2026 MDS-ES Focused Workshop
Parkinson's Disease Decoded: Genes, Environment, and the Epidemiological Challenge
May 8-10, 2026 in Lübeck, Germany
Registration & abstract submission open October 1, 2025
This program brings together leading experts in the field to explore the complex interplay of genetics, environmental exposures, and emerging epidemiological trends in Parkinson’s disease (PD).
Through a mix of plenary lectures, interactive panel discussions, and abstract presentations, you will gain critical insights into the biological, molecular, and clinical dimensions of PD, as well as the translational challenges in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
May 8-10, 2026
Lübeck, Germany
Registration & abstract submission open October 1, 2025
Venue: Audimax Lübeck,
University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein,
Lübeck, Germany
Join leading experts from across Europe
Oversight Committee
Jean-Christophe Corvol, MD, PhD
Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière
Paris, France
Oversight Committee Chair
Christine Klein, MD, FEAN
University of Lübeck
Lübeck, Germany
Chair, Local Organizing Committee
Enza Maria Valente, MD, PhD
University of Pavia
Pavia, Italy
Chair, Scientific Program Committee
Per Svenningsson, MD, PhD
Karolinska Institutet
Stockholm, Sweden
Co-Chair, Scientific Program Committee
Roberto Erro, MD, PhD
University of Salerno
Salerno, Italy
Tiago Outeiro, PhD
University Medical Center
Goettingen, Germany
David Burn, FMedSci, MD, FRCP
Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom
MDS President (2025-2027)
Complete faculty to be announced
Schedule
| Friday, May 8, 2026 — DAY 1 |
Session 1:
Parkinson's Disease: A tale of increasing complexity
14:00 - 15: 45
- Epidemiology of Parkinson’s disease: Is this a new pandemic?
- Why do so many PD trials fail? Current pitfalls in patients' stratification and model-to-human translation
- Panel Discussion
Session 2:
Main genetic determinants in Parkinson’s disease
Presented in collaboration with European Academy of Neurology (EAN)
16:15 - 18:30
- Worldwide incidence, mutational spectrum and phenotypes of Parkinson’s disease genes
- Genetic and environmental modifiers of LRRK2-PD
- Multilevel modulation of GBA penetrance
- Panel Discussion
- European Academy of Neurology (EAN) Information and Opportunities
Plenary:
Innovative strategies to tackle Parkinson’s disease genetics
18:30 – 19:15
Event:
Welcome Reception
19:30 – 20:30
| Saturday, May 9, 2026 — DAY 2 |
Session 3:
Genome-wide complexity of Parkinson’s disease risk
8:30 - 10:00
- PD-GWAS and genome-wide determinants of phenotypic traits
- Epigenetic modifiers
- Panel Discussion
Session 4:
α-synuclein-mediated pathways to disease
10:30 - 12:30
- Pathological α-synuclein and mitochondrial damage
- Transcriptomic signatures in synucleinopathies
- Dysfunction of clearance systems and α-synuclein toxicity
- Panel Discussion
Plenary Lecture:
Toward a biological definition of neuronal and glial synucleinopathies
12:30 - 13:15
Poster Session / Oral Platform Presentations
13:45 – 14:45
Session 5:
Environmental factors and lifestyle
15:00 - 17:00
- Pesticides and air pollution in Parkinson’s disease risk
- Modifiable environmental factors: tobacco, diet and more
- Combining exposome and metabolome to detect environmental modifiers in genetic Parkinson’s disease
- Panel Discussion
Session 6:
Parkinson’s disease comorbidities
17:30 - 19:00
- Diabetes and insulin-resistance
- Cancer
- Panel Discussion
Plenary Lecture:
Exercising body and brain: A neuroscientific perspective
19:00 - 19:45
| Sunday, May 10, 2026 — DAY 3 |
Session 7:
The crosstalk between gut and brain
8:30 - 10:30
- The gut-brain axis
- Parkinson’s disease dysbiome triggers neurodegeneration in mice
- Microbiota-based interventions to treat Parkinson’s disease
- Panel Discussion
Session 8:
Inflammation and immunity
11:00 - 13:00
- Brain inflammation across neurodegenerative diseases
- Modulation of inflammation in alpha-synuclein mouse models)
- Role of lipid dysregulation in neuroinflammation and therapeutic perspectives
- Panel Discussion
Plenary Lecture:
Artificial intelligence‑based stratification of Parkinson’s disease trajectories
13:00 - 13:45
Learning Objectives
By the end of the course, you will be able to:
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Evaluate the current epidemiological trends in Parkinson’s disease, including the potential global rise in incidence and the multifactorial contributors to its prevalence.
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Analyze the major genetic contributors to PD, including the role of monogenic mutations and genetic risk factors (e.g., LRRK2, GBA), the known modifiers of penetrance and the influence of gene-environment interactions.
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Discuss the significance of genome-wide association studies (GWAS), epigenetic mechanisms, and transcriptomic data in advancing precision medicine approaches for PD.
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Understand the pathogenic role of α-synuclein, including its interactions with mitochondrial damage, protein clearance systems, and its relevance to glial and neuronal dysfunction.
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Explore the gut-brain axis and microbiota-based therapies as emerging fields in PD pathogenesis and intervention strategies.
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Investigate the roles of neuroinflammation and immune response, with a focus on lipid metabolism and targeted therapeutic opportunities.
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Critically appraise the use of artificial intelligence in stratifying disease trajectories and improving personalized care models for Parkinson’s disease.
More details coming soon