International Brain Health Conference 2026

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

Sheraton Grand Hotel, Edinburgh, UK

EarlyBird registration – 50% discount until 16 March 2026

Conference themes and speakers

The programme will explore contemporary challenges and innovations in brain health through speaker presentations and scientific sessions.

The New Landscape for Brain Health
Women’s Health and Brain Health
Brain Health Services and Health Economics
Nutrition and Global Health
Comorbidities in Brain Health
Sleep and Mental Health
Imaging and Fluid Biomarkers

The following speakers are confirmed. Additional speakers will be added over the coming weeks with the full programme to be announced soon.

Prof Jeff Cummings

Prof Jeff Cummings

University of Nevada

Therapeutic and diagnostic nihilism giving way to optimism

Prof Vanessa Raymont

Prof Vanessa Raymont

University of Oxford

Brain Health Services in the UK

Dr Oliver Shannon

Dr Oliver Shannon

Newcastle University

Mediterranean Diet and Brain Health

Prof Allan Young

Prof Allan Young

Imperial College London

Life course mood disorders and neurodegenerative disease

Prof Eef Hogervorst (Loughborough University)

Prof Eef Hogervorst (Loughborough University)

Menopause and Brain Health

Dr Francesca Farina (University of Chicago)

Dr Francesca Farina (University of Chicago)

Gender differences from Next Gen Survey

Prof Baljean Dhillon (The University of Edinburgh)

Prof Baljean Dhillon (The University of Edinburgh)

Ophthalmic insights to the Brain

Dr Marialena Dounavi

Dr Marialena Dounavi

University of Cambridge

Cerebrovascular disease and Brain Health

Dr Sam Danso

Dr Sam Danso

The University of Sunderland

PREVENT Ghana

Prof Charlotte Warren-Gash

Prof Charlotte Warren-Gash

London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

Infectious disease and Brain Health

Dr Paul Donaghy

Dr Paul Donaghy

Newcastle University)

Prodromal Dementia with Lewy Bodies

Prof Fiona Wilson

Prof Fiona Wilson

Trinity College Dublin

Gender differences in contact sport

Prof Terry Quinn

Prof Terry Quinn

University of Glasgow

Chairing session on Comorbidities

Dr Sarah Gregory

Scottish Brain Sciences

Chairing session on Women’s Health and Brain Health

Prof Emma Stevenson

Prof Emma Stevenson

Newcastle University

Chairing session on Nutrition and Global Health

Organising committee

Prof Craig Ritchie, MBChB, PhD

Prof Craig Ritchie, MBChB, PhD

CEO and Founder, Scottish Brain Sciences

Professor of Brain Health and Neurodegenerative Medicine, University of St Andrews

Anna Borthwick

Anna Borthwick

Director of Engagement, Scottish Brain Sciences

Director of Engagement and Strategic Advisor to the CEO, Scottish Brain Sciences

Prof John Harrison, PhD

Prof John Harrison, PhD

Associate Professor at the Alzheimer Center, VU Medical Center in Amsterdam.

Sponsorship opportunities

A range of sponsorship packages is available for corporate partners. For more information on how your organisation can support IBHC 26, email events@brainsciences.scot

Register by 16 March 2026 for 50% Early Bird discount