• Neurodegeneration and Alzheimer’s is the new book that forms part of the first Spanish-language collection specialising in technological innovation in health, medicine and medical care promoted by LID Editorial, directed by Santiago de Torres
• The authors, Dr. Arcadi Navarro Cuartiellas and Dr. Nina Gramunt Fombuena, explore the scientific and research advances for its prevention and treatment
• The meeting took place yesterday at the Barcelona Biomedical Research Park (PRBB) and was attended by Manel Balcells, Minister of Health of the Generalitat de Catalunya

LID Editorial, the Pasqual Maragall Foundation, Atrys, Sanitas and PRBB have presented the fourth title of Health Tech, the first Spanish-language collection specialising in technological innovation in health, medicine and medical care directed by Santiago de Torres and promoted by LID Editorial, with the support of Atrys and Sanitas.

With the title Neurodegeneration and Alzheimer’s, in this fourth volume, Dr. Arcadi Navarro Cuartiellas, director of the Pasqual Maragall Foundation, and Dr. Nina Gramunt Fombuena, neuropsychologist expert in training and dissemination of the same entity, delve into the scientific advances that are revolutionising our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases with an important focus on Alzheimer’s. They also analyse how the application of new technologies and big data is transforming research and paving the way towards a better quality of life for those affected. They also analyse how the application of new technologies and big data is transforming research and paving the way towards a better quality of life for those affected.

The meeting, held at the PRBB, was opened by its Director General, Dr. Jordi Camí, who highlighted the great work of the Pasqual Maragall Foundation, to which the authors belong, and their links with the centre. For his part, Marcelino Elosua, founder and Chair of LID Editorial, said that ‘this book will better explain to everyone not only the medical side of neurodegenerative diseases and Alzheimer’s, but also the impact on society and businesses’.

On the other hand, Ricardo de Bedoya, Northeast Territorial Director of Sanitas Hospitales, explained that they immediately joined the Health Tech project ‘from the conviction that the healthcare model is changing and that technologies can improve patient outcomes and experience, as well as the performance of healthcare professionals’.

Faced with the current healthcare crisis caused by the lack of professionals and inaccessibility, ‘there is no definitive solution, but there are partial solutions, and new technologies are a means of tackling it. AI, big data… are technologies that will help us, as long as we put the patient at the centre,’ said Santiago de Torres, executive president of Atrys and director of the collection.

Neurodegeneration and Alzheimer’s is a book that brings together in a simple way rigorous and quality information to eliminate false myths and beliefs about Alzheimer’s, aimed at both those affected and those around them and their carers.

The presentation of the book took place through a round table discussion, moderated by Santiago de Torres, who was accompanied by the authors, Dr. Arcadi Navarro Cuartiellas and Dr. Nina Gramunt Fombuena, and the journalist specialising in science and health, Cristina Sáez.

‘There is a paradigm shift with respect to Alzheimer’s, the focus is no longer on finding a solution to cure it, but rather solutions to prevent it. Today, ‘there is greater knowledge about what it is and a greater concern for prevention,’ said Cristina Sáez.

‘Prevention is the key,’ said Dr Nina Gramunt Fombuena. ‘We know that one in three cases of Alzheimer’s can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle: nutrition, physical activity, rest, cognitive activity… What is good for the heart is good for the brain,’ she said.

For his part, Dr. Arcadi Navarro stressed that ‘thanks to the science we do in organisations such as the Pasqual Maragall Foundation, we are at a crucial moment in the management of Alzheimer’s with the arrival of new drugs and the development of biomarkers that will allow early detection and treatment, which gives hope to those affected and their families’.

The final touch was provided by Manel Balcells, Minister of Health of the Generalitat de Catalunya, stressing that Alzheimer’s is ‘a reality that concerns us and that occupies us’ and that a global vision and integrated actions at a social and health level are necessary to address the needs of those affected and their carers.

The technological transformation of the health sector

The Health Tech’s collection, promoted by LID Editorial with the support of Atrys and Sanitas, now has four titles, aimed at analysing current trends in the field of medicine: