Synapsis Forum 2023: Patient Perspective

Very impressive and touching - these were the words used by one of the participants to describe the undisputed highlight of this year's Synapsis Forum, which took place in Gerzensee on 6 and 7 November 2023: More than 80 participants listened attentively when Christian Inniger and his wife talked about their experiences, hopes and emotions in connection with his illness. Christian was diagnosed with Alzheimer's at the age of 56. The way the couple supports each other and deals with the challenges of the disease was truly inspiring. The talk was particularly appreciated by basic researchers in order to gain a deeper insight into the pathology, and the audience agreed that the patient perspective must become an integral part of research activities. 
The presentation of projects supported by the Synapsis Foundation were complemented by two invited lectures. Prof Sandrine Humbert from Sorbonne University discussed abnormal brain development as a trigger for neurodegeneration in later life. Prof Bogdan Draganski spoke about meaningful data for research and treatment in the field of dementia. Lively discussions during the poster session on the evening of the first day and a networking afternoon on the second day rounded off the programme.  
All in all, it was another successful scientific event that contributed to knowledge exchange and networking of researchers from different institutions and disciplines. And we have already received reports that new research collaborations have been established at the Synapsis Forum 2023. Mission accomplished! 
We look forward to welcoming our growing community of dementia researchers back to Gerzensee on 18 and 19 November 2024.

Synapsis Forum 2022: 5th anniversary

The Synapsis Forum 2022, which took place in Gerzensee on 21 and 22 November 2022, provided the research community a platform for scientific knowledge exchange and networking. With more than 70 participants the event was fully booked. Prof. Pieter Jelle Visser, VU Amsterdam opened the meeting with a lecture on the molecular epidemiology of Alzheimer's disease. The lecture by Prof. Claudio Bassetti, University Bern on the second day of the event gave an i the bidirectional relationship between sleep and dementia. Presentations of various research projects supported by the Synapsis Foundation and workshops complemented the program. As every year, the poster session on the evening of the first day was the true highlight. The prize for the best poster presentation went to Dr. Marc Züst from the University of Bern.

Synapsis Forum 2021: Reunion

On November 8, after a two-year break, the time had finally come again: researchers supported by the Synapsis Foundation met in Gerzensee for a scientific meeting. After the 2020 event had to be held online due to the pandemic, all participants were very much looking forward to meeting in person. 

Over seventy participants shared the latest findings from their research projects and also established new relationships. The topics of the presentations ranged from research into new biomarkers for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease to the use of exergames to improve cognitive skills. It was in particular this interdisciplinarity that made the event interesting. The undisputed highlight of the event was the poster session on the first evening. Young researchers were given the opportunity to discuss their research projects with other participants in an informal atmosphere.  
" I am impressed by the high quality of the research," said a delighted Mathias Jucker, member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Synapsis Foundation. "It shows that we are selecting the right projects for funding." 

The Synapsis Foundation team is pleased that the event successfully supported the networking of Alzheimer's researchers in Switzerland! 

Synapsis Forum 2020: Virtual coffee break

As the annual conference in Gerzensee had to be cancelled due to the pandemic, the Synapsis Foundation organized an online event on November 24, 2020. Over 60 participants attended presentations of current research and took the opportunity for network during a virtual coffee break.

Synapsis Forum 2019 : Scientific exchange on a high level 

On November 25 and 26, 2019, the "Synapsis Forum 2019" took place in Gerzensee near Bern. On the occasion of this two-day event, more than 50 supported researchers met for knowledge exchange and networking. Presentation of scientific projects and a poster session provided the framework for lively discussions. 

Synapsis Forum 2018: Well connected into the future

For the first time, the "Synapsis Forum" took place on November 12 and 13, 2018 in Gerzensee near Bern. The Synapsis Foundation invited supported researchers to two days of scientific discussions and networking. Exciting scientific presentations, lively discussions and an entertaining event guaranteed intensive networking. Continuation is guaranteed