SfN 2026: ALS and Motor Neuron Disease Sessions

Dates: November 14-18, 2026 Location: Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, D.C. Event: SfN Neuroscience 2026 — Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting

Overview

The ALS and motor neuron disease track at SfN Neuroscience 2026 covers Theme C.06: Neuromuscular Diseases, representing cutting-edge research on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), and related conditions. These sessions will present advances in understanding disease mechanisms, therapeutic approaches, and biomarker development[@sfn2026].

Pathway / Mechanism Diagram

Theme C.06: Neuromuscular Diseases

C.06.a — Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

The ALS sessions at SfN 2026 will cover:

Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms

Dates: November 14-18, 2026 Location: Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, D.C. Event: SfN Neuroscience 2026 — Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting

Overview

The ALS and motor neuron disease track at SfN Neuroscience 2026 covers Theme C.06: Neuromuscular Diseases, representing cutting-edge research on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), and related conditions. These sessions will present advances in understanding disease mechanisms, therapeutic approaches, and biomarker development[@sfn2026].

Pathway / Mechanism Diagram

Theme C.06: Neuromuscular Diseases

C.06.a — Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

The ALS sessions at SfN 2026 will cover:

Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms

• C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeat expansion — Most common genetic cause of familial ALS
• SOD1 mutations — First discovered ALS gene, protein aggregation
• TARDBP (TDP-43) — RNA-binding protein pathology in >95% of ALS cases
• FUS gene — RNA processing and stress granule dysfunction
• ATXN2 — Polyglutamine expansion as ALS risk factor

Disease Mechanisms

• RNA metabolism dysfunction — Splicing, transport, and translation defects
• Proteostasis disruption — Protein aggregation and autophagy impairment
• Mitochondrial dysfunction — Energy metabolism deficits in motor neurons
• Neuroinflammation — Microglial activation and astrocyte reactivity
• Excitotoxicity — Glutamate-induced neuronal damage
• Cytoskeletal abnormalities — Axonal transport defects

Therapeutic Approaches

• Gene silencing — ASO therapies targeting SOD1, C9orf72
• Small molecule neuroprotective agents — Emerging drug candidates
• Cell replacement — iPSC-derived motor neuron transplantation
• Neurotrophic factors — BDNF and GDNF delivery approaches

C.06.b — Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)

• SMN protein deficiency and splice-switching oligonucleotides
• Gene replacement therapies (onasemnogene abeparvovec)
• Neonatal screening and early intervention

C.06.c — Kennedy's Disease (SBMA)

• Androgen receptor polyglutamine expansion
• Lower motor neuron specificity
• Treatment strategies

C.06.d-e — Additional Topics

• Peripheral nerve disorders
• neuromuscular junction disorders

Session Types

| Session Type | Description |
|--------------|-------------|
| Symposia | 90-minute organized presentations |
| Minisymposia | 90-minute emerging research |
| Poster Sessions | Visual presentations with discussion |
| Special Lectures | Keynote addresses by field leaders |

Related NeuroWiki Pages

Disease Pages

• [Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)](/diseases/als) — Comprehensive disease overview
• [Spinal Muscular Atrophy](/diseases/spinal-muscular-atrophy) — SMA disease page

Related Mechanisms

• [TDP-43 Pathology Pathway](/mechanisms/tdp-43-pathology) — RNA-binding protein aggregates
• [C9orf72 Mechanism](/mechanisms/c9orf72-als-mechanism) — Hexanucleotide repeat expansion
• [RNA Metabolism in Neurodegeneration](mechanisms/rna-metabolism) — RNA processing defects

Related Genes

• [C9orf72 Gene](/genes/c9orf72) — Most common ALS gene
• [SOD1 Gene](/genes/sod1) — First ALS gene discovered
• [TARDBP Gene](/genes/tardbp) — TDP-43 encoding gene
• [FUS Gene](/genes/fus) — RNA-binding protein in ALS

Key Topics Expected

Biomarkers and Diagnostics

• Neurofilament light chain (NfL) — Blood and CSF biomarker for disease progression
• pNfH (phosphorylated neurofilament heavy chain) — Disease staging marker
• Genetic testing — Panel-based screening and predictive testing
• Electrophysiology — EMG advances for early diagnosis

Clinical Trial Updates

• SOD1 ASO (tofersen) — BIIB057 Phase 3 results
• C9orf72 targeting — ASO approaches in development
• Anti-inflammatory agents — Microglial modulation trials
• Combination therapies — Multi-target approaches

Model Systems

• iPSC-derived motor neurons — Patient-specific disease modeling
• Animal models — SOD1, C9orf72, TDP-43 transgenic models
• Organoid systems — 3D motor neuron cultures

Conference Integration

This session track connects with other SfN 2026 themes:

• Theme C.02 (Alzheimer's) — TDP-43 pathology in ALS/FTD overlap
• Theme C.03 (Parkinson's) — Common mechanisms (mitochondrial dysfunction, protein aggregation)
• Theme D.01 (Neuroimmunity) — Neuroinflammation across neurodegenerative diseases

See Also

• [SfN 2026 Main Page](/events/sfn-2026) — Full conference overview
• [SfN 2026: Neurodegeneration Sessions](/events/sfn-2026/neurodegeneration) — AD/PD/ALS track
• [SfN 2026: Glial Biology](/events/sfn-2026/glial-biology) — Neuroinflammation in ALS

References