ICAR 2024: Advancing Ataxia Research and Inspiring Progress in SCA3/MJD Therapies

The International Congress for Ataxia Research (ICAR) 2024 took place from Nov 12-15 in London (UK). This biannual congress brought together more than 600 researchers and lay people from all world regions. The program covered numerous topics ranging from cerebellar development over molecular disease mechanisms to biomarker development and current therapeutic trials. ESMI investigators presented their work in numerous, well received oral and poster presentations. Of particular interest were the sessions on therapy with new experimental approaches, results from various rehabilitation trials, and first safety and efficacy data from an antisense oligonucleotide-trial in SCA3. Overall, ICAR 2024 allowed a cautiously optimistic view of future progress in the ataxia field and strengthened the motivation of the ESMI investigators to continue their joint efforts to pave the way towards successful clinical trials in SCA3/MJD.