H.M. Drottningens tal vid Goodes Prize Science Day, Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation

It is a true pleasure to be here today with you to open this important scientific event.

I would like to extend my gratitude to the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) for organising the Science Day, in collaboration with Professor Kivipelto’s team at Karolinska Institutet and the FINGERS Brain Health Institute.

Sweden is honoured to host this gathering as we celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Melvin R. Goodes Prize and recognise the outstanding accomplishments of the remarkable scientists who have received this prestigious award.

It is wonderful to see so many leading researchers from around the world come together to discuss the latest breakthroughs in the field. I sincerely hope that this meeting will inspire further innovation and global collaboration in our efforts to find more effective ways to prevent and treat Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

Thanks to greater prosperity and advances in medicine, people are now living longer than before - a positive development for all of us. However, this increased longevity has also led to a sharp rise in the number of people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Advanced age remains the primary risk factor for dementia, making it especially valuable that the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation is placing significant emphasis on the ‘biology of aging’.

This focus is essential for identifying new ways to prevent and treat these diseases. In the fight against dementia, there are many reasons to prioritise preventive measures. Any efforts to prevent or delay the onset of dementia can have a significant impact on individuals and the society. In Sweden, we have seen a great deal of innovation in this field.

The FINGER model, developed by Professor Kivipelto and her team, has gained global recognition and now includes trials that combine lifestyle interventions with pharmacological treatments, thanks to the support of the ADDF. It is encouraging to see progress in the development of new treatments, and continued support for clinical trials is crucial to this advancement.

New advancements in early detection and diagnosis will be a key focus during this science day. The introduction of new blood-based biomarkers promises to significantly enhance early detection and treatment, potentially transforming both research and patient care. I am delighted to be here for this special occasion, as Professor Henrik Zetterberg from Gothenburg, Sweden, receives the 10th Goodes Prize for his groundbreaking work in this field. Warm congratulations to him on this well-deserved recognition.

It is wonderful to see all the previous Goodes Prize winners gathered here as well. Each of these scientists represents the very best minds in Alzheimer’s research. By fostering communication and exchanging ideas across borders, programmes and research areas, they are paving the way toward the future of dementia prevention and treatment.

As everyone here knows, dementia does not discriminate – it can affect anyone, no matter where they are from – so global collaboration among scientists is essential to deliver effective solutions to patients.

While there are many opportunities ahead, there are also several challenges. I am deeply grateful for the work you are all doing to advance this critical field. I have seen firsthand the profound impact of Alzheimer’s disease. Questions related to dementia research and care have been close to my heart for many years. This commitment inspired me to establish the Silviahemmet foundation in 1996, with a mission to provide education in dementia care, and to offer tailored care options focusing on enhancing quality of life.

Over the years I have had the pleasure of attending several Alzheimer’s conferences here at Karolinska, and I look forward to hosting the eleventh Queen Silvia Nursing Award Grand Ceremony later this week.

I firmly believe that by working together and sharing knowledge, we can build a dementia-friendly society and ensure that research findings are translated into real-world applications. Alzheimer’s disease challenges us to think creatively and act collectively.

Once again, I extend my deepest gratitude to the ADDF for organising this vital event together with Karolinska Institutet and the FINGERS Brain Health Institute. Thank you all for being here and for your dedication and work in this crucial field.

I wish you a productive and inspiring conference, and a wonderful stay in Stockholm!