Advancing Brain Health Before Dementia
The International Brain Health Conference 2026 brings together international leaders to explore the latest advances in understanding, diagnosing, and treating neurodegenerative disease before dementia develops.
Through the lenses of public health, personalised medicine, and early detection, the conference will examine emerging tools, biomarkers, and service models that enable earlier, more effective intervention and support brain health across the life course.
Facilitated by us at Scottish Brain Sciences, the conference provides a forum for rigorous scientific exchange and cross-sector collaboration among:
- Life sciences and pharmaceutical partners​
- Researchers​
- Clinicians
- Policymakers and health system leaders
- Innovators in diagnostics and prevention
Tickets can be purchased through the event Humanitix page.
Date and venue
18 -19 May, 2026
(Conference opens 11.30 on 18 May and closes at 17.15 on 19 May)
Sheraton Grand Hotel, Edinburgh, UK

Content programme and agenda
Monday 18 May
Session two – Service developments in brain health
Time: 14:45 to 16:30
Chair: Anna Borthwick
- Changing our perspective: From curing Alzheimer’s to preserving brain health, Prof Wiesje van der Flier – Alzheimer Netherland
- ePSOM: Capturing personally meaningful treatment benefits, Seamus Small – LINUS
- Brain health services in the UK, Prof Vanessa Raymont – University of Oxford
- Economics of brain health, Prof Dominic Trepel – Trinity College Dublin

Prof Vanessa Raymont

Prof Wiesje van der Flier

Seamus Small

Dominic Trepel
Monday 18 May
Session three – Physical and mental health comorbidities
Time: 17:00 to 18:00
Chair: Dr Jeff Cummings
- Depression and neurodegenerative disease, Prof Allan Young – Imperial College London
- Scientific Communication: Infection disease and brain health, Prof Charlotte Warren-Gash – London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Networking canapes and drinks from 18:00 to 19:30

Prof Allan Young

Prof Charlotte Warren-Gash
Tuesday 19 May
Session four – Nutrition and Global Health
Time: 08:45 – 10.00
Chair: Prof Emma Stevenson
- Targeting the brain to improve obesity, Prof Lora Heisler – University of Aberdeen
- Dietary patterns and brain health, Dr Oliver Shannon – Newcastle University
- PREVENT Ghana, Dr Sammy Danso – University of Sunderland
- Worldwide FINGERS in Africa, Dr Chi Udeh-Momoh – Wake Forest University

Prof Lora Heisler, PhD

Dr Oliver Shannon

Dr Sam Danso

Dr Chi Udeh-Momoh

Prof Emma Stevenson
Tuesday 19 May
Session five – Brain imaging
Time: 10:50-12:10
Chair: Prof Terry Quinn
- Recent findings and future directions, Prof Frederik Barkhof – UCL
- Brain vascular health, Dr Marialena Dounavi – Cambridge University
- Ophthalmic insights to the brain, Prof Baljean Dhillon – University of Edinburgh
Lunch break
Sponsored symposium from 12:30 – 13:30 (To be Announced).

Prof Baljean Dhillon

Dr Marialena Dounavi

Professor Frederik Barkhof

Prof Terry Quinn
Chairing session on Comorbidities
Tuesday 19 May
Session six – Women’s health and brain health
Time: 13:45 – 15:35
Chair: Dr Sarah Gregory
- Menopause and brain health, Prof Eef Hogervorst – Loughborough University
- Women’s health and the Next Gen Programme, Dr Francesca Farina – University of Chicago
- Intimate partner violence and brain health, Dr Natalie Jenkins – Mount Sinai
- Contact sport and brain health, Dr James Robson – Scottish Rugby Union

Prof Eef Hogervorst

Dr Francesca Farina

Dr Natalie Jenkins

Dr James Robson

Dr Sarah Gregory
Tuesday 19 May
Session seven – Clinical Considerations
Time: 16:00 – 17:15
Chair: Prof John Harrison
- Prodromal dementia with Lewy Bodies, Dr Paul Donaghy – Newcastle University
- Blood Based Biomarkers: Gateway to a better future, Prof Craig Ritchie – University of St Andrews
- Conference closing remarks, Prof John Harrison – Amsterdam UMC

Dr Paul Donaghy

Prof Craig Ritchie, MBChB, PhD

Prof John Harrison, PhD
Conference sponsors and partners
Thank you to our sponsors and partners for supporting the International Brain Health Conference 2026







