The 2026 CMDS Congress will bring together clinicians, researchers, trainees, and allied health professionals from across Canada to advance the field of movement disorders. The program will feature updates across the field and dedicated sessions exploring key CMDS initiatives, including advocacy for access to treatments and diagnostic testing in Canada, development of Canadian clinical practice guidelines, and establishment of a Canadian clinical trials network.
We invite abstract submissions that reflect the breadth of movement disorders research and clinical practice.
Submission Dates
- Abstract submission opens: June 15, 2026
- Abstract submission deadline: September 15, 2026
- Notification of acceptance: October 7th, 2026
- Confirmation of Participation & Reg Deadline: October 30, 2026
Topics of Interest
Abstracts are welcomed across all areas of movement disorders, including but not limited to:
- Parkinson’s disease and atypical parkinsonisms
- Huntington’s disease and chorea
- Dystonia, tremor, tics, and other hyperkinetic movement disorders
- Hereditary and degenerative ataxias
- Functional movement disorders
- Deep brain stimulation and neuromodulation
- Other device-aided therapies
- Novel therapeutics and clinical trials
- Basic science and translational research
- Neuroimaging and biomarkers in movement disorders
- Quality of life and patient-centred outcomes
- Advocacy, health policy, and access to care
Presentation Formats
Accepted abstracts will be considered for either oral presentation or poster presentation. Submitters may indicate a preference; final format decisions rest with the Scientific Committee.
- Oral presentations will be presented on the morning of Saturday, December 5th for 10 minutes each with 5 minutes for Q&A
- Poster presentations will consist of a physical poster measuring no larger than 6 ft wide by 3 ft high which will be on display for both days of the conference.
Who May Submit
Submissions are welcome from:
- Physicians and physician trainees (Residents, Fellows and Medical Students)
- Basic and translational researchers
- Nursing and Allied Health professionals
Multiple submissions per individual are permitted. The presenting author must be registered for the congress at the time of presentation.
Abstract Requirements
- Word limit: 300 words, excluding title and authors
- Structure: Abstracts must follow the structured format: Background, Methods, Results, Conclusions
- Figures/tables: not permitted
- Language: English and French
- Work in progress: Preliminary data is acceptable
- Previously published or presented abstracts are acceptable.
Review Process
All abstracts will undergo peer review by the CMDS Organizing Committee. Abstracts will be evaluated on:
- Scientific merit and methodological rigour
- Originality and novelty
- Relevance to movement disorders
- Clarity of presentation
Conflict of Interest
All submitters are required to disclose relevant conflicts of interest, including relationships with pharmaceutical, device, or biotechnology companies. This is particularly important for abstracts involving funded research or emerging therapeutics in movement disorders.
Questions?
Inquiries related to the abstract processes should be routed as follows: