Anti-pandemic measures including social isolation in different countries resulted in many negative outcomes in people with neurodegenerative diseases (PwND). Research shows that increased loneliness is a moderator in this relationship while loneliness, rather than social isolation, is an important predictor of cognitive decline. Science is increasingly interested in effects of the interaction with nature and animals on loneliness and on the quality of life. For example, pets seemed to fulfil social and emotional needs during the COVID-19 isolation measures. However, while there are well established theories about the effects of nature and animals on human wellbeing and loneliness, and while there is strong evidence for the benefits in older people in general, research in PwND is very limited. The NATAIS working group (WG) aims to develop a research agenda on the effects of nature and animals on the quality of life and the feelings of loneliness of PwND and their caregivers during COVID-19. The research agenda will focus on both fundamental and applied research that will contribute to the improvement of PwND care and will include the learnings from the COVID-19 pandemic. The WG will produce a preliminary logic model with research questions using an innovative approach that combines the perspectives of researchers, practitioners, the PwND and their family. The research agenda will be finalized with the help of online and face-to-face discussions. The

agenda will be published in an Open Access journal and presented using the infrastructures

of several international organizations that bring research and practice closer together