2026 SPS Symposium
June 13-14
Aurora, CO (Denver area) - University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus & Online
A Global Gathering for Learning, Connection, and Action
Join us in June 2026 for the SPS Symposium, the premier international convening dedicated to Stiff Person Syndrome.
This two-day event brings together patients, caregivers, clinicians, researchers, and advocates from around the world to accelerate progress through shared knowledge and collective purpose.
The 2026 Symposium will build on the momentum of prior years, offering a thoughtful balance of science, lived experience, and community—grounded in rigor, compassion, and forward motion.
The agenda for this event is still being finalized and will be shared soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can attend the Symposium in person at the Sheraton Hartford Hotel at Bradley Airport in Windsor Locks, CT, or attend virtually through Zoom.
No. There is no registration fee to attend the 2025 SPS Symposium.
Yes, travel assistance is available through NORD here.
Download the full agenda here to see what’s in store.
No. There will be no on-site registration. You must pre-register to ensure we can accommodate everyone properly.
Please fly into Bradley International Airport (BDL). The Sheraton Hotel is attached to the airport and only a short walk from baggage claim.
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Bradley International Airport (1.5 miles from the event venue with a free shuttle available).
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Rate: $179/night (plus taxes & fees)
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Booking Deadline: June 20, 2025
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Reservations:
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DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Reservations
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Or call 860-627-5171 and request the 2025 Stiff Person Syndrome Symposium group rate
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Transportation:
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A free shuttle runs between the DoubleTree and the Sheraton Hotel (event venue).
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Yes! Food will be provided on:
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Saturday, July 19: Breakfast and lunch buffet
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Sunday, July 20: Light breakfast and late-morning buffet brunch
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A Zoom link will be emailed to all virtual attendees the day before the event.
If you are no longer able to attend in person (after registering), please let us know by emailing events@stiffperson.org.
Yes! The Symposium will be recorded, and the recording will be made available after the event.
We are happy to help! Please reach out to events@stiffperson.org.
This year, we are honored to welcome COMBINEDBrain to the Symposium.
COMBINEDBrain is a collaborative organization dedicated to accelerating the development of treatments for neurodevelopmental disorders. At the event, they will be collecting biological samples from SPS participants.
Why is this important? The development of effective therapies relies heavily on the availability of de-identified biological samples to help identify biomarkers—biological indicators that can aid in diagnosis, track disease progression, and measure responses to potential treatments.
For rare diseases like SPS, one of the biggest challenges in research is the limited access to patient samples.
The SPS Symposium will be the largest known gathering of individuals with SPS, creating a rare and powerful opportunity to make a real impact.
By contributing a sample, you are directly supporting future treatments and helping pave the way toward a cure. Join COMBINEDBrain's efforts and be part of this groundbreaking step forward in SPS research.
Everything You Need To Know
The 2026 SPS Symposium will feature presentations from leading neurologists and researchers, discussions on emerging treatment strategies, and opportunities to connect with others who understand the challenges of living with SPS.
Location & Venue
The 2026 SPS Symposium will take place in Aurora, Colorado, at the University of Colorado Anschutz, one of the nation’s leading academic medical centers and a hub for clinical innovation, research, and collaboration.
Location
University of Colorado Anschutz Health Sciences Building (Building P12)
Elliman Conference Room
1890 N Revere Court, Aurora, CO 80045
Day & Time
Sat, 6/13 - 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Sun, 61/4 - 8:55 AM - 2:00 PM
Displayed Times are US Mountain Time Zone
Everything You Need To Know
The 2026 SPS Symposium will feature presentations from leading neurologists and researchers, discussions on emerging treatment strategies, and opportunities to connect with others who understand the challenges of living with SPS.
2026 SPS Symposium Presentations
Thank you for joining us for the 2026 SPS Symposium. Whether you attended in person, participated virtually, or are exploring these sessions for the first time, we are pleased to make the symposium presentations and video recordings available to the entire SPS community.
Our goal is for the SPS Symposium to extend far beyond a single weekend. By making these presentations and recordings available, we hope to provide an enduring educational resource for patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and researchers around the world.
The Stiff Person Syndrome Research Foundation Update
Download the presentation (opens as a PDF in a separate browser)
Presenter: Tara Zier, DDS,
Founder & CEO, The Stiff Person Syndrome Research Foundation
Disclaimer: Closed captions are auto-generated by our video hosting service and may not always reflect the spoken dialogue with complete accuracy. The SPSRF team reviews and edits captions on an ongoing basis to improve their quality.
Beyond Symptoms: Understanding SPS
Download the presentation (opens as a PDF in a separate browser)
Presenter: Duarte Machado, MD
Chase Family Movement Disorders Center
Ayer Neuroscience Institute, Hartford Healthcare
Disclaimer: Closed captions are auto-generated by our video hosting service and may not always reflect the spoken dialogue with complete accuracy. The SPSRF team reviews and edits captions on an ongoing basis to improve their quality.
Breaking the Stiffness: Innovation & Hope in SPS
Download the presentation (opens as a PDF in a separate browser)
Presenter: Dr. Amanda Piquet
Director, Autoimmune Neurology Program,
Céline Dion Foundation Endowed Chair in Autoimmune Neurology
Associate Program Director, Neuro-infectious Disease & Autoimmune Neurology Fellowship Professor of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine
Disclaimer: Closed captions are auto-generated by our video hosting service and may not always reflect the spoken dialogue with complete accuracy. The SPSRF team reviews and edits captions on an ongoing basis to improve their quality.
Living with SPS: Patient & Caregiver Perspectives
No presentation for this session
Disclaimer: Closed captions are auto-generated by our video hosting service and may not always reflect the spoken dialogue with complete accuracy. The SPSRF team reviews and edits captions on an ongoing basis to improve their quality.
Promoting Psychological & Behavioral Health in SPS
Download the presentation (opens as a PDF in a separate browser)
Presenter: Abbey J. Hughes, PhD, ABPP-RP
Associate Professor, Rehabilitation Psychologist
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Disclaimer: Closed captions are auto-generated by our video hosting service and may not always reflect the spoken dialogue with complete accuracy. The SPSRF team reviews and edits captions on an ongoing basis to improve their quality.
Part 1 Voice Voice, Your Impact - Presented with Kyverna
Download the presentation (opens as a PDF in a separate browser)
Disclaimer: Closed captions are auto-generated by our video hosting service and may not always reflect the spoken dialogue with complete accuracy. The SPSRF team reviews and edits captions on an ongoing basis to improve their quality.
Part 2 Voice Voice, Your Impact - Presented with Kyverna
Download the material (opens as a PDF in a separate browser)
Disclaimer: Closed captions are auto-generated by our video hosting service and may not always reflect the spoken dialogue with complete accuracy. The SPSRF team reviews and edits captions on an ongoing basis to improve their quality.
The SPSD Global Registry Panel
No presentation for this session
Disclaimer: Closed captions are auto-generated by our video hosting service and may not always reflect the spoken dialogue with complete accuracy. The SPSRF team reviews and edits captions on an ongoing basis to improve their quality.
Part 1 (Saturday) The SPS Expert Panel - Q&As
No presentation for this session
Disclaimer: Closed captions are auto-generated by our video hosting service and may not always reflect the spoken dialogue with complete accuracy. The SPSRF team reviews and edits captions on an ongoing basis to improve their quality.
Advancing the Future of SPS: Registry, Doagnosis, and Beyond
Download the presentation (opens as a PDF in a separate browser)
Presenter: Scott Newsome, DO, MSCS, FAAN, FANA
Professor of NeurologyDirector, Johns Hopkins Stiff Person Syndrome Center of Excellence
Director, Neurosciences Consultation and Infusion Center
Director, Johns Hopkins Neuroimmunology and Neurological Infectious Disease Fellowship
Co-Director, Multiple Sclerosis Experimental Therapeutics Program
Member, Miller-Coulson Academy of Clinical Excellence
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Disclaimer: Closed captions are auto-generated by our video hosting service and may not always reflect the spoken dialogue with complete accuracy. The SPSRF team reviews and edits captions on an ongoing basis to improve their quality.
Why Patients with SPS Have Muscle Stiffness, Spasms, and Anxiety, and How Best to Treat Them
Presentation Slides Not Currently Available
Presenter: Marinos C. Dalakas, M.D. PhD, FAAN
Professor of Neurology,
Director, Neuromuscular Division and Clinical Neuroimmunology
Thomas Jefferson University, USA
Disclaimer: Closed captions are auto-generated by our video hosting service and may not always reflect the spoken dialogue with complete accuracy. The SPSRF team reviews and edits captions on an ongoing basis to improve their quality.
Laboratory Assessment of SPSD: Current and Future Practices
Download the presentation (opens as a PDF in a separate browser)
Presenter: Andrew McKeon, MD
Co-Director Neuroimmunology LaboratoryMayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
Disclaimer: Closed captions are auto-generated by our video hosting service and may not always reflect the spoken dialogue with complete accuracy. The SPSRF team reviews and edits captions on an ongoing basis to improve their quality.
Part 2 (Sunday) The SPS Expert Panel - Q&As
No presentation for this session
Disclaimer: Closed captions are auto-generated by our video hosting service and may not always reflect the spoken dialogue with complete accuracy. The SPSRF team reviews and edits captions on an ongoing basis to improve their quality.
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