Parkinson Disease

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:

• Movement Disorders Fellowship Program
• International Congress Travel Grants
• Young Investigator Awards

Clinical Practice Guidelines

MDS publishes evidence-based guidelines including:

• 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
• Executive Committee: Sets strategic direction
• Regional Sections: MDS Americas, MDS Europe, MDS Asia-Pacific, MDS Pan-Americas

Notable Achievements

MDS Consensus Criteria (2017): Established revised diagnostic criteria for PSP, improving diagnostic sensitivity [1](https://doi.org/10.1002/mds.26987)

MDS-UPDRS: Developed the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, now the gold standard for PD clinical trials

International PSP Genetics Consortium: Supported large-scale genetic studies identifying PSP risk genes

TauRx Trials: Published pivotal papers on [tau](/proteins/tau)-targeting therapeutics in Movement Disorders journal

Relevant Links

• [MDS Official Website](https://www.movementdisorders.org/)
• [Movement Disorders Journal](https://movementdisorders.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/)
• [Movement Disorders Clinical Practice](https://movementdisorders.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/23312078)
• [PSP Treatment](/therapeutics/progressive-supranuclear-psp-treatment)
• [Tauopathies Overview](/mechanisms/tauopathies)

See Also

• [Tauopathies Overview](/mechanisms/tauopathies)
• [Dysautonomia and Non-Motor Complications — MDS 2026](/events/mds-2026/parkinsons-dysautonomia-non-motor)
• [Non-Motor Symptoms in PD — MDS 2026](/events/mds-2026/parkinsons-non-motor-symptoms)

External Links

• [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/)
• [KEGG Pathways](https://www.genome.jp/kegg/pathway.html)

Open Questions

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: