WELCOME MESSAGE
Christopher Chen
President
Asian Society Against Dementia
Welcome Message from the President of the Asian Society Against Dementia (ASAD)
On behalf of the Executive Committee and Advisors of the Asian Society Against Dementia, I warmly invite you to join us for the 20th International Conference of ASAD which is co-organised with the Dementia Society of the Philippines, in Manila from 14th to 16th October 2026.
The objectives of ASAD remain to promote and encourage the advancement of scientific knowledge through research and practice in all aspects of dementia, as well as the exchange and dissemination of this knowledge and expertise throughout Asia. This has been achieved in annual conferences which have been held in different parts of Asia since the first meeting in Chennai in 2007. It wonderful to return to the Philippines as the 2013 conference was held in Cebu.
Dramatic advances in biomarker-based diagnostics, increasing approval and implementation of disease modifying treatments for early Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and clinical development of other therapies for AD necessitate a significant paradigm shift in the early detection, diagnosis and management of AD, hence a new model of care will be required. Education and training will be the cornerstone for the establishment of new pathways of care for the identification of patients with early AD and delivery of anti-amyloid therapies in a safe and efficient manner to eligible patients. Moreover, there is growing awareness that cerebrovascular disease is under-recognised as a contributor to cognitive impairment and dementia, for which novel interventions including multiple lifestyle changes are being investigated. These and many other topics will be part of this exciting conference and I hope that we can meet together soon in Manila!
Delfin Darwin A. Dasig, MD, FPNA
President
Dementia Society of the Philippines
Welcome Message from the President of the Dementia Society of the Philippines (DSP)
Dear ASAD Family, Colleagues and Friends:
This year the Asian Society Against Dementia (ASAD) is coming back “home” to Manila, 20 years after its founding here in 2006. And so it is with honor, pleasure and sentiment that we welcome you as we host the 20th International Congress of ASAD on October 14 to 16 in Makati Shangri-la Hotel, in its birthplace, the City of Makati in Metropolitan Manila.
The theme for this year’s convention is”Rooted in Culture, Driven by Science: Asian Approach to Compassionate Care”. This reflects the unique crossroads in Dementia care that we are experiencing here and now in Asia: with breakthroughs in disease-modifying treatments and diagnostic biomarkers, but “rooted” in the lived experiences of patients and families. We hope to highlight our Asian perspective and approach where advances in science remain intricately woven with our deeply personal “culture” of care, with its enduring filial piety and respect for our elders.
Starting with focused workshops on Oct 14 and plenary sessions on Oct 15-16, we will learn from grounded discussions on varied topics including the application of scientific advances in our diverse ecosystem of dementia care, changing epidemiology, sociocultural dynamics of care, prevention strategies and dementia plans that are apropos in our region. Interspersed will be unique sessions that will surely engage our senses, including “Indak” our Filipino version of the multimodal approach and Therapeutic Drumming.
In line with our theme, we hope to encourage submission of numerous research work that truly embodies ASAD’s vision of continuously pushing the frontiers of science cum culture that will promote the well-being of persons with dementia.
We hope to permeate this annual gathering with our characteristic Asian hospitality and the Filipino “fiesta” spirit that will further foster camaraderie and fun among colleagues and friends.
On behalf of the Dementia Society of the Philippines, I look forward to welcoming you all here in Manila to the 2026 International Congress of ASAD.
Mabuhay!
PreCon Topics
October 14, 2026
Workshop 1: (08:00am – 02:00pm)
This workshop Determining Eligibility for Lecanemab Treatment and Recognizing ARIA, presented in collaboration with Hi-Eisai and NEUROPHET, explores the clinical application of lecanemab in the management of Alzheimer’s disease. Emphasis will be placed on patient selection criteria, therapeutic eligibility, and the use of biomarkers pre-treatment, alongside the detection of amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA). Designed for clinicians, psychologists, theragnosticians, clinical radiologists, and allied health professionals, the session highlights the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration in ensuring safe and effective treatment. Participants will gain practical insights into diagnostic protocols, imaging surveillance, and risk mitigation strategies, equipping them to translate emerging evidence into real-world practice.
Workshop 2: (02:30pm – 05:00pm)
This workshop Dance for Your Brain: Improving Neurocognition through Dance and Kinesthetics (INDAK), organized in collaboration with the Institute for Dementia Care Asia (IDCA), explores the therapeutic potential of dance and kinesthetic movement in enhancing neurocognitive function. This session highlights the integration of creative movement, music and rhythm, and embodied practice as an innovative approach to maintaining cognitive function in mild cognitive impairment. Recommended for individuals with an interest in neurocognition, allied health, psychology, and community-based interventions, the workshop emphasizes both scientific foundations and practical applications. Participants will experience hands-on intervention that harnesses dance and kinesthetics to promote brain health, resilience, and overall well-being.
Program at a Glance
Conference Topics
- Simeon Marasigan Memorial Lecture
BEAT AD: Brain Health Evaluation and Tailor-made measures for Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease
| Session 1: Updates on the Epidemiology of Dementia and the ASIAN COSMIC |
| New Data on Preclinical Dementia. Prognosis and Risk Factors |
| COSMIC: Cohort Studies of Memory in an International Consortium |
| Social determinants and cognitive impairment in older populations |
| MMAP: Marikina Memory and Aging Project |
| Neuroprotective Model for Healthy Longevity among Malaysian Older Adults |
| Session 2: Disease Modifying Therapies in Alzheimer’s Disease |
| Towards Precision Medicine for Alzheimer’s Disease : Progress in Diagnostics and Therapeutics |
| Proposed Regional Framework on ARIA detection and management |
| Transcriptomic and Proteomic Changes Upon Treatment with Lecanemab in Patients with Early Alzheimer’s Disease |
| Session 3: Innovative Approach to Cognitive Decline: Technology and Biomarkers |
| Digital health in the management of dementia from detection to intervention |
| Computerized Cognitive Assessment (CoCOA) with a new concept |
| Mismatch problem in cognitive decline subjective complaints to objective measurements |
| Spatial Navigation in Alzheimer’s Disease: plasma biomarker, neuroimaging and virtual reality |
| Session 4: Integrative Rehabilitation and Non-Pharmacological Intervention |
| Integrative Rehabiliation of MCI and Dementia |
| Neuromodulation for MCI and Dementia |
| The Integrated Rehabilitation Model |
| Caregiver Burden Associated with Getting Lost Incidents in People with Alzheimer’s Disease |
| From Mood Disorder to Neurocognitive Impairment: Exploring Neural Connectivity, Metabolic Inflammation, and Non-pharmacological Intervention of dementia |
| Session 5: The WorldWide Fingers – Dementia Risk Reduction via multidomain interventions: from trials to implementation |
| The WorldWide Fingers |
| Filipino Multicomponent Intervention to Maintain Cognitive Performance in High-Risk Population (FINOMAIN) |
| Implementation of multidomain intervention to reduce risk of dementia among Malaysian older adults (My-AGELESS) |
| South Korean study to prevent the progression of frailty and aging-related diseases using a digital multidomain intervention (SUPERAGING) |
| Cognitive resilience and prevention of dementia |
| Session 6: Blood Biomarkers in Alzheimer’s: Clinical Experience and Future Horizon |
| Blood Biomarker in the Clinics: SEA Experience |
| Diagnostic Accuracy of Plasma AB42, p-tau181, and MoCA score as Composite Index for AD in Resource-Limited Settings |
| Blood Biomarkers in Alzheimer’s Disease: Past Present and What’s Next |
| Blood biomarkers for the early diagnosis of AD: Collaboration of Australia, Korea and Taiwan |
| Session 7: Neuroimaging Biomarkers and Building a Multidimensional Framework for Risk Profiling |
| Brain mapping and Brain neurodegenerative diseases |
| Altered Functional Networks in Blood Biomarker–Defined Preclinical AD |
| Experiences from utility of Thai Guideline for Nuclear Medicine Investigations of Neurocognitive Disorders- PETS in dementia |
| A Clinically Feasible Framework to Estimate Tau Pathology in the Alzheimer’s Disease Spectrum |
| Multi-Dimensional Risk Profiling of Alzheimer’s Disease: Integrating Genetic, Environmental, and Neuroimaging Insights |
| Session 8: Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Dementia: From Risk Reduction to Novel Therapies |
| Dementia risk reduction for all: considerations for population based versus high risk group approaches |
| Ageing in Asia: Need for Reliable Quantification Tools |
| Delphi Consensus on Physical Exercise and Lifestyle interventions for the Management of Early Cognitive Decline and Neurocognitive Disorders – Asian Perspectives |
| Unraveling Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD): Longitudinal Trends and Evidence-Based Management for Enhancing Quality of Life |
| AR1001, a New AD Drug Beyond Amyloid and Tau (Global Phase 3) |
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