Close to 3000 researchers and scientists convened in Vienna, Austria for the International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease (ICAD) this month. The meetings, workshops, and presentation highlighted the latest research results in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease and focused on new diagnostic tools, prevention methods and treatment options.

Sponsored by National Alzheimer’s Association, the conference brings together the best and brightest in the field. For a full listing of news releases and research findings announced this year, go to www.alz.org/icad.

Noting the expected increase in the number of people living with Alzheimer’s disease, the Alzheimer’s Association has recently increased the frequency of the meeting from every other year, to an annual meeting. Currently, over 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease. If a preventative treatment or a cure is not found by 2050, that number is expected to exceed 15 million creating a massive public health crisis.

While people with Alzheimer’s disease, their family members, and friend wait for answers about this disease, the change to an annual meeting is timely giving researches and scientists more time for collaboration as they try to understand Alzheimer’s disease, its prevention, treatment and ultimate cure.