¶ International Parkinson and Movement Disorders Society (MDS)
The International Parkinson and Movement Disorders Society (MDS) is a global professional society dedicated to the study and treatment of movement disorders, including Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and other neurodegenerative conditions affecting movement.
| Attribute |
Details |
| Organization Name |
International Parkinson and Movement Disorders Society |
| Abbreviation |
MDS |
| Founded |
1990 (as Movement Disorders Society) |
| Headquarters |
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA |
| Focus |
Movement disorders research and clinical care |
| Members |
10,000+ neurologists, researchers, healthcare professionals worldwide |
| Official Journal |
Movement Disorders |
| Official Journal: Clinical Practice |
Movement Disorders Clinical Practice |
MDS aims to:
- Advance the understanding of movement disorders pathophysiology and treatment
- Promote research and clinical care for PSP and related conditions
- Educate healthcare professionals and trainees
- Support patients and families affected by movement disorders
- Establish evidence-based clinical guidelines
¶ Key Programs and Activities
The MDS Annual International Congress is the premier gathering for movement disorders specialists worldwide:
- Features dedicated PSP and atypical parkinsonism sessions
- Presents clinical trials updates and breakthrough research
- Provides networking opportunities for PSP researchers
- Attended by 5,000+ delegates annually
The society supports clinical and research fellowships:
- Movement Disorders Fellowship Program
- International Congress Travel Grants
- Young Investigator Awards
MDS publishes evidence-based guidelines including:
- MDS Consensus Criteria for PSP 1
- Parkinson's disease diagnostic criteria
- Rating scales for movement disorders (MDS-UPDRS)
MDS has dedicated groups for:
- PSP and atypical parkinsonism
- Tauopathies
- Clinical trials methodology
- Neuroimaging
- Genetics
- MDS-Web: Online continuing medical education
- Movement Disorders Journal: Peer-reviewed research
- Clinical Practice Guidelines
- Case teaching modules
MDS is the primary professional organization for PSP researchers and clinicians:
| Contribution |
Description |
| Research Collaboration |
International PSP genetics and biomarker studies |
| Clinical Guidelines |
MDS criteria for PSP diagnosis and staging |
| Education |
Annual congress sessions dedicated to PSP |
| Advocacy |
Support for PSP research funding initiatives |
MDS is governed by:
- President: Leadership rotates among international members
- Executive Committee: Sets strategic direction
- Regional Sections: MDS Americas, MDS Europe, MDS Asia-Pacific, MDS Pan-Americas
-
MDS Consensus Criteria (2017): Established revised diagnostic criteria for PSP, improving diagnostic sensitivity 1
-
MDS-UPDRS: Developed the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, now the gold standard for PD clinical trials
-
International PSP Genetics Consortium: Supported large-scale genetic studies identifying PSP risk genes
-
TauRx Trials: Published pivotal papers on tau-targeting therapeutics in Movement Disorders journal
Despite significant progress in understanding Parkinson's disease pathogenesis, numerous key questions remain unanswered. Addressing these questions is essential for developing disease-modifying therapies and improving early diagnosis.
- What are the exact mechanisms of prion-like propagation of alpha-synuclein pathology?
- How does cell-to-cell transmission differ between sporadic and genetic forms of PD?
- Can we develop therapies that block propagation without disrupting normal synaptic function?
- What is the therapeutic window for LRRK2 kinase inhibition in PD patients?
- How do GBA variants influence disease progression and treatment response?
- Are there protective genetic factors that could be therapeutically mimicked?
¶ Biomarkers and Early Detection
- What is the optimal combination of biomarkers for early PD diagnosis?
- Can we identify individuals at risk decades before clinical symptoms appear?
- How do we differentiate PD from other parkinsonian disorders using biomarkers?
- What are the optimal timing windows for disease-modifying interventions?
- How do we develop combination therapies that target multiple pathological pathways?
- What endpoints should be used in clinical trials for early-stage PD?
- What is the relationship between sleep disorders and PD pathogenesis?
- How does autonomic dysfunction relate to alpha-synuclein pathology?
- Can treating non-motor symptoms slow overall disease progression?
- What is the role of the microbiome in PD susceptibility and progression?
- How does intestinal permeability affect alpha-synuclein aggregation?
- Could gut-targeted interventions modify PD progression?