Researchers, clinicians, patients and advocates from around the world gathered last week at Ohio University for the 2nd Annual AlzPI and PCOM Symposium, the one-day hybrid event aimed at sharing interdisciplinary research on the role of infections and the microbiome—in Alzheimer's disease, related dementias, and other neurological and psychiatric diseases.
The annual conference highlighted emerging evidence connecting infection and inflammation to neurodegeneration and called for stronger collaboration across researchers in neurology, psychiatry, immunology, microbiology and infectious disease.
More than 20 experts presented research exploring how microbial and immune factors contribute to disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, PANDAS/PANS, Lyme disease, long COVID and multiple sclerosis. Among the speakers was Brian Balin, PhD, Director of the Center for Chronic Disorders of Aging at PCOM, who discussed his three decades of research on microbial involvement in Alzheimer's disease.
Other speakers included patients and caregivers, including Nikki Schultek, Co-Founder and Executive Director of AlzPI and Founding Director of the PCOM Pathobiome Research Center, who emphasized patient-centered collaboration, alongside others sharing personal stories that underscored the human impact of infection-associated brain disorders.
“This year's meeting reaffirmed a growing consensus—that understanding infection-associated brain disorders requires not just advanced science, but empathy, collaboration and the courage to reimagine the framework of how brain health itself is evaluated and maintained,” shared Schultek when reflecting on the day’s successes.
The symposium closed with a unifying call to dismantle disciplinary silos and adopt a shared biological lens across neurological and psychiatric disease. Both Dr. Balin and Schultek are confident that meetings such as these will continue to foster connection and collaboration, ultimately creating more patient-accessible therapies.
Established in 1899, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) has trained thousands of highly competent, caring physicians, health practitioners and behavioral scientists who practice a “whole person” approach to care—treating people, not just symptoms. PCOM, a private, not-for-profit accredited institution of higher education, operates three campuses (PCOM, PCOM Georgia and PCOM South Georgia) and offers doctoral degrees in clinical psychology, educational psychology, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, and school psychology. The college also offers graduate degrees in applied behavior analysis, applied positive psychology, biomedical sciences, forensic medicine, medical laboratory science, mental health counseling, physician assistant studies, and school psychology. PCOM students learn the importance of health promotion, research, education and service to the community. Through its community-based Healthcare Centers, PCOM provides care to medically underserved populations. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 215-871-6100.
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Gabrielle DePietro
Associate Director, News and Media Relations
Office of Marketing and Communications
Email: gabrielde2@pcom.edu
Office: 215-871-6304
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