An ad hoc committee will plan and host a public workshop at the 2011 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease. The workshop will feature invited presentations and discussion that will examine the mechanisms for validation of the newly proposed diagnostic criteria guidelines for Alzheimer’s disease. Exploration of lessons learned during the development and validation of biomarkers for cardiovascular disease will provide the backdrop for discussion of strategies for the Alzheimer’s community. The committee will develop the workshop agenda, select and invite speakers and discussants, and moderate the discussions. Specifically, workshop topics will examine the types of studies needed, their design and execution, and how the new diagnostic criteria will unfold in broader populations outside the clinical research environment. In particular, validation and standardization of biomarker use in predicting and diagnosing the symptomatic pre-dementia and dementia phase of Alzheimer’s disease will be included. An individually authored summary of the workshop will be prepared in accordance with institutional policy and procedures.