Session Descriptions

Plenary Session 1

Looking at Parkinson’s Disease With a 2026 Lens—Breaking Advances Around the Globe

This opening plenary session provides a comprehensive update on advances in Parkinson’s disease, including etiopathology, diagnosis, and therapies. Speakers will explore leading hypotheses on disease initiation, highlighting insights from pathology, genetics, and biomarker research. Advances in diagnostic approaches will be discussed from different angles—from clinical criteria to imaging to fluid biomarkers. The session concludes with a forward-looking overview of emerging therapies poised to change clinical management in the near future.

Parallel Session 1

Genetics and Environment—The Yin & Yang of Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease results from an interplay of genetics and environmental risk factors. This session examines the many genes associated with Parkinson’s disease, from the rarer monogenic factors to the more common risk variants. Environmental triggers associated with Parkinson’s disease, including pollution, toxins and lifestyle factors, will be discussed with attention to epidemiologic and mechanistic evidence. The session closes with a pragmatic discussion of prevention strategies and the actions that people and societies can take today.

Parallel Session 2

Recent Advances in Prediction and Modelling of PD Progression—Are They Ready for the Bedside?

This session explores how far predictive models of Parkinson’s disease progression have come—and where gaps remain. Talks will review traditional clinical predictors, advanced neuroimaging markers, and emerging digital and wearable technologies. The strengths and limitations of these approaches will be critically examined, with a focus on individual patient prognosis. Speakers will address whether current available tools are ready for routine clinical use or remain primarily research instruments.

Plenary Session 2

The Mahlon DeLong Plenary—What Matters Most: The 2026 Therapeutics Update on Parkinson’s Disease

Named in honor of Dr. Mahlon DeLong, this plenary session delivers a state-of-the-art update on Parkinson’s disease therapeutics. Speakers will discuss evolving strategies in pharmacologic management, including comparison of monotherapy versus polytherapy. The expanding role of infusion therapies will be examined, particularly for patients with motor fluctuations refractory to oral medications. The session concludes with the latest advances in functional neurosurgery and how surgical options fit into modern treatment algorithms.

Parallel Session 3

Beneath the Parkinson’s Iceberg—Exploring Nonmotor Symptoms

Nonmotor symptoms remain a major driver of disability in Parkinson’s disease, often hidden beneath the surface of motor manifestations. This session focuses on cognitive, behavioral, sleep, and autonomic dysfunction, emphasizing their clinical recognition and management. Speakers will highlight recent advances in understanding underlying mechanisms and therapeutic options. Practical strategies for integrating nonmotor symptom assessment into routine care will be discussed.

Parallel Session 4

Spotting the PD Chameleons—Update on Atypical Parkinsonism

This session provides a contemporary overview of atypical parkinsonian syndromes and other conditions that mimic Parkinson’s disease. Speakers will review advances in synucleinopathies, tauopathies, and secondary parkinsonian disorders, with emphasis on distinguishing clinical features. Updates in biomarkers, imaging, and evolving diagnostic criteria will be presented. The session aims to sharpen diagnostic accuracy and avoid common pitfalls in clinical practice.

Plenary Session 3

The Mark Hallett Plenary—Spotlight on Hyperkinetic Disorders

This plenary session honors Dr. Mark Hallett, and focuses on advances in the understanding and management of hyperkinetic movement disorders. Speakers will discuss evolving classification frameworks that integrate phenomenology with pathophysiology. The role of machine learning, electrophysiology, and digital tools in diagnosis and management will be explored. The session concludes with an update on functional neurosurgical approaches for select hyperkinetic disorders.

Parallel Session 5

Dystonia, Tics, and Chorea

This session addresses three major hyperkinetic movement disorder groups with overlapping yet distinct mechanisms. Talks will cover advances in dystonia genetics, evolving concepts in tic disorders and Tourette’s syndrome, and progress in understanding non-Huntington choreas. Current and emerging treatments, including clinical trials, will be reviewed. Emphasis will be placed on translating mechanistic insights into practical patient care.

Parallel Session 6

Cerebellar Ataxias and Spastic Paraplegias

This session provides an update on rapidly evolving genetic and therapeutic landscapes in cerebellar ataxias and hereditary spastic paraplegias. Speakers will review newly discovered genetic causes and optimized testing strategies relevant to 2026. Treatable ataxias, including Friedreich ataxia, will be highlighted alongside emerging disease-modifying therapies. Molecular mechanisms of repeat expansion disorders will be discussed in the context of novel therapeutic targets.

Plenary Session 4

The Nir Giladi Plenary—The Heart of It All: Therapeutics in Movement Disorders

This plenary session in honor of Dr. Nir Giladi focuses on therapeutic advances across a broad spectrum of movement disorders. The session begins with a critical examination of recent developments in Huntington’s disease treatment, distinguishing genuine progress from unmet expectations. This will be followed by a consideration of the expanding indications and innovative uses of botulinum neurotoxin. The session concludes with a discussion of modern neurorehabilitation strategies and their growing role in comprehensive movement disorder care.

Parallel Session 7

Unmasking Rare and Remarkable Movement Disorders

This session highlights movement disorders that are frequently overlooked, misdiagnosed, or diagnostically challenging. Talks will address autoimmune movement disorders, pediatric presentations, and newly recognized genetic variants with expanding phenotypes. Speakers will share practical diagnostic pearls and red flags to improve early recognition. The session emphasizes the importance of maintaining diagnostic curiosity.

Parallel Session 8

Last Pieces of the Puzzle: Emergencies, Gait Disorders, and Neuropalliative Care

This session focuses on high-impact clinical scenarios that require thoughtful management. Speakers will review acute movement disorder emergencies and evidence-based response strategies. Modern approaches to gait disorders will be discussed, integrating neurologic, musculoskeletal, and rehabilitative perspectives. The session concludes with an introduction to neuropalliative care, emphasizing symptom relief, communication, and quality of life throughout the disease course.

Plenary Session 5

A Master Clinician’s Approach to Challenging Movement Disorders

This session showcases expert clinical reasoning through complex and challenging movement disorder cases. Faculty will demonstrate diagnostic decision-making, differential diagnosis, and management strategies in real-world scenarios. The session aims to refine clinical judgment and inspire confidence in tackling difficult cases.

Plenary Session 6

IAPRD’s Grand Video Challenge—Team Innovation versus Team Collaboration

This interactive session features interesting cases in Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders submitted and presented by delegates. Attendees can test their diagnostic skills by assessing the phenomenology and diagnostic clues presented. A faculty panel will also attempt diagnosis, providing their reasoning as they highlight visual clues and teaching points. The session is designed to be engaging, educational, and directly applicable to everyday clinical practice.

The New IAPRD High-Low Challenge

In these short game-like sessions, attendees will test their knowledge of findings from recently published articles in Parkinsonism and Related Disorders and Clinical Parkinsonism and Related Disorders journals. Moderators will present numeric findings based on published research and attendees will indicate whether the actual finding is numerically higher or lower than the presented statement. This engaging session is designed to highlight important research in the field in a manner that enhances memory and encourages active engagement.