ECR 2026 Launches Dedicated Alzheimer’s Day
The European Congress of Radiology (ECR) 2026 will host its first-ever Alzheimer’s Day on Thursday, March 5, 2026, in Vienna, Austria. The new program element reflects the growing importance of radiology in addressing Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, particularly as new disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) enter clinical practice. According to the organizers, the dedicated day is designed to strengthen understanding of imaging’s role across the full Alzheimer’s care pathway.
The initiative is co-sponsored by Eli Lilly and Company and Siemens Healthineers, and will feature a series of focused symposia covering diagnosis, treatment decision-making, and patient monitoring. Sessions will take place in Room K2, Level -2 of the Austria Center Vienna.
Imaging at the Center of Alzheimer’s Care Pathways
Alzheimer’s disease continues to affect millions of people worldwide and represents a growing burden on healthcare systems. With the emergence of new therapies aimed at slowing cognitive decline, there is increasing emphasis on early and accurate diagnosis, appropriate patient selection, and longitudinal monitoring—areas where radiology plays a central role.
Alzheimer’s Day at ECR 2026 will guide participants from a clinical overview of dementia to the fundamentals of Alzheimer’s imaging and more advanced diagnostic techniques. The program will also address amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA) in the context of new therapies and explore how prepared healthcare systems are for the changes associated with DMT adoption.
“On this inaugural Alzheimer’s Day, we spotlight radiology’s central role in a new era of care – detecting change earlier, strengthening diagnosis, and monitoring disease over time to support timely decisions for patients and families,” stated Minerva Becker, ECR 2026 Congress President. “Alzheimer’s Day is a strong example of how collaboration with industry can enrich and complement the ECR’s scientific programme. By aligning clinical expertise, technological innovation, and educational endeavours, the initiative advances the ESR’s mission to work closely with industry partners to deliver truly patient-centred radiology.”
Industry and Education Perspectives
Industry partners emphasized the importance of education and system readiness as diagnostic and therapeutic approaches evolve.
“Advances in Alzheimer’s disease diagnostics have the potential to reshape the clinical pathway, emphasising earlier, more accurate diagnoses and multidisciplinary collaboration,” said Anthony “Nino” Sireci, M.D., Senior Vice President of Clinical Biomarkers, Laboratories and Diagnostics at Eli Lilly and Company. “As a co-sponsor of Alzheimer’s Day at ECR 2026, Lilly hopes to accelerate education around evolving diagnostic approaches and strengthen health system readiness, so patients can benefit from timely and accurate diagnoses.”
“Education is fundamental in supporting clinicians to deliver the best possible care,” highlighted André Hartung, Head of Diagnostic Imaging at Siemens Healthineers. “That’s why we are pleased to co-sponsor the first ever Alzheimer’s Day at ECR 2026 together with Lilly, just when disease-modifying treatments are emerging in the EU. We want to help ensure that patients receive the care they need by fostering expert exchange and learning.”
Expanding the Role of Radiologists
As therapeutic options for Alzheimer’s disease expand, radiologists are increasingly becoming key contributors to multidisciplinary care teams. Advanced imaging techniques support earlier diagnosis, help stratify patients who may benefit from DMTs, and are expected to play a growing role in monitoring treatment response and therapy-related adverse events.
According to the ECR organizers, Alzheimer’s Day underscores how radiology is evolving alongside neurology and geriatrics to support more personalized and timely dementia care.
