My conclusion is that the real value of conferences like this is for researchers to learn about each others research projects and findings and discuss them amongst themselves so they can make steps forward with their research and hopefully form collaborations.
Many of the studies done so far are preliminary and based on small samples, so they provide promising pointers towards things to home in on in future research, rather than any definite answers.
For us patients it's a case of getting a bit excited and pleased that research is happening, but trying to be patient. I guess we'll need to wait a year or 2 for papers to be published about the findings discussed here. And then further years before diagnostic tests and treatments are available.
I don't see how we can draw any conclusions yet about possible treatments. Most of us don't have the depth of knowledge required to see whether a study of, say, antibodies or metabolites has any immediate treatment implications.
It's so hard when we've been sick for so long to be patient, but I, for one, am going to go on as before, keeping on hoping, but not making any assumptions. I don't think I have the strength to cope with excitement and raised hopes being dashed over and over as I read each scientific paper that adds a bit to knowledge, but is in reality only a tiny step forward in a very long journey.