{"id":26793,"date":"2026-09-01T10:23:41","date_gmt":"2026-09-01T14:23:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arsacs.com\/?page_id=26793"},"modified":"2026-09-01T10:23:41","modified_gmt":"2026-09-01T14:23:41","slug":"2026-international-arsacs-symposium","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/arsacs.com\/fr\/2026-international-arsacs-symposium\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 Symposium international sur l'ARSACS"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n\r\n
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8\u1d57\u02b0 International Symposium on ARSACS<\/h1>\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\n

Sponsored by the Ataxia Charlevoix- Saguenay Foundation<\/p>\n

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ICAR Satellite Meeting<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\n

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Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel & Convention Center 2450 Galleria Parkway SE, Atlanta GA 30339<\/h4><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\n
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Monday, November 9, 2026<\/h4><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\n
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Advancing ARSACS Research<\/h1>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\n
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About the Symposium<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\n
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8\u1d57\u02b0 International Symposium on ARSACS (Autosomal Recessive Spastic Ataxia of Charlevoix- Saguenay)<\/span><\/strong>
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Monday, November 9, 2026<\/h4><\/div><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\n
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1pm \u2013 5pm followed by cocktail<\/h4><\/div><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\n
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Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel & Convention Center 2450 Galleria Parkway SE, Atlanta GA 30339<\/h4><\/div><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\n
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*<\/span> In person only *<\/span> <\/strong><\/p>\n

*<\/span> No registration fee *<\/span><\/strong>
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A great opportunity to learn about the latest advancements in ARSACS research. This conference is sponsored by the Ataxia Charlevoix- Saguenay Foundation.<\/p>\n

The symposium, a scientific conference, is a satellite meeting of the 2026 ICAR Conference and is scheduled to begin the day before the start of ICAR.<\/p>\n

This free in-person\u00a0<\/strong>event is open to anyone interested in rare neurological diseases.<\/p>\n

There is no opportunity for abstract or posters.<\/p>\n

Networking opportunity from 5PM \u2013 7PM.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\n

Register Now<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\n
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Our Mission<\/span><\/h2>\n
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The mission of the Ataxia Charlevoix- Saguenay Foundation is to contribute to the development of a treatment for ARSACS. Since 2006, the Foundation has been funding research projects in Quebec, Canada, USA, Europe and South America. The fundamental research funded over the years has made significant progress pointing to promising prospects. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\n

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Symposium Program<\/h1>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\n
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On behalf of the Ataxia Charlevoix- Saguenay Foundation and on my personal behalf, I wish to invite you to the 8th International Symposium on ARSACS, a dynamic gathering of leading researchers and clinicians committed to advancing research on ARSACS. I hope to see you there!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

Sonia Gobeil<\/div>
Cofounder of the Ataxia Charlevoix- Saguenay Foundation<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\n

This year\u2019s conference will offer an exceptional opportunity to discover the emerging trends in ARSACS research, share insights, and foster new collaborations.<\/p>\n

The Symposium program is still under development<\/strong> and is being shaped with the valuable collaboration of Dr. A. Watt from McGill University. We encourage you to visit the Foundation website regularly for exciting updates.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\n

Keynote speaker : Dr. Jennifer Faber, University of Bonn, Germany\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\n
View Detailed Program<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Detailed Program<\/h1>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\n
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Opening Remarks <\/h4>
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Sonia Gobeil, Cofounder, Ataxia Charlevoix-Saguenay Foundation<\/p>\n

Symposium Chaired by: to be confirmed<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\n

\u201cTitle to be confirmed\u201d<\/h4>
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$<\/span>1:10pm<\/span><\/div><\/div>

Keynote speaker: Dr. Jennifer Fabe, University of Bonn<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\n

\u201cClinical Trial\u201d<\/h4>
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Dr. Massimo Pandolf, McGill University<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\n

\u201cSmall molecule and gene therapy for ARSACS\u201d<\/h4>
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Dr. Stefan Strack, University of Iowa<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\n

\u201cTitle to be confirmed\u201d<\/h4>
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Dr. Francesca Maltecca, Ospedale San Raffaele Scientific Institute\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\n

Refreshment Pause<\/h4>
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Dr. Justin Wolter, University of Wisconsin<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\n

\u201cModelling ARSACS with cerebellar organoids\u201d<\/h4>
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Dr. Esther Becker, University of Oxford<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\n

Closing Remarks<\/h4>
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Cocktail<\/h4>
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Symposium Speakers<\/h1>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\n
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Dr. Jennifer Faber<\/h4>\n

University of Bon<\/h5>\n

I studied medicine and mathematics. Together with my team, our main research aim is the optimization of MR imaging biomarkers particularly for ataxia disorders and thus, improvement of data-driven disease modeling. Our research focuses on cerebellar imaging and digital biomarkers in neurodegeneration \u2013 with particular emphasis on ataxias. We aim to improve diagnosis and monitor disease progression in ataxia and related movement disorders.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\n

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Dr. Massimo Pandolfo<\/h4>\n

Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University<\/h5>\n

Before coming to the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery at McGill University in 2021, Dr. Massimo Pandolfo was Chief of Neurology at Erasme Hospital and Professor of Neurology at the Universit\u00e9 Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), where he was also Director of the Laboratory of Experimental Neurology.\u202f His research interests focus on neurogenetics. An international collaboration led by Dr. Pandolfo was the first to identify the Friedreich\u2019s ataxia (FRDA) gene in 1996. He has since contributed to the study of the molecular pathogenesis of the disease, to the development of therapeutics, and to its clinical characterization.<\/p>\n

He has been the coordinator of the European Friedreich\u2019s Ataxia Consortium for Translational Studies (EFACTS) and is currently on the Board of Directors of the Ataxia Charlevoix-Saguenay Foundation. \u202f<\/p>\n

In addition, he has contributed to the study of several monogenic epilepsies and participated in genetic studies on common epilepsies and on epilepsy pharmacogenetics. He was also involved in genetic studies on brain degeneration with iron accumulation, paroxysmal non-kinesogenic dyskinesia, aceruloplasminemia, and on the predisposition to stroke.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\n

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Dr. Stefan Strack<\/h4>\n

Professor and Vice Chair of the Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa<\/h5>\n

Born and raised in Germany, Dr. Stefan Strack is Professor and Vice Chair of the Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology at the University of Iowa. His team develops new mouse models and leverages existing ones to find treatments for neurological disorders. His recent preclinical work on a rare neurodevelopmental disorder sparked an ongoing phase 2 clinical trial that is co-sponsored by a nonprofit foundation and the drug manufacturer. His team also pursues autosomal-dominant (SCA12) and - recessive ataxias (ARSACS). The la\udbc0\udda9er work has been funded by the Canadian ARSACS foundation since 2015. Currently, his team is 1) creating new ARSACS mouse models, 2) repurposing drugs that are nearing FDA approval for other disorders and 3) delivering full-length Sacsin into the brain for gene therapy.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\n

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Dr. Francesca Maltecca<\/h4>\n

Ospedale San Raffaele Scientific Institute<\/h5>\n

Dr. Francesca Maltecca has a background in human genetics, with specialized training and expertise in inherited cerebellar ataxias, as well as extensive experience in cerebellar physiology and pathology. Her research focuses on dissecting the molecular mechanisms underlying inherited cerebellar ataxias, particularly those with primary or secondary mitochondrial origins, and extends to other neurodegenerative disorders, including dominant optic atrophy and multiple sclerosis. She has published seminal works on the pathogenesis of SCA28, SPAX5, and ARSACS. She is a member of the Ataxia Global Initiative, where she has co-coordinated the working group dedicated to preclinical trials in mouse models of ataxia for three years. Additionally, she is part of an international research consortium (Treat- ARCA) focused on drug development for recessive ataxias, funded by the European Joint Program for Rare Diseases. She has been recognized twice with the Young Investigator Award for Spinocerebellar Ataxia Research by the National Ataxia Foundation (US). Her expertise spans human genetics, cell biology, neurobiology, and mouse model phenotyping.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\n

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Dr. Justin Wolter<\/h4>\n

Assistant Professor Genetics Department,\u00a0 University of Wisconsin<\/h5>\n

Dr. Wolter is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Genetics at the University of Wisconsin- Madison. His lab focuses on molecular mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental disorders and\u00a0 neurodegenerative diseases. His team collaborates with many ARSACS researchers around the world, with the goal of developing data driven therapeutic strategies for ARSACS.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\n

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Dr. Esther Becker<\/h4>\n

Professor of Translational Neuroscience,\u00a0 University of Oxford<\/h5>\n

Dr. Becker obtained her MSc in Medical Biology from the University of Amsterdam before completing her PhD at Harvard Medical School, where she worked under the supervision of Professor Azad Bonni on signalling mechanisms regulating neuronal cell death. Following her PhD, she moved to Oxford to work with Professor Dame Kay Davies, supported by a fellowship from the Human Frontier Science Program. Her postdoctoral work characterized the Moonwalker mouse, a novel mouse model of cerebellar ataxia. In 2010, she was awarded a Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Research Fellowship to establish her independent research programme on the genetic and molecular basis of cerebellar ataxia.<\/p>\n

Dr. Becker is currently Professor of Translational Neuroscience in the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences at the University of Oxford and a Fellow at Reuben College. Her group investigates the mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative cerebellar disorders with the ultimate aim to advance therapeutic strategies. The Becker group is one of the pioneers in developing cerebellar organoids from human induced pluripotent stem cells for cerebellar disease modelling. In 2025, she received a Rare Disease Scholar Award from the Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre. She currently serves as the President of the Society for Research on the Cerebellum and Ataxias.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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Register Now<\/h1>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\n
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