Stop Alzheimer’s together before the start

Last week, the starting shot was given for the national project ABOARD (A personalized medicine approach for Alzheimer’s disease), a collaboration of more than thirty partners to stop Alzheimer’s disease.

ABOARD is the first research project to be launched as part of the National Dementia Strategy 2021-2030 of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. It also gives substance to Health ~ Holland’s Knowledge and Innovation Agenda 2020-2023, in which public and private partners in Mission IV work to improve the quality of life for people with dementia.

ABOARD’s goal is to prepare for a future where we stop Alzheimer’s before it starts. Among other things, by enabling improved diagnostics, developing tailor-made risk profiles and focusing on prevention by increasing awareness of dementia and brain health.

In the Netherlands, nearly 300,000 people have dementia and approximately 20,000 people are added each year. It is the most common cause of death in the Netherlands and therefore one of the greatest challenges of this century. Dementia is largely caused by Alzheimer’s disease. A disease for which unfortunately there is no cure yet. To reduce the increase in the number of people with dementia, ABOARD focuses on the pre-dementia phase.

Prevention is key

Wiesje van der Flier, project leader of ABOARD and scientific director of Alzheimercentrum Amsterdam: “Research has shown that Alzheimer’s develops over a period of twenty to thirty years. And there lies the key. Intervene before the disease manifests itself. We need to reach people at risk of getting the disease. And actually we all are those people. That is why we want to increase awareness of Alzheimer’s among a large audience. We are also taking the necessary steps towards a future in which tailor-made treatment is possible. Sharing knowledge about how to strengthen your brain health and support people with Alzheimer’s is also part of this project. Much is still needed to prepare the Netherlands for a future with tailor-made treatment. “

Predict disease course

Researchers at ABOARD will develop tests to quickly and accurately diagnose Alzheimer’s. These tests must be able to recognize the first brain changes, but also reveal differences between patients. For example, individual Alzheimer’s risk profiles can be developed to predict the personal course of the disease.

Tailor-made treatment

After being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, clinicians are often asked: “What can I do myself to slow down the disease process?” Van der Flier: “Prevention by adjusting lifestyle can be useful, but lifestyle interventions are not yet offered in the memory clinics. At the same time, people are working hard on medicines. But is the Dutch healthcare system ready for this? An important point of attention is that there is a personalized approach and that we involve the patient in all aspects of his / her disease and its treatment. Because no one is the same. ”

Stop Alzheimer’s together before the start

More than thirty partners join forces in the ABOARD project, including the five Dutch Alzheimer Centers and Alzheimer Nederland. Both public and private parties from the entire knowledge chain work together: from universities to healthcare and knowledge institutions, social organizations and companies.

The Jeroen Bosch hospital, ‘s-Hertogenbosch, is a partner in ABOARD. Astrid van Strien, clinical geriatrician at the Jeroen Bosch hospital: “The memory center of the Jeroen Bosch hospital is one of the largest in the Netherlands. We work together in a team where we learn with, from and about each other. We work together in a network, where we are the expertise center of cognition in the region and beyond. In this way we contribute to the mission of ABOARD, together to stop Alzheimer’s before it starts.

Knowing more?

An overview of all partners and more information about ABOARD can be found at www.aboard-project.nl.
An ABOARD animation has also been made. Scan this QR code to view the animation.

ABOARD is the first research project to be launched as part of the National Dementia Strategy 2021-2030 of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. It fulfills an important part of Mission IV: By 2030, the quality of life of people with dementia will have increased by 25%. Mission IV is one of the five missions drawn up for the social theme of health and care and is described in Health ~ Holland’s Knowledge and Innovation Agenda 2020-2023.

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