ATLANTA, Ga. – November 10, 2026 – Today marks the opening of the largest-ever scientific conference on ataxia research — the International Congress for Ataxia Research (ICAR) is welcoming 600 attendees. The Atlanta-based conference runs through November 13 and will be a comprehensive scientific review of new research into the ataxias, covering topics from advances in genetics and disease mechanisms to therapeutics approaches, as well as a debate on emerging ataxia research topics. ICAR represents a strong collaboration between global advocacy organizations focused on advancing research for ataxia, including co-hosts Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA), National Ataxia Foundation (NAF), Ataxia UK, and Ataxia Global Initiative (AGI).
The conference will cover the latest research on Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) and other recessive ataxias, Spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA), and other dominant ataxias and autoimmune ataxias. It will include plenary sessions, parallel sessions, workshops, and poster sessions. Reflecting this year’s theme, Ataxias and Beyond: Shared Pathways, Shared Progress, the program will also feature investigators studying DNA repeat disorders and other rare genetic conditions, creating opportunities to share insights across related areas of research.
ICAR 2026 will open with a welcome address from Bill Nye, American science educator, engineer, television presenter, inventor, and New York Times bestselling author. This year’s keynote speaker, Timothy Miller, MD, PhD, Vice Chair of Research for the Department of Neurology and Co-Director of the ALS Center at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, will speak about RNA-targeted therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.
“We are proud to partner with our fellow ataxia research advocacy organizations to host this important meeting,” said Jennifer Farmer, CEO of FARA. “There is tremendous momentum in ataxia research, from the lab bench to the clinic, and ICAR gives the field an opportunity not only to share and access emerging research in real time, but also to exchange the insights and learnings that happen uniquely when we come together in person.”
Attendees will come from 29 countries and consist of academic, clinical, and industry researchers with an interest in ataxia research and drug development, as well as representatives from global ataxia advocacy groups.
“ICAR brings together the expertise and collaboration needed to translate scientific discoveries into potential treatments,” said NAF CEO Andrew Rosen. “By sharing findings and building partnerships across the global ataxia community, we can help accelerate drug development and move promising therapies closer to the people who need them. That shared commitment gives us tremendous hope for the future.”
Ataxia UK CEO Sue Millman agreed, saying, “Attending this conference always fills me with hope for the future of ataxia research. The combination of its increasing attendance, and the many and varied research papers and posters coupled with the enthusiasm of the attendees, together with the increasing research pipeline, demonstrates how far we have come in the last 10 years. The commitment of scientists and clinicians is always very evident and shows the many people across the world affected by these devastating rare conditions that there are many people pushing for treatments and cures.”
“We are currently witnessing unprecedented progress in research into the mechanisms underlying ataxias, as well as in their diagnosis and development of targeted therapies for ataxias,” added Thomas Klockgether, AGI Steering Committee Chair. “The Ataxia Global Initiative (AGI) is proud to contribute to the organization of ICAR 2026 in Atlanta, which will set another milestone on the path towards improving the lives of people with ataxia.”
Key plenary talks will cover advances in genetics and diagnostics, translating science into therapies, emerging and existing therapeutics, and the voice of people affected by ataxia.
To learn more, please visit ataxiacongress.org.