The AGI Regional Conference which took place on 7 May 2026 represented the first regional meeting organized by the Ataxia Global Initiative (AGI). The conference successfully served as an important forum for researchers and clinicians dedicated to hereditary ataxias in Latin America.
(You can find the slides to the talks below)
The meeting provided an overview of the current state of the art in ataxia research and care across this important region of the world, particularly at this critical stage before widely accessible management practices are fully established. The conference highlighted the importance of collaboration among researchers across Latin American countries to improve access to diagnosis and established standards of care for affected populations. Through strong regional networks for sharing information on ataxia cases – supported by improved diagnostic access and active scientific exchange – individuals with ataxia in Latin America can contribute their unique characteristics to scientific knowledge and gain opportunities to participate in clinical trials.
We sincerely thank the Planning Committee, Laura Jardim, Thiago Rezende, and Mario Cornejo, all speakers and participants for their valuable contributions, engagement, and commitment to advancing ataxia research and care in Latin America!
This conference marked the launch of a broader series of AGI Regional Conferences that will be held in other parts of the world to further strengthen international collaboration and advance ataxia research and care on a global scale.
Introduction
Thomas Klockgether (University of Bonn; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn)
Slides
Argentina
Marcelo Kauffman
(Hospital J. M. Ramos Mejía / Hospital Universitario Austral, Buenos Aires, Argentina)
Slides
Malco Rossi
(FLENI – Fundación para la Lucha contra las Enfermedades Neurológicas de la Infancia, Buenos Aires, Argentina)
Slides
Bolivia
Erick Delgado
(MedicalCenter Neurocenter, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia)
Slides
Brazil
Maria Carolina Gamini
(Rede Sarah de Hospitais de Reabilitação, Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil)
Slides
Helio A. G. Teive
(Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil)
Slides
Laura B. Jardim
(Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil)
Slides
Marcondes França
(University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil)
Slides
Marcus Vinicius
(Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil)
Slides
Pedro Braga
(Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil)
Slides
Wilson Marques
(University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil)
Slides
Chile
Paula Saffie
(Clinica Santa Maria, Santiago, Chile)
Slides
Cuba
Luis Velázquez
(Cuban Academy of Sciences, Havana, Cuba)
Slides
Mexico
Jonathan Magaña
(Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación / Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico City / Monterrey, Mexico)
Slides
Miguel Angel Ramirez
National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Mexico City, Mexico)
Slides
Peru
Mario Cornejo
(Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurológicas, Lima, Peru)
Slides
Uruguay
Nicolas Sommaruga
(Hospital de Clínicas; Uruguayan Young Movement Disorders Group (JUTRAM), Montevideo, Uruguay)
Slides
Venezuela
Irene Paradisi
(Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Research (IVIC), Miranda, Venezuela)
Slides