International Parkinson and Movement Disorders Society (MDS)
The International Parkinson and Movement Disorders Society (MDS) is a global professional society dedicated to the study and treatment of movement disorders, including Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), [Parkinson's disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease), Huntington's disease, and other neurodegenerative conditions affecting movement.
Overview
| Attribute | Details | |-----------|---------| | Organization Name | International Parkinson and Movement Disorders Society | | Abbreviation | MDS | | Founded | 1990 (as Movement Disorders Society) | | Headquarters | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA | | Focus | Movement disorders research and clinical care | | Members | 10,000+ neurologists, researchers, healthcare professionals worldwide | | Official Journal | Movement Disorders | | Official Journal: Clinical Practice | Movement Disorders Clinical Practice |
Mission
MDS aims to:
Advance the understanding of movement disorders pathophysiology and treatment
Promote research and clinical care for PSP and related conditions
Educate healthcare professionals and trainees
Support patients and families affected by movement disorders
Establish evidence-based clinical guidelines
Key Programs and Activities
...
International Parkinson and Movement Disorders Society (MDS)
The International Parkinson and Movement Disorders Society (MDS) is a global professional society dedicated to the study and treatment of movement disorders, including Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), [Parkinson's disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease), Huntington's disease, and other neurodegenerative conditions affecting movement.
Overview
| Attribute | Details | |-----------|---------| | Organization Name | International Parkinson and Movement Disorders Society | | Abbreviation | MDS | | Founded | 1990 (as Movement Disorders Society) | | Headquarters | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA | | Focus | Movement disorders research and clinical care | | Members | 10,000+ neurologists, researchers, healthcare professionals worldwide | | Official Journal | Movement Disorders | | Official Journal: Clinical Practice | Movement Disorders Clinical Practice |
Mission
MDS aims to:
Advance the understanding of movement disorders pathophysiology and treatment
Promote research and clinical care for PSP and related conditions
Educate healthcare professionals and trainees
Support patients and families affected by movement disorders
Establish evidence-based clinical guidelines
Key Programs and Activities
Annual International Congress
The MDS Annual International Congress is the premier gathering for movement disorders specialists worldwide:
Features dedicated PSP and atypical parkinsonism sessions
Presents clinical trials updates and breakthrough research
Provides networking opportunities for PSP researchers
Attended by 5,000+ delegates annually
MDS-Endorsed Fellowships
The society supports clinical and research fellowships:
MDS Consensus Criteria for PSP [1](https://doi.org/10.1002/mds.26987)
Parkinson's disease diagnostic criteria
Rating scales for movement disorders (MDS-UPDRS)
Special Interest Groups
MDS has dedicated groups for:
PSP and atypical parkinsonism
Tauopathies
Clinical trials methodology
Neuroimaging
Genetics
Educational Resources
MDS-Web: Online continuing medical education
Movement Disorders Journal: Peer-reviewed research
Clinical Practice Guidelines
Case teaching modules
Relevance to PSP
MDS is the primary professional organization for PSP researchers and clinicians:
| Contribution | Description | |--------------|-------------| | Research Collaboration | International PSP genetics and biomarker studies | | Clinical Guidelines | MDS criteria for PSP diagnosis and staging | | Education | Annual congress sessions dedicated to PSP | | Advocacy | Support for PSP research funding initiatives |
Governance
MDS is governed by:
President: Leadership rotates among international members
Despite significant progress in understanding Parkinson's disease pathogenesis, numerous key questions remain unanswered. Addressing these questions is essential for developing disease-modifying therapies and improving early diagnosis.
Alpha-Synuclein Propagation
What are the exact mechanisms of prion-like propagation of [alpha-synuclein](/proteins/alpha-synuclein) pathology?
How does cell-to-cell transmission differ between sporadic and genetic forms of PD?
Can we develop therapies that block propagation without disrupting normal synaptic function?
Genetic Risk Factors
What is the therapeutic window for [LRRK2](/entities/lrrk2) kinase inhibition in PD patients?
How do [GBA](/entities/gba) variants influence disease progression and treatment response?
Are there protective genetic factors that could be therapeutically mimicked?
Biomarkers and Early Detection
What is the optimal combination of biomarkers for early PD diagnosis?
Can we identify individuals at risk decades before clinical symptoms appear?
How do we differentiate PD from other parkinsonian disorders using biomarkers?
Disease Modification
What are the optimal timing windows for disease-modifying interventions?
How do we develop combination therapies that target multiple pathological pathways?
What endpoints should be used in clinical trials for early-stage PD?
Non-Motor Symptoms
What is the relationship between sleep disorders and PD pathogenesis?
How does autonomic dysfunction relate to alpha-synuclein pathology?
Can treating non-motor symptoms slow overall disease progression?
Gut-Brain Axis
What is the role of the [microbiome](/entities/microbiome) in PD susceptibility and progression?
How does intestinal permeability affect alpha-synuclein aggregation?
Could gut-targeted interventions modify PD progression?
References
Pathway Diagram
The following diagram shows the key molecular relationships involving Parkinson Disease discovered through SciDEX knowledge graph analysis: