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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
Registration and lunch from 11.30 – 12:30
Opening session – The New Landscape for Brain Health
Time: 12:30 to 14:00
Chair: Professor Craig Ritchie
- Welcome to IBHC2026, Anna Borthwick – Scottish Brain Sciences
- Insights from lived experience of Alzheimer’s, speaker to be announced
- The Journal of Brain Health and IBHC Partnership: A shared vision, Kate Hayden – Journal of Brain Health
- Optimism in Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Dr Jeff Cummings – University of Nevada (UNLV)
Prof Jeff Cummings
University of Nevada
Scottish Brain Sciences
Anna Borthwick
Scottish Brain Sciences
Scottish Brain Sciences
Kate Hayden
Journal of Brain Health
Scottish Brain SciencesMonday 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
University of Oxford
Scottish Brain Sciences
Prof Wiesje van der Flier
Alzheimer Nederland
Scottish Brain Sciences
Seamus Small
Managing Director, Linus Health
Scottish Brain Sciences
Dominic Trepel
Trinity College Dublin
Scottish Brain SciencesMonday 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
Imperial College London
Scottish Brain Sciences
Prof Charlotte Warren-Gash
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Scottish Brain SciencesTuesday 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
University of Aberdeen
Scottish Brain Sciences
Dr Oliver Shannon
Newcastle University
Scottish Brain Sciences
Dr Sam Danso
The University of Sunderland
Scottish Brain Sciences
Dr Chi Udeh-Momoh
Wake Forest University
Scottish Brain Sciences
Prof Emma Stevenson
Newcastle University
Scottish Brain SciencesTuesday 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
University of Edinburgh
Scottish Brain Sciences
Dr Marialena Dounavi
University of Cambridge
Scottish Brain Sciences
Professor Frederik Barkhof
UCL
Scottish Brain Sciences
Prof Terry Quinn
University of Glasgow
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
Loughborough University
Scottish Brain Sciences
Dr Francesca Farina
University of Chicago
Scottish Brain Sciences
Dr Natalie Jenkins
Mount Sinai
Scottish Brain Sciences
Dr James Robson
former Scottish Rugby Union CMO
Scottish Brain Sciences
Dr Sarah Gregory
Scottish Brain Sciences
Scottish Brain SciencesTuesday 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
Newcastle University
Scottish Brain Sciences
Prof Craig Ritchie, MBChB, PhD
Scottish Brain Sciences/University of St Andrews
Scottish Brain Sciences
Prof John Harrison, PhD
Amsterdam UMC
Scottish Brain SciencesDownload: IBHC 2026 – Confirmed programme
Conference sponsors and partners
Thank you to our sponsors and partners for supporting the International Brain Health Conference 2026
Conference contact
For any questions about the conference, email events@brainsciences.scot
