Insights from AAIC 2026 for the Familial Alzheimer's Disease Community

In this webinar, Lindsay, founder of Youngtimers, walks through the Alzheimer's research that matters most to familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD) families: the first meaningful tau drug results, blood tests closing in on the spinal tap, prevention trials starting earlier, and the places where the headlines are moving faster than the evidence. Two events, one week in London. On Saturday, July 11, the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer's Disease Family Conference filled a lecture hall at University College London under the theme "Rising Together." The Alzheimer's Association International Conference followed from July 12 to 15, drawing more than 11,000 attendees and over 7,800 poster and oral presentations. This session turns four days of data into the findings that change something for the FAD community, so no one has to reconstruct the science from press releases and conference chatter. CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome and what this session covers 00:30 The 2026 DIAD Family Conference in London 03:00 Inside AAIC, and the AAIC for All program 05:10 Tau takes its turn: the E2814 results 09:35 diranersen, Biogen's tau drug, beyond the headlines 14:30 Blood tests close in on the spinal tap 18:55 Leqembi in everyday practice, and what drives ARIA risk 21:30 Trontinemab and crossing the blood-brain barrier 23:00 Prevention moves earlier 24:50 What helps now, starting with blood pressure 26:00 Q&A: does lowering tau slow memory decline 29:52 What new delivery methods mean for people already in trials 31:37 GLP-1 questions and the new prevention funding 32:14 DIAN-TU enrollment timelines 32:56 DIAN-TU ART, two years in 33:55 AAIC 2027 in Chicago, and the E2814 findings explained 35:13 Post-lumbar puncture syndrome 36:26 ARIA rates in younger carriers 37:12 With tau in the spotlight, is amyloid still a target 37:58 Leqembi and Kisunla compared for prevention 38:49 What is coming next, and how to stay informed WHAT THIS SESSION COVERS Why tau moved to the center of the field after decades of amyloid E2814 in DIAD participants: an 89% drop in a spinal fluid tau marker and a 90% drop in blood after nine months MTBR tau 243, a form of tau largely absent in healthy participants, and where it lands on the biomarker timeline Diranersen, Biogen's tau antisense oligonucleotide, including the missed primary endpoint and seven lumbar punctures over 76 weeks PrecivityAD2, which moved correct diagnoses by family doctors from 65 in 100 to 93 in 100 p-tau217 as a risk marker, and why a high number is not a verdict Leqembi (lecanemab) outside of a trial: 76% holding steady at 17 months, 6% with ARIA-E, and the subcutaneous starting dose approved July 13 What lowers ARIA risk before treatment begins, from blood pressure and salt intake to slower dose ramps and MRI scanner strength trontinemab, engineered to ride across the blood-brain barrier at a lower dose, with two cases of ARIA-E across 126 people Prevention starting earlier: the DIAN-TU Primary Prevention trial, the Alzheimer's Association's $100 million GLP-1 and lifestyle study, and the Latin American FINGERS results on coaching and peer support After the presentation, Lindsay takes questions from the community on topics like inflammation as a possible trigger for tau, post-lumbar puncture syndrome, and why people already enrolled in trials cannot switch to the newer injections and blood draws. ABOUT YOUNGTIMERS Youngtimers is the only US nonprofit dedicated to families facing familial Alzheimer's disease, an inherited form caused by mutations on the PSEN1, PSEN2, and APP genes that typically brings symptoms in a person's 30s, 40s, or 50s. Founded by and for people from familieswith FAD, Youngtimers offers support groups, peer-to-peer matching, plain-language guides, research updates, and advocacy. STAY CONNECTED Monthly newsletter: https://www.youngtimers.org/newsletter Events and workshops: https://www.youngtimers.org/events Support groups: https://www.youngtimers.org/support-g... Guides and resources: https://www.youngtimers.org/familial-... Donate: https://www.youngtimers.org/donate Questions are welcome at info@youngtimers.org, by call or text at 1-832-291-2809, or on WhatsApp at 832-291-2809. This video is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Anyone with medical concerns should talk with a qualified healthcare provider. Youngtimers does not provide medical care. #FamilialAlzheimers #AAIC2026 #AlzheimersResearch #DIAD #ClinicalTrials #RareDisease