The first AGI Ataxia Expert Masterclass on Spinocerebellar Ataxias (SCAs), held online on 21–23 April 2026, brings together leading international experts to address genetics, disease mechanisms, and trial readiness in SCAs.
Content: The program delivers advanced, up-to-date content with a strong emphasis on research and basic science, covering genetic diagnostics, pathophysiology, therapeutic strategies, and clinical, digital, imaging, and molecular outcomes relevant for clinical trials.
Audience: This masterclass is designed for clinicians and basic researchers working in ataxias and assumes prior foundational knowledge of ataxia characteristics, as gained through NAF/MDS training or comparable clinical or research experience.
REGISTER HERE
The AGI operates on a not-for-profit basis and relies on participation fees from industry members to cover operating expenses (1.500 €). Non-industry participants may register free of charge.
Program (Central European Sommer Time/Paris/Berlin/Rom)
Day 1: Tue, 21 Apr 2026
Session 1 – Disease Groups - Focusing on SCAs (Chair: Thomas Klockgether)
3-4:30 pm CEST/Paris; 9 am–10:30 pm EDT/Boston
Introduction (Thomas Klockgether, Bonn, Germany)
Polyglutamine SCAs (Laura Jardim, Porto Alegre, Brazil, tbc)
Intronic Expansions/ Repeats (tbc)
Non-Repeat Disease (Joana Damasio, Porto, Portugal)
Session 2 – Genetic Diagnostics, incl. Novel Technologies and Genetic Testing (Chair: Laura Jardim, tbc)
4:45-6:15 pm CEST/Paris; 10:45 am – 12:15 pm EDT/Boston
Technology (long read/ short read genome sequencing) (Alex Hoischen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands)
Diagnostic Strategies (Tobias Haack, Tuebingen, Germany)
Pre-Symptomatic Testing (Alexis Brice, Paris, tbc)
Day 2: Wed, 22 Apr 2026
Session 1 – Disease Mechanisms (Chair: Giulia Coarelli)
3-4:30 pm CEST/Paris; 9 am–10:30 pm EDT/Boston
Polyglutamine Disorders (Thorsten Schmidt, Tuebingen, Germany)
Ion Channel Involvement and Therapeutic Approaches (Vikram Shakkottai, Dallas, USA)
Non-Repeat Ataxias (David Pellerin, London, UK)
Session 2 – Therapies (Chair: tbc)
4:45-6:15 pm CEST/Paris; 10:45 am – 12:15 pm EDT/Boston
ASO Therapies (Hayley McLaughlin, Ann Arbor, USA)
Supportive Treatments (Sheng-Han Kuo, New York, USA, tbc)
Transcranial Stimulation (Roderick Maas, Nijmegen, The Netherlands)
Day 3: Thur, 23 Apr 2026
Session 1 – Outcomes - Clinical and Digital (Chair: Jennifer Faber)
3-4:30 pm CEST/Paris; 9 am–10:30 pm EDT/Boston
Clinical Scales (Marcus Grobe-Einsler, Bonn, Germany)
PROMs (Jeremy Schmahmann, Boston, USA)
Digital Markers (Winfried Ilg, Tuebingen, Germany)
Session 2 – Outcomes - Imaging and Molecular (Chair: Marcondes Franca Jr.)
4:45-6:20 pm CEST/Paris; 10:45 am – 12:20 pm EDT/Boston
Imaging (Gulin Oz, Minneapolis, USA)
Fluid Biomarkers (Giulia Coarelli, Paris, France)
Trial Readiness of Biomarkers (Jennifer Faber, Bonn, Germany)
Wrap-Up (Thomas Klockgether, Bonn, Germany)