Request for Symposia: Peter Brooks International RLS State of the Science Conference 2026

The RLS Foundation is in the process of planning the program for the Peter Brooks International RLS State of the Science Conference to be held at the Washington Dulles Hilton Hotel from September 23-26, 2026. The planning committee has proposed several broad topic areas for 90–120-minute symposia (see the list below).

Since this meeting is an opportunity to highlight the cutting edge of basic and clinical scientific inquiry, we invite the RLS research community to propose symposia topics with 3-4 potential presenters for consideration. Proposals do not need to follow the topic areas listed below. All basic and clinical RLS science presentations, as well as symposia that combine these approaches are of interest. Innovative proposals that connect RLS with other areas of basic and/or clinical research are also highly encouraged. At this point, we are seeking pre-proposals submissions of the intended symposia or presentations (titles and tentative speakers) only, with a due date of December 31, 2025. The RLSF Scientific and Medical Advisory Board will then review the submissions and contact the selected speakers / symposium chairs to request the finalized topics and titles by March 31, 2026 (final due date).

Proposal submissions should include the following:

1. Symposia title with a brief description of the session focus and learning objectives (limited to one paragraph).
2. Individual presentation topics/titles
3. Name and affiliation of each presenter.

Participation fees for symposium chairs and speakers will be waived and, pending funding support, presenters may be eligible for an additional discount for lodging or partial travel reimbursements.

All pre-proposals should be submitted by December 31, 2025 to Stefan Clemens (clemenss@ecu.edu) and copied to Karla Dzienkowski (karla@rls.org) and Adrianna Colucci (adrianna@rls.org).

If you have any questions, please contact the RLS Foundation Executive Director Karla Dzienkowski at karla@rls.org.

Examples of suggested symposia topics (non-exclusive):

• RLS over the last 20 years (basic and clinical research & practice)
• Epidemiology and genetics in the clinic
• The connection between RLS and PLMS
• The role of animal models in RLS
• The role of iron and dopamine systems in RLS
• The role of adenosine and glutamatergic systems in RLS
• Opioids and THC in RLS
• Emerging new treatment options, pharmacological and nonpharmacological
• Pediatric RLS and associated conditions
• Pregnancy and women's health and RLS
• Funding for RLS and sleep & circadian research (US, International, NGO, Gov’t)
• Other symposia topics for submission