MDS 2026 — Movement Disorder Society
Organizer: Movement Disorder Society (MDS)
Website: [mdscongress.org](https://www.mdscongress.org)
Timing: Annually (typically June)
2026 Conference Details
Program Highlights
- 50+ Scientific Topics: Covering cutting-edge technologies and controversial issues
- Sessions with Live Patients: Hands-on case analysis
- MDS Talks: Featured presentations
- Video Challenge: Submit interesting cases for live presentation during Congress
- Networking Events: Connect with researchers and clinicians
Key Deadlines
- Late-Breaking Abstract Submissions: Available (check MDS website)
- Early Registration: Check MDS website for deadlines
About the Venue
COEX Convention and Exhibition Center is one of Asia's largest convention centers, located in the heart of Seoul's Gangnam business district. The venue offers state-of-the-art facilities for scientific conferences[@pezzullo2024].
| Item | Details |
|------|---------|
| Dates | October 4-8, 2026 |
| Location | Seoul, Korea — COEX Convention and Exhibition Center |
| Organizer | Movement Disorder Society (MDS) |
| Website | [mdscongress.org](https://www.mdscongress.org) |
Overview
...MDS 2026 — Movement Disorder Society
Organizer: Movement Disorder Society (MDS)
Website: [mdscongress.org](https://www.mdscongress.org)
Timing: Annually (typically June)
2026 Conference Details
Program Highlights
- 50+ Scientific Topics: Covering cutting-edge technologies and controversial issues
- Sessions with Live Patients: Hands-on case analysis
- MDS Talks: Featured presentations
- Video Challenge: Submit interesting cases for live presentation during Congress
- Networking Events: Connect with researchers and clinicians
Key Deadlines
- Late-Breaking Abstract Submissions: Available (check MDS website)
- Early Registration: Check MDS website for deadlines
About the Venue
COEX Convention and Exhibition Center is one of Asia's largest convention centers, located in the heart of Seoul's Gangnam business district. The venue offers state-of-the-art facilities for scientific conferences[@pezzullo2024].
| Item | Details |
|------|---------|
| Dates | October 4-8, 2026 |
| Location | Seoul, Korea — COEX Convention and Exhibition Center |
| Organizer | Movement Disorder Society (MDS) |
| Website | [mdscongress.org](https://www.mdscongress.org) |
Overview
Mermaid diagram (expand to render)
The Movement Disorder Society (MDS) Congress is the world's leading meeting focused on movement disorders, a group of neurological conditions characterized by abnormal movements including Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, dystonia, tremor, tics, and various other hyperkinetic and hypokinetic disorders["@mds"].
The annual MDS Congress brings together neurologists, neuroscientists, researchers, and clinicians who specialize in movement disorders, making it the most important venue for presenting advances in understanding and treating these conditions. The 2026 congress will feature the latest research in [Parkinson's disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease), the most common movement disorder, along with advances in all other [movement disorders](/diseases/movement-disorders) including [Alzheimer's disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease), [Huntington's disease](diseases/huntingtons), [Multiple System Atrophy](/diseases/multiple-system-atrophy), and [Progressive Supranuclear Palsy](/diseases/progressive-supranuclear-palsy)[@fahn2023].
Parkinson's Disease Sessions
Detailed Session Tracks
The 2026 congress will feature several dedicated session tracks covering major disease areas and cross-cutting themes:
- [MDS 2026 — Parkinson's Disease Sessions](/events/mds-2026-parkinsons-sessions) — Comprehensive coverage of PD research including [alpha-synuclein](/proteins/alpha-synuclein) biology, [LRRK2](/entities/lrrk2) genetics, and therapeutic strategies
- [MDS 2026 — Huntington's Disease Sessions](/events/mds-2026-huntingtons-sessions) — Gene therapy advances, disease-modifying therapies, and clinical trial updates
- [MDS 2026 — Rare Movement Disorders](/events/mds-2026-rare-movement-disorders) — Ataxias, dystonia spectrum disorders, Wilson disease, and other rare conditions
- [MDS 2026 — Industry Pipeline](/events/mds-2026-industry-pipeline) — Pharmaceutical company programs, drug development updates, and clinical trial opportunities
- [MDS 2026 — Alpha-Synuclein & Lewy Body Research](/events/mds-2026-alpha-synuclein-lewy-body) — Seed amplification assays, Lewy body pathology, and synucleinopathy therapeutics
- [MDS 2026 — Emerging Therapeutics](/events/mds-2026-parkinsons-emerging-therapeutics) — Disease-modifying therapies, gene and cell therapies
- [MDS 2026 — Deep Brain Stimulation](/events/mds-2026/deep-brain-stimulation-updates) — Surgical advances, device technology, programming innovations
- [MDS 2026 — Tremor and Hyperkinetic Movements](/events/mds-2026/tremor-hyperkinetic-movements) — Tremor classification, essential tremor, dystonic tremor, chorea, tics
The 2026 congress will feature dedicated sessions on Parkinson's disease research and clinical advances. See [MDS 2026 — Parkinson's Disease Sessions](/events/mds-2026-parkinsons-sessions) for detailed coverage of expected topics including alpha-synuclein research, LRRK2 genetics, and therapeutic strategies.
Conference Focus Areas
Parkinson's Disease
The primary focus of MDS, covering over 60% of the program:
- Diagnosis and Biomarkers: Clinical diagnosis, imaging, and fluid biomarkers[@kalia2024]
- Treatment: Pharmacological, surgical, and rehabilitation approaches
- Non-Motor Symptoms: Sleep disorders, cognitive impairment, psychiatric manifestations
- Motor Complications: Dyskinesias, fluctuations, freezing of gait
- Genetics: LRRK2, [GBA](/entities/gba), SNCA, and other genetic risk factors
Parkinson's Treatment Modalities
- Dopaminergic medications (levodopa, dopamine agonists, MAO-B inhibitors)
- Deep brain stimulation (STN, GPi targets)
- Continuous drug delivery systems
- Gene therapies and cell-based approaches
- Exercise and rehabilitation
Other Movement Disorders
Huntington's Disease
- Genetic testing and genetic counseling
- Disease-modifying therapy approaches
- Symptomatic treatments for chorea
- Caregiver support and multidisciplinary care
Dystonia
- Botulinum toxin injection techniques
- Deep brain stimulation for dystonia
- Genetic causes and classification
- Pediatric dystonia management
- Task-specific dystonias
Tremor
- Essential tremor diagnosis and treatment
- Cerebellar tremor characteristics
- Dystonic tremor management
- Surgical interventions for tremor
- Emerging pharmacological treatments
Other Disorders
- Multiple System Atrophy (MSA): Autonomic dysfunction, parkinsonism
- Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP): Vertical gaze palsy, falls
- Corticobasal Degeneration: Apraxia, alien limb phenomena
- Wilson's Disease: Copper metabolism disorders
- Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS): Sleep disturbance, iron metabolism
Conference Structure
The MDS Congress offers diverse educational formats:
- Plenary Lectures: Major presentations by international experts
- Scientific Sessions: Platform presentations of original research
- Poster Sessions: Interactive visual abstracts
- Teaching Courses: Comprehensive educational sessions
- Video Sessions: Movement disorder demonstrations
- Meet-the-Professor: Small group learning experiences
- Video Symposia: Clinical case presentations
MDS typically offers comprehensive virtual participation:
- In-person attendance with networking opportunities
- Live streaming of key sessions
- On-demand access to recorded content
- Virtual poster hall with discussion boards
- Remote networking sessions
Recent Advances Showcased
2023-2025 Highlights
Diagnostic Advances
- Alpha-synuclein seed amplification assays: Diagnostic breakthroughs for Parkinson's and MSA[@pezzullo2024]
- Blood biomarkers: p-tau181, [neurofilament light](/biomarkers/neurofilament-light-chain-nfl) chain
- Advanced neuroimaging: DaTscan, MR fingerprinting
Therapeutic Breakthroughs
- LRRK2 inhibitors: Gene-targeted therapies in development
- Gene therapies: AAV-based treatments for Parkinson's
- Continuous drug delivery: Intravenous levodopa (LDCI)
- Novel formulations: Extended-release carbidopa/levodopa
Technology
- Wearable devices: Digital monitoring tools for Parkinson's
- Deep brain stimulation advances: Directional leads, closed-loop systems
- Digital therapeutics: FDA-cleared applications
Typical Locations
MDS rotates annually between major cities:
- North America (annually)
- Europe (annually)
- Asia-Pacific (annually)
Facilities
- State-of-the-art convention centers
- Comprehensive AV equipment
- Accessibility accommodations
- Exhibition halls for industry partners
Professional Development
Training Programs
- MDS Summer School: Intensive training for trainees
- MDS Winter School: Focused education on specific topics
- Practical workshops: Hands-on learning opportunities
- Abstract writing courses: Grant and publication skills
Career Resources
- Career development sessions
- Mentorship matching
- Job board and listings
- Interview preparation workshops
Impact on the Field
MDS has significantly influenced movement disorder practice:
- Standardization: Established diagnostic criteria and rating scales
- Education: Trained thousands of movement disorder specialists
- Research: Fostered international collaboration
- Advocacy: Raised awareness of movement disorders
- Guidelines: Developed evidence-based practice recommendations
- [World Parkinson Congress](/events/world-parkinson-congress)
- [AD/PD 2026](/events/adpd-2026)
- [AAN Annual Meeting](/events/aan-annual-meeting)
- [Conference Index](/events/conference-index)
[@pezzullo2024]: Movement Disorder Society. [MDS Congress 2026](https://www.mdscongress.org). International Congress of Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders. October 4-8, 2026; Seoul, Korea.
See Also
- [NeuroWiki Home](/home)
- [Events Index](/events/conference-index)
External Links
- [Conference Website](https://www.mdscongress.org)
Parkinson's Disease Clinical Content
Diagnostics & Biomarkers
- [PD Diagnostics & Biomarkers — MDS 2026](/events/mds-2026-parkinsons-diagnostics-biomarkers) — Emerging diagnostic technologies, blood-based biomarkers, neuroimaging, prodromal markers
Clinical Trials
- [PD Clinical Trials — MDS 2026](/events/mds-2026-parkinsons-clinical-trials) — Disease-modifying therapies, motor symptom therapies, active clinical trials
Management
- [Movement Disorder Management — MDS 2026](/events/mds-2026-movement-disorder-management) — Pharmacologic and surgical approaches for PD, essential tremor, dystonia
Non-Motor Symptoms
- [Non-Motor Symptoms in PD — MDS 2026](/events/mds-2026-parkinsons-non-motor-symptoms) — Neuropsychiatric, sleep, autonomic, sensory, and cognitive symptoms
- [Sleep and Circadian Disorders — MDS 2026](/events/mds-2026-parkinsons-sleep-circadian) — REM sleep behavior disorder, insomnia, circadian disruption in Parkinson's
Motor Complications
- [Motor Complications — MDS 2026](/events/mds-2026-parkinsons-motor-complications) — Dyskinesias, motor fluctuations, freezing of gait, postural instability
Emerging Therapeutics
- [Emerging Therapeutics — MDS 2026](/events/mds-2026-parkinsons-emerging-therapeutics) — Disease-modifying therapies, gene and cell therapies, novel pharmacological approaches
Alpha-Synuclein & Lewy Body Research
- [Alpha-Synuclein & Lewy Body Research — MDS 2026](/events/mds-2026-alpha-synuclein-lewy-body) — Seed amplification assays, Lewy body pathology, prion-like propagation, synucleinopathy therapeutics
Deep Brain Stimulation
- [Deep Brain Stimulation Updates — MDS 2026](/events/mds-2026/deep-brain-stimulation-updates) — Surgical advances, device technology, programming innovations
Tremor and Hyperkinetic Movements
- [Tremor and Hyperkinetic Movements — MDS 2026](/events/mds-2026/tremor-hyperkinetic-movements) — Tremor classification, assessment scales, essential tremor, parkinsonian tremor, dystonic tremor, chorea, ballism, myoclonus, tics
References
Unknown, MDS Congress Information (n.d.)
[Fahn S, et al., The Movement Disorder Society: 35 years of advancing the field. Mov Disord. 2023 (2023)](https://doi.org/10.1002/mds.29556)
[Kalia LV, et al., Parkinson's disease. Lancet. 2024 (2024)](https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)
[Pezzullo AM, et al., Alpha-synuclein seed amplification assays in Parkinson's disease. Mov Disord. 2024 (2024)](https://doi.org/10.1002/mds.29876)