photographer: Annette d’Alfonso, Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy)
The 22nd Eibsee Meeting: A Milestone in Neurodegenerative Research
Nestled along the serene waters of Eibsee Lake in Grainau, Germany, and overlooked by the Zugspitze, the country’s tallest peak, the Eibsee Meeting is a unique conference that combines scientific rigor with the tranquility of nature. For over two decades, it has attracted neuroscientists and researchers from around the world, seeking both inspiration and scientific collaboration. This year’s meeting was notable not only for its high-profile speakers and topics but also for marking a significant transition. Prof. Christian Haass, the founding force behind the conference, hosted as main organizer for the final time. Though stepping down as the lead, Prof. Haass will continue his involvement alongside the new organizer, Prof. Jonas Neher, maintaining the spirit and excellence of this conference.
The Eibsee Meeting stands out in the scientific community for its interactive and unconventional format, beginning with a “Scientific Walk” around the lake. Participants share ideas and insights in a casual setting, with the surrounding alpine landscape fostering an atmosphere of open dialogue. The three-day event then unfolds into a series of keynote lectures, engaging presentations from emerging investigators, and in-depth discussions on pressing topics in neurodegeneration.
Exploring Cognitive Health in Centenarians: Dr. Henne Holstege’s Opening Talk
The conference commenced with an insightful presentation from Dr. Henne Holstege of the Amsterdam University Medical Center. Her work centers on a fascinating question: how do certain people reach the age of 100 and beyond, maintaining cognitive health without conceding to dementia or Alzheimer’s disease? Dr. Holstege shared findings from her groundbreaking “100-plus study,” which explores the genetics and brain health of centenarians who have avoided dementia. Her team’s research suggests these individuals possess certain genetic variations—such as lower rates of the APOE4 gene, which is linked to Alzheimer’s, and higher frequencies of the APOE2 gene, a variant that appears protective against cognitive decline.
Perhaps even more compelling was her observation that centenarians in her study displayed a remarkably low accumulation of proteins commonly associated with neurodegenerative diseases, such as tau, TDP-43, and beta-amyloid. These proteins, which can form aggregates or clumps in the brain, are known to contribute to Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia when they accumulate excessively. Dr. Holstege’s work could help identify the underlying mechanisms that allow some individuals to remain “resistant” to dementia—a discovery that holds promise for developing preventive treatments for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and frontotemporal dementia (FTD).
A Special Focus on Prions and Neurodegeneration
One of the highlights of this year’s Eibsee Meeting was a special session on prions, which delved into the puzzling role these misfolded proteins play in neurodegenerative diseases. Dr. John Collinge of University College London presented findings that expand our understanding of how prions might relate to Alzheimer’s disease (AD), raising thought-provoking questions about whether Alzheimer’s pathology could, in some cases, be transmissible.
Dr. Collinge began by discussing a series of experiments in marmosets—small primates that received injections of human brain tissue containing beta-amyloid deposits, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s. Although the marmosets didn’t exhibit cognitive decline or dementia symptoms, their brains showed significant beta-amyloid accumulation, suggesting that amyloid deposits could be introduced from external sources. This leads to the question: is Alzheimer’s pathology transmissible under certain conditions?
Dr. Collinge also referenced cases involving human growth hormone treatments from the 1980s, some of which were derived from human pituitary glands infected with Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD)—a neurodegenerative disease known to be transmissible via prions. Alarmingly, autopsies of patients who had received these contaminated treatments revealed Alzheimer’s-like amyloid deposits, suggesting the potential for similar transmission pathways in AD.
These findings raise significant ethical and medical questions about transmission risks associated with Alzheimer’s, such as through blood transfusions or other medical interventions. Although still speculative, Dr. Collinge’s work underscores the complexity of neurodegenerative diseases and the need for further investigation into how prion-like mechanisms may play a role in their progression.
Best paper award
The Hans and Ilse Breuer Foundation awarded this year’s “Best Paper Award for Young Scientists” to Stefanie Heumüller for her groundbreaking study, “Reactivated Endogenous Retroviruses Promote Protein Aggregate Spreading.” This marks the fourth year of the award. Heumüller’s research uncovers a link between reactivated endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) and the progression of neurodegenerative diseases
such as Alzheimer’s. Normally dormant remnants of ancient viral infections, ERVs become reactivated in these conditions and contribute to the spread of protein aggregates like Tau through prion-like mechanisms. Her team demonstrated that viral envelope proteins facilitate cell-to-cell transmission and the uptake of toxic aggregates, with extracellular vesicles acting as carriers to further accelerate disease progression.
The study suggests that targeting ERVs with antiviral therapies could slow protein misfolding, offering a promising new strategy to combat disease progression in Alzheimer’s and related disorders.
Congratulations once again to Stefanie for her outstanding work, and heartfelt thanks to the Hans and Ilse Breuer Foundation, SyNergy, and DZNE for their invaluable support in making this conference possible.
A Fond Farewell and Insightful Reflections
The meeting concluded with a deeply moving farewell lecture from Prof. Bart de Strooper of VIB-KU Leuven, Belgium. In addition to discussing his latest research on Alzheimer’s disease, Prof. de Strooper shared anecdotes from his career, reflecting on his friendly yet competitive relationship with Prof. Christian Haass. This rivalry, he explained, drove them both to push the boundaries of neurodegenerative research, ultimately benefiting the field as a whole.
Prof. de Strooper’s research focuses on understanding the transition from the formation of amyloid plaques—a key feature of Alzheimer’s pathology—to cellular dysfunction within the brain. Amyloid plaques have long been associated with Alzheimer’s disease, but recent studies suggest that the real damage may lie in how these plaques disrupt cellular communication and function. This shift in perspective is a significant one in Alzheimer’s research, as scientists move from simply targeting amyloid plaques to understanding their broader impact on cellular health and brain function.
The Legacy of the Eibsee Meeting
As the Eibsee Meeting moves forward under the leadership of Prof. Neher, the conference remains rooted in the vision of Prof. Haass, who established it as a forum for open scientific exchange. This annual event continues to draw top-tier neuroscientists and clinicians, fostering an environment where knowledge-sharing transcends traditional conference norms. Each year, new generations of researchers have the opportunity to present their work to a global audience, helping bridge the gap between established knowledge and emerging ideas.
This year’s Eibsee Meeting highlighted not only the strides made in understanding the molecular and genetic underpinnings of Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases but also the enduring dedication of scientists to unravel these mysteries. The themes of cognitive resilience in aging, the intriguing role of prions, and the profound impact of scientific camaraderie and competition all reflect the collective commitment to advancing our understanding of neurodegeneration. As the Eibsee Meeting continues, it will remain a testament to the importance of collaboration, the curiosity that drives scientific discovery, and the hope of finding ways to prevent or even cure neurodegenerative diseases in the future.
