Center of Medical Genetics (UZA)/University of Antwerp (UA) to host the Third Conference on ADNP-related and other Neurodevelopmental Disorders (9–11 September 2026)
From Wednesday 9 September until Friday 11 September 2026, the University of Antwerp will host the Third Conference on ADNP-related and other Neurodevelopmental Disorders. This biannual scientific meeting will bring together researchers, clinicians, patient organisations and families working on Helsmoortel–Van der Aa syndrome (HVDAS) and related neurodevelopmental disorders. The conference is organised around the theme of understanding the genetic, molecular and clinical mechanisms underlying rare neurodevelopmental conditions, with a strong emphasis on translational research and on the bridge between fundamental discovery and patient care.
The meeting will provide an international platform for discussing advances in gene discovery, functional disease modelling, biomarker development and therapeutic strategies, while also fostering direct interaction between scientists and the patient community. As in previous editions, the programme includes a dedicated patient community day, underlining the strong translational and patient-oriented character of ADNP research in Antwerp. The conference also reflects the central role of the Centre of Medical Genetics Antwerp in the discovery and continued study of Helsmoortel–Van der Aa syndrome.
Conference title
Third Conference on ADNP-related and other Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Date
9–11 September 2026
Location
University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
A selection of renowned speakers includes:
- Illana Gozes (Tel Aviv, Israel)
- Joseph D. Buxbaum (New York, USA)
- Michelina D’Armiento (Rome, Italy)
- Marc Bühler (Basel, Switzerland)
- Raymond Poot (Rotterdam, the Netherlands)
- David Segal (UC Davis, California, USA)
- Brian Hendrich (Exeter, United Kingdom)
- Hans van Bokhoven (Nijmegen, the Netherlands)
- Giuseppe Testa (Milan, Italy)
- Claudio D’Incal (University of Antwerp, Belgium)
- Lusine Harutyunyan (University of Antwerp, Belgium)
- Albert Basson (Exeter, United Kingdom)
- Maarten Dhaenens (Ghent, Belgium)
- Zhen Yan (New York, USA)
- Emanuela Pasciuto (VIB and University of Antwerp, Belgium)
- Susann Simensen (Frambu, Norway)
- Jolijn Verseput (Nijmegen, the Netherlands)
- Anke Van Dijck (University of Antwerp, Belgium)
- Nathalie Van der Aa (University of Antwerp, Belgium)
Sponsors
The conference is kindly supported by FWO, the Fondation Jérôme Lejeune, the Summer Neuropeptide Conference, and the University of Antwerp.
More information:
https://www.uantwerpen.be/en/conferences/third-conference-on-adnp-related-and-other-neurodevelopmen…
