The focus of this event is to present the science of dementia to non-scientists, in order to build the understanding of the basic science of dementia. The event will be hosted by Dementia Research Network Ireland (DRNI) together with the Alzheimer Society of Ireland (ASI).
Dementia is an umbrella term for diseases of the brain with similar characteristics. There are numerous types of dementia and their symptoms, physiological expressions, and trajectory can be complex and specific and the science behind it dense and highly specialised. This conference will bring together the research community across the island of Ireland to explain the science of dementia to an audience who while perhaps living with dementia, or researching or working in the field of dementia, would like to learn more about the biological and scientific ‘nuts and bolts’ of dementia.
There are two target audiences for this national conference: the dementia research community, and people with dementia and their family/carers, across the island of Ireland. The dementia research community includes those involved in clinical, basic and social science research, both early career researchers and more established researchers. It also includes healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders such as policymakers.
The conference will allow these two target groups to hear experts in their field talk about key areas of understanding in a way that will inform and deepen the understanding of dementia, and also de-mystify some of the more complex areas. To ensure that the conference will be beneficial and appropriate to those attending, we will create an advisory group to advise us throughout the planning stages of the conference. This group will include persons with dementia, family carers, research representatives, healthcare professionals, and stakeholders such as the National Dementia Office.