Prion 2026 Verona Conference: Day One

An update from Catherine, our National Coordinator:

I am delighted to be attending Prion 2026: International Conference on Prion and Protein Misfolding Research on behalf of the CJD Support Network. The conference is taking place in Verona from 10 to 14 November. My aim is to provide a brief update each evening, with a fuller report to follow after the event.

This evening, attendees who had already arrived in Verona were able to register, and I was glad to collect my badge and conference bag. A welcome reception was held later in the evening, and it was a delight to meet representatives from family support groups around the world. So far, I have had the pleasure of speaking with representatives from Australia, the USA, Germany, Spain and Austria.

Many of these organisations are, like the CJD Support Network, members of the CJD International Support Alliance (CJDISA). One of the many benefits of membership is the opportunity to build connections and offer support across national borders. Families affected by prion diseases are often spread across continents, and local support can be invaluable. I was pleased to meet a representative from the Spanish Foundation for Prion Diseases, who recently provided tremendous assistance to a family with connections to both the UK and Spain.

One of my hopes in attending the conference is to build on the relationships previously established by Beth, our former National Coordinator, while also supporting those who are just beginning, or growing, support networks in their own countries.

One of our Trustees is also attending, alongside colleagues from the National Prion Clinic, so it has been lovely to see familiar faces among the many new ones.

Tomorrow, the learning begins, with a full day of keynote talks, flash presentations, poster sessions and more.

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