Miami Hosts First Pan American PD and Movement Disorders Congress

The International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society (MDS) is hosting the 1st Pan American Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Congress (PAS Congress) this weekend.

The inaugural meeting, whose theme is “Movement Disorders in the Americas: State of the Art,” runs from today until Sunday, Feb. 26, at the InterContinental Miami in Florida. It offers a forum for clinicians and scientists to discuss a variety of movement disorder topics as well as make presentations on current research and available treatments.

More than 400 physicians, researchers and other healthcare professionals from North, Central and South America are participating, and more than 150 scientific abstracts will be available for review. They’ll also take part in lectures, debates, teaching courses, skills workshops and video sessions.

Specifically, the event will focus on the pathophysiology, neurobiology and diagnostic approaches of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and other movement disorders. Researchers and physicians will also have the chance to learn about available pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment options for patients living with these diseases.

The event’s final program and more information can be found here.

MDS is a professional society of more than 5,000 clinicians, scientists and other healthcare professionals interested in PD, related neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders, hyperkinetic movement disorders and abnormalities in muscle tone and motor control.

Founded in 1985 and based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, MDS aims to improve the care of patients with movement disorders through education and research, in order to recognize the growing importance of PD care and research within the field of movement disorders.

Later this year, MDS will also host the 21st International Congress of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders in Vancouver, Canada. Registration for the June 4-8 event is now open. Its last international congress, in Berlin, attracted 5,500 people representing 84 countries. At the event, 2,111 abstracts were accepted, 100 travel grants were presented and 180 faculty members participated in its scientific sessions.