29 Apr Locked-in Syndrome International Conference 2026
We are excited to announce the fifth annual Locked-in Syndrome International Conference, which will take place on Monday June 8th, 2026.
The event is free and will be held on Zoom. Researchers from across the world will present international developments in the field of LIS treatments, which can support patients and attempt to ‘unlock’ the locked in. You can learn more about the event schedule and how to register below.
Locked-in syndrome is a rare neurological disorder in which patients are unable to move anything except their eyes, despite being fully conscious. It is an incredibly disabling and isolating condition.
The problem is that fellow sufferers are spread around the world and independent travel is out of question, so always having to be accompanied by a carer makes the costs of travel prohibitive. The Locked-in Syndrome International Conference is an opportunity to meet fellow patients and learn about new assistive technologies and treatments.
How to register
The LiS International Conference is hosted on Zoom. Register via the link below:
Once you have registered, you will be sent the full Programme and Zoom link a few weeks prior to the event.
You can join the webinar at any time throughout the day (you don’t need to attend every session). And if you miss some presentations or aren’t able to attend live, don’t worry – all presentations will be recorded, and registrants will receive a link to view the recording after the event.
Schedule
All times are in UK time (BST / UTC+01:00).
Conversion to Australian time zones are as follows: AEST = add 9hrs; ACST = add 8hr 30min; ACWST = add 7hr 45 min; AWST = add 7hr.
Example: 10.00am in BST = 7.00pm AEST; 6.30pm ACST; 5.45pm ACWST; 5.00pm AWST.
- 10.00 — Welcome and introduction by Hosts (Shannan and Bouke)
- 10.05 — Song by LiS Marie-Therese Khan (Australia); her 100 reasons why Life Is Great
- 10.10 — LiS Howard Wicks (UK)
- 10.30 — Prof Damien Coyle; Brain/Computer Interface (UK)
- 11.00 — LiS Katalin & Karl (Hungary)
- 11.30 — Fernando Vidal; Legal rights and issues for LiS (Spain)
- 12.00 — Feedback and Discussion of morning Presentations
12.15-13.00 — 45 min Lunch break; Interview/chat with Bouke & Shannan about the LiS book.
Music composed by Dick van der Heijde.
Music composed by Helen Flunder (UK)
- 13.00 — Welcome back by Hosts (Shannan and Bouke)
- 13.05 — LiS Dick van der Heijde; Creating music (Netherlands)
- 13.30 — Jeroen Lansbergen, Focal Meditech; Assistive devices (Netherlands)
- 14.00 — James Brinton; Communication technology (USA)
- 14.30 — Stefan Carmien; Communication device (USA)
- 15.00 — Open Discussion with Hosts and farewell ’til next year
The Brain Foundation is dedicated to funding the next generation of Australian research into brain disorders, diseases, and injuries, with the ultimate goal of advancing diagnoses, treatments, and patient outcomes.