Tick Boot Camp

Episode 510: LIVE from ILADS: Nikki Schultek - Uncovering the Infection Connection to Alzheimer’s

18 days ago

Key Takeaways:

  • Nikki Schultek, Executive Director of the Alzheimer Pathobiome Initiative, shares groundbreaking research at the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) Conference.
  • The initiative is investigating the connection between infections—such as Lyme disease, Epstein-Barr virus, and long COVID—and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.
  • ILADS provides a crucial platform for researchers to collaborate, break down silos, and drive innovation in chronic illness research.
  • A recent symposium brought together experts across multiple disciplines to explore microbial drivers of brain diseases.
  • The team has submitted a major grant proposal to advance research on infectious and microbiome influences on Alzheimer’s.
  • A newly published review article in the Journal of Infectious Diseases highlights key findings and perspectives from the initiative.
  • Insights into host vulnerabilities, including the role of the ApoE4 gene, are shaping a deeper understanding of individual susceptibility to neurodegenerative conditions.
  • The discussion underscores systemic healthcare challenges in addressing chronic, complex diseases and the urgent need for research-driven changes in medical practice.

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