Session 01: Vascular Dementia: Pathophysiology, Risk Factors and Disease Mechanisms
This session will explore the biological, vascular, and neurological mechanisms involved in vascular dementia. Topics will include cerebral small vessel disease, hypertension, diabetes, atherosclerosis, stroke, cerebral ischemia, vascular inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, blood–brain barrier disruption, and white matter injury. Discussions will also examine the interaction between vascular pathology and neurodegenerative processes and identify potential targets for early intervention and prevention.
Session 02: Cerebral Small Vessel Disease and Cognitive Impairment
This session will focus on cerebral small vessel disease as a major contributor to vascular cognitive impairment and dementia. Presentations will address white matter hyperintensities, lacunar infarctions, cerebral microbleeds, enlarged perivascular spaces, vascular lesions, and their relationship with cognitive decline. Emerging imaging techniques and strategies for detecting early cerebrovascular damage will also be discussed.
Session 03: Stroke, Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Dementia
This session will examine the relationship between stroke and subsequent cognitive impairment. Topics will include post-stroke dementia, recurrent stroke, strategic infarctions, silent cerebrovascular lesions, cognitive rehabilitation, prevention of secondary vascular events, and clinical approaches for identifying patients at increased risk of long-term cognitive decline.
Session 04: Neurodegenerative Diseases and Mixed Dementia
This session will explore the overlap between vascular dementia and major neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia. Discussions will focus on mixed pathologies, shared disease mechanisms, clinical differentiation, biomarkers, and the challenges involved in diagnosing patients with multiple underlying causes of cognitive impairment.
Session 05: Alzheimer’s Disease and Vascular Contributions
This session will investigate the complex interaction between vascular disease and Alzheimer’s pathology. Topics will include amyloid deposition, tau pathology, cerebral blood flow, vascular dysfunction, blood–brain barrier changes, cardiovascular risk factors, and mixed Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia. The session will also consider opportunities for vascular risk reduction to delay cognitive decline.
Session 06: Biomarkers and Early Diagnosis of Dementia
This session will highlight advances in biomarkers for detecting vascular and neurodegenerative disorders at earlier stages. Discussions will include blood-based biomarkers, cerebrospinal fluid markers, neuroimaging biomarkers, inflammatory markers, genetic indicators, and digital assessment tools. Emphasis will be placed on improving diagnostic accuracy and identifying individuals at risk before significant cognitive deterioration occurs.
Session 07: Neuroimaging in Vascular Dementia and Neurodegeneration
This session will explore the growing role of neuroimaging in dementia research and clinical practice. Topics will include MRI, CT, diffusion imaging, susceptibility-weighted imaging, PET, functional imaging, vascular imaging, and advanced quantitative techniques. Presentations will examine how imaging can support diagnosis, disease monitoring, prognosis, and differentiation between vascular and neurodegenerative pathology.
Session 08: Genetics, Epigenetics and Molecular Mechanisms
This session will examine genetic and molecular factors associated with vascular dementia and neurodegenerative diseases. Topics will include genetic susceptibility, hereditary vascular disorders, epigenetic regulation, gene–environment interactions, molecular signaling pathways, inflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and mechanisms that contribute to neuronal and vascular injury.
Session 09: Prevention and Management of Vascular Dementia
This session will focus on strategies for preventing or slowing vascular cognitive decline. Discussions will cover blood pressure control, diabetes management, lipid management, smoking cessation, physical activity, nutrition, cardiovascular health, stroke prevention, and lifestyle modification. Evidence-based approaches for reducing modifiable dementia risk factors will be explored.
Session 10: Therapeutic Approaches and Emerging Treatments
This session will discuss current and emerging therapeutic strategies for vascular dementia and neurodegenerative disorders. Topics will include pharmacological interventions, vascular risk management, neuroprotective approaches, anti-inflammatory strategies, cognitive therapies, rehabilitation, and investigational treatments. The session will also address challenges in developing effective disease-modifying therapies.
Session 11: Neuroinflammation, Oxidative Stress and Brain Aging
This session will explore the role of chronic inflammation and oxidative stress in vascular and neurodegenerative brain disorders. Presentations will examine microglial activation, inflammatory signaling, oxidative damage, endothelial dysfunction, mitochondrial abnormalities, and age-related changes in brain tissue. Potential therapeutic targets for protecting neurons and vascular structures will also be discussed.
Session 12: Cognitive Assessment, Memory and Behavioral Disorders
This session will address clinical approaches to evaluating cognitive and behavioral changes associated with dementia. Topics will include memory impairment, executive dysfunction, attention, language difficulties, visuospatial problems, mood changes, behavioral symptoms, neuropsychological testing, and digital cognitive assessment. Strategies for early recognition and monitoring of disease progression will be highlighted.
Session 13: Dementia in Aging and Geriatric Neurology
This session will focus on dementia within the context of healthy and pathological aging. Discussions will cover age-related cognitive changes, frailty, multimorbidity, polypharmacy, functional decline, geriatric assessment, and personalized care. The session will emphasize multidisciplinary approaches to improving quality of life among older adults living with dementia.
Session 14: Neurorehabilitation and Cognitive Rehabilitation
This session will explore rehabilitation strategies for patients experiencing cognitive and neurological impairment following stroke or progressive neurodegenerative disease. Topics will include cognitive training, physical rehabilitation, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, assistive technologies, functional recovery, and personalized rehabilitation programs designed to maintain independence.
Session 15: Nutrition, Lifestyle and Brain Health
This session will examine the influence of nutrition and lifestyle on vascular health, brain aging, and dementia risk. Presentations will address healthy dietary patterns, physical activity, obesity, metabolic health, sleep, stress management, smoking, and other modifiable lifestyle factors. The role of preventive strategies in maintaining cognitive and cardiovascular health will be discussed.
Session 16: Digital Health, Artificial Intelligence and Dementia Care
This session will explore emerging technologies transforming dementia research, diagnosis, monitoring, and care. Topics will include artificial intelligence, machine learning, digital biomarkers, wearable devices, remote monitoring, electronic cognitive assessments, telemedicine, and predictive analytics. Discussions will consider how technology can support personalized and earlier detection of cognitive decline.
Session 17: Clinical Trials and Drug Development
This session will provide insights into the development and evaluation of new therapies for vascular dementia and neurodegenerative diseases. Topics will include clinical trial design, patient selection, biomarkers, outcome measures, safety assessment, precision medicine, regulatory challenges, and lessons from recent therapeutic trials. Emerging opportunities for disease-modifying interventions will also be considered.
Session 18: Dementia Care, Patients, Caregivers and Quality of Life
This session will address the broader social and clinical impact of dementia on patients, families, caregivers, and healthcare systems. Discussions will include person-centered care, caregiver support, communication, psychosocial interventions, independence, quality of life, ethical considerations, and long-term care planning. The session will emphasize holistic approaches to dementia management.
Session 19: Global Challenges and Future Directions in Dementia Research
This session will examine the global burden of vascular dementia and neurodegenerative diseases and the challenges faced by healthcare systems worldwide. Topics will include disparities in diagnosis and treatment, access to neurological care, public health strategies, research priorities, international collaboration, emerging technologies, and opportunities for improving dementia prevention and management globally.
Session 20: Innovations, Breakthroughs and the Future of Neurodegenerative Disease Research