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Event

7th International Symposium on ARSACS

Thursday, October 19, 2023 15:00toFriday, October 20, 2023 15:30

Montreal Neurological Institute Jeanne Timmins Amphitheatre, 3801 rue University, Montreal, QC, H3A 2B4, CA

The 7^th International Symposium on Autosomal Spastic Recessive Ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay (ARSACS) is a great opportunity to learn about the latest advancements in ARSACS research and to exchange with participants to further advance knowledge that could lead to treatments. ARSACS is a rare neurological disorder found not only in the province of Quebec, but several cases have been reported in several countries.

The symposium is a free scientific and collaborative event open to anyone who is interested in rare neurological diseases. The main objectives of the symposium are to bring together all research stakeholders, neurologists, clinicians, students, patients and their families as well as the public and to provide a unique opportunity for discovery and discussion.

Special invitation to the participants of the World Congress of Neurology (WCN) to join us at the 7^th ARSACS International Symposium to be held at The Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital) on October 19 -20, 2023. The first day of the symposium begins at 3 p.m. EDT, the day will end with a Cocktail and Poster session. The Neuro is at walking distance from the Palais des Congrès de Montréal. We look forward to seeing you there!

Registration LINK

Livestreaming link ( Q&A via online live form)

Call for Posters

Sharing Science and Knowledge

Young scientists and PI's across Quebec and internationally are invited to share their research at the ARSACS Symposium. Trainees at the undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral level are welcome to present their work. The poster session will take place in-person.

Please submit your abstract of less than 150 words here . Abstracts should contain: 1) name of author & affiliation, 2) name of co-authors & affiliation, 3) title of abstract, 4) abstract. The submission deadline is July 17, 2023.

Abstracts will be reviewed by the scientific program committee. Authors will be notified whether their submission will be accepted or not by August 5, 2023.

Program

Download Program

*All times are EST

Download Booklet

Thursday, October 19, 2023

3:00	Opening Remarks Sonia Gobeil, Ataxia Charlevoix- Saguenay Foundation
3:10	Session 1: From Biomarkers to Treatment in ARSACS Chair: Anne McKinney, PhD, McGill University Magnetic Resonance Imaging biomarkers in ARSACS Sirio Cocozza, MD, PhD, University of Naples, Italy Mitochondria & Cytoskeletal Dysfunction in ARSACS Mohan Babu, PhD, University of Regina, Canada Exploring the Role of Genetic and Epigenetic Modifiers in ARSACS Daniele Galatolo, PhD, University of Pisa, Italy Charting the Molecular and Cellular Progression of ARSACS Justin Wolter, PhD, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA Question Period
4:25	Refreshment pause
4:35	Keynote: Lessons from SCA2 Stefan M Pulst, MD, PhD, University of Utah, USA
5:35-7:00	Cocktail & Poster session (onsite)

Friday, October 20, 2023

8:00	Opening Remarks Nicolas Dupré, MD, PhD, CHU de Québec-Laval University, Canada
8:15	Session 2: Cellular Dysfunction in ARSACS Mohan Babu, PhD, University of Regina, Canada Does ARSACS Degeneration Proceed Through a SARM1-Dependent Pathway? Thomas Schwarz, PhD, Harvard University, USA Restoring Calcium Homeostasis in Purkinje Cells Arrests Neurodegeneration and Neuroinflammation in the ARSACS Mouse Model Francesca Maltecca, PhD, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Italy The Role of Sacsin on Glial Cells Federico Herrera, PhD, University of Lisbon, Portugal Metabolic Rewiring in Cellular Models of ARSACS Paul Chapple, PhD, Queen Mary University of London, UK Question Period
9:15	Refreshment Pause
9:25	Session 3: Improvements in Treatment for ARSACS Patients Chair: Nicolas Dupré, CHU de Québec-Laval University, Canada How Natural History Studies Contribute to the Development and Assessment of Interventions Cynthia Gagnon, PhD, Sherbrooke University, Canada Development and Evaluation of the Efficacy of a Home Rehabillitation Program Aiming to Increase Motor Control, Balance, Mobility, Falls and Activities of Daily Living in People with ARSACS Élise Duchesne, PHT, PhD. University of Quebec at Chicoutimi, Canada A Physiatrist Guide to ARSACS Josée Larochelle, MD, paediatric physiatrist, CHU Ste Justine, Canada New Developments in the Treatment of Communication Difficulties in Progressive Ataxias Anja Lowit, PhD, Strathclyde University, Glasgow (Virtual) Question Period
10:10	Refreshment Pause
10:30	Session 4: Question Period with ARSACS Patients, their Carers, and Partners Chair: Cynthia Gagnon, PhD, Sherbrooke University, Canada Betsy Trainor, ARSACS Foundation Board of Directors, Attorney, parent, Virginia, USA Olivier Jérôme, CATALIS Québec, Canada Claudia Maltais, ARSACS, Canada (Virtual) Kymberly Hoffman, ARSACS, USA
11:30	Keynote: Cerebellar Modelling using Human IPSCs Esther Becker, PhD, MSc, University of Oxford, UK
12:30	Lunch Pause (onsite, lunch provided)
1:30	Session 5: The Biochemistry of Sacsin Chair: Francesca Maltecca, PhD, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Italy Towards Determining the Structure of Sacsin Walid Houry, PhD, University of Toronto, Canada Leveraging Proteomics to Understand Sacsin Biology Nevan Krogan, PhD, University of California at San Fransisco, USA (Virtual) Understanding the Role of Metals in ARSACS Andrew Crawford, PhD, Michigan State University, USA Question Period
2:15	Session 6: From Animal Models to Clinical Translation Chair: Justin Wolter, PhD, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA Exploring and Treating Cognitive Dysmetria in a Mouse Model of ARSACS Stefan Strack, PhD, University of Iowa, USA Novel Therapeutic Approaches for ARSACS Alanna Watt, PhD, McGill University, Canada Sacsin: from Domains’ Functions to Biomarkers and Therapy Ana Buj Bell, PhD, Genethon, France (Virtual) Benoit Gentil, PhD, McGill University, Canada Question Period
3:00 3:30	Round Table - Summary & Next Steps Discussion Leaders: Nicolas Dupré Federico Herrera Anne McKinney Betsy Trainor Justin Wolter Closing remarks Alanna Watt, PhD, McGill University, Canada

Location

The Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital is at 3801 University Street, north of Pine Avenue West, on the McGill University campus opposite the former Royal Victoria Hospital.

Montreal is served by highway Routes 10, 15, 20 and 40, and by Greyhound Bus, ViaRail and the P-E-Trudeau airport. In the city, bus and metro service is provided by the Société de transport de Montréal (STM).

Wheelchair access

A wheelchair accessible entrance is on University Street north of the main entrance. Another wheelchair accessible entrance is in the loading area behind the building: to enter the loading area, turn into the driveway south of the main entrance. Please note, there is no parking in the loading area.

Parking

Parking near the MNI is sometimes difficult. There are parking meters on University Street and a parking lot north of the main entrance. To enter the lot, turn right into the driveway toward Molson Stadium.

Information about parking fees

Taxi Stand

There is a taxi stand on University Street across from the main entrance. You may call a cab from the free taxi phone in the main lobby near the Security Desk.

Access by Public Transportation (STM website)

Bus

There are four bus stops within walking distance:

Bus 144 stops at Pine Avenue and University Street
Bus 356 stops at Sherbrooke Street and University Street (Nightbus)
Bus 107 stops at Pine Avenue and Docteur Penfield
Bus 24 stops at Sherbrooke Street and University Street

Metro

Take the Metro Green Line to the McGill station. Walk north on University Street and cross Pine Avenue. The main entrance is on the right, past the flags.

Jeanne Timmins Amphitheatre

Enter main lobby turn left and go down the hallway to the end.
Turn right and go down the second hallway until you see another hallway on the left.
This hallway leads to the Jeanne Timmins Foyer.
On your right are the Jeanne Timmins Amphitheatre entrance doors.