The 2026 Dystonia Think Tank meeting, hosted by the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases and Tyler’s Hope for a Dystonia Cure, will take place in Gainesville, FL on April 24. This annual event brings together researchers and clinicians who work on dystonia to explore cutting-edge scientific discoveries, develop innovative therapeutic strategies, and enhance interdisciplinary care models.
We want your feedback! Please share your thoughts on the 2026 Dystonia Think Tank and let us know how the event went.
Breakfast: 7:00-8:00 AM
8:00–10:00 AM
Basic Science Session
Session Moderator: Yuqing Li, Ph.D.
Session speaker
Mohammad Moshahid Khan, Ph.D
Title: Beyond the Gene: Microbiome Contributions to DYT1 Dystonia Pathobiology
session speaker
Hyder (Buz) Jinnah, M.D., Ph.D.
Title: Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells for Inherited Dystonias
session speaker
Meike van der Heijden, Ph.D.
Title: Cerebellar Signals in Dystonia
10:30 AM–12:30 PM
Clinical Session
Session Moderator: Aparna Wagle Shukla, M.D.
Session Speaker
Nutan Sharma, M.D., Ph.D.
Title: Biomarkers in Genetics forms of Dystonia
session speaker
Michael Kruer, M.D.
Title: Potential utility of local field potentials in DBS for early-onset dystonia
session speaker
Ian Bledsoe, M.D.
Title: Functional Imaging in DBS for Dystonia – a Preliminary View
Lunch: 12:30-1:30 PM
1:30–3:30 PM
Gene Therapy Session
Session Moderator: Mark Moehle, Ph.D.
Session Speaker
Koen Breyne, Ph.D.
Title: Therapeutic Genome Editing for Genetic Dystonia
session speaker
Christian Schlieker, Ph.D.
Title: Aberrant Phase Transitions in DYT1 Dystonia
session speaker
Nicole Calakos, M.D., Ph.D.
Title: In search of disease-modifying treatments for dystonia: Update on efforts to develop small molecule ISR modulators
