another major focus at AD/PD 2026. A clear message from the conference was that no single test is likely to answer every question. Instead, researchers are moving towards a more personalised approach that combines different types of information, from blood tests to digital tools. These tools could play an important role in supporting earlier diagnosis, tracking disease progression more accurately, matching people to the right clinical trials, and monitoring how disease changes over time.  

Speakers highlighted the promise of blood-based biomarkers but also stressed that results need to be interpreted carefully, especially when other health conditions or additional brain changes are involved. There was also a focus on digital biomarkers, such as data collected through phones or other everyday technologies, which could help track changes over time in a more real-world and continuous way. Together, these approaches could help build a fuller picture of disease and, in time, support more personalised treatment and care for people affected by dementia. 

Using AI to speed up discovery 

Another big topic at AD/PD 2026 has been the growing use of artificial intelligence in research. Speakers described AI as a tool that could help researchers work through huge amounts of information more quickly and effectively. In fields like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s research, scientists are often dealing with complex, fragmented data from many different sources, and AI could help bring those pieces together. 

AI could be used to pull together evidence, spot patterns, highlight gaps in knowledge and help generate new ideas to explore. That could be especially valuable in neurodegenerative diseases, where progress depends on connecting many different clues across biology, genetics, imaging and clinical research. It may also help researchers understand the full picture of dementia, especially when people are living with other health conditions or several different changes in the brain at once. 

These sessions also highlighted how important it is that the datasets used to build and train these models are robust. Without strong, representative underlying data, AI tools will only ever be as reliable as the evidence they are built on. And while AI is not a shortcut to new treatments on its own, it could become an increasingly important tool for helping scientists navigate complexity and focus their efforts. Any ideas it helps generate will still need to be tested carefully in the lab and in clinical research.

Turning collaboration into action 

The themes of this years’ conference highlight exactly why partnerships matter. At Alzheimer’s Research UK, our partnership with Cure Parkinson’s reflects the value of bringing expertise together across disease areas. By working collaboratively, we can help fast track promising drugs into clinical trials and build on what different fields can learn from one another. 

This is also a key part of our Clinical Accelerator Programme, which is designed to speed up the development and testing of potential treatments and bring more clinical trials to the UK for people living with, or likely to develop, dementia. By building expertise and supporting innovation to accelerate trials, helping create the stronger clinical research environment needed to turn scientific progress into real benefits for patients and families.  

Looking ahead 

Conferences like AD/PD are about much more than listening to talks. They are a chance for research teams to meet industry, partners and other scientists, discuss new ideas and build relationships that can lead to long-term collaboration. For our team at Alzheimer’s Research UK, those conversations are an important part of how we identify gaps, shape our research programmes and help move the wider dementia research field forward.  

The biggest takeaway from AD/PD 2026 is that collaboration is not just helpful, it is essential. As researchers learn more about the biology behind Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, working across disease areas, disciplines and organisations will be key to accelerating progress. By sharing expertise, learning from each other, and working together we can give ourselves the best possible chance of delivering better outcomes for families living with these diseases.