The 3rd International ALS Congress “Manolo Barrós” to Be Held in La Roda (Albacete) Under the Presidency of Her Majesty Queen Sofía

• The Reina Sofía Foundation, together with CIEN (Center for Research on Neurological Diseases) and the Town Council of La Roda, has organized this third edition of the Congress, which has already become a benchmark event in ALS research.

Congress, which has already become a benchmark event in ALS research.

Madrid, June 10, 2026.On June 22 and 23, the town of La Roda, in the province of Albacete, will become the focal point for scientific debate and awareness-raising on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), as it hosts the3^rdInternational ALS Congress “Manolo Barrós.”

Organized by the Reina Sofía Foundation, the CIEN Foundation (Center for Research on Neurological Diseases), and the Town Council of La Roda, with the close collaboration of the Regional Government of Castilla-La Mancha and the Provincial Council of Albacete, the Congress has established itself as a key initiative in the fight against a neurodegenerative disease that still has no cure.

World-renowned experts, researchers, healthcare professionals, and associations representing people living with ALS and their families will gather for this two-day event, which aims not only to promote the exchange of knowledge and experiences but also to advance research and raise public awareness about the realities of this condition.

ALS is a neurodegenerative disease that affects the neurons responsible for movement. Its symptoms lead to the progressive paralysis of most muscles, and life expectancy is, in the vast majority of cases, less than five years. It is estimated that between 4,000 and 4,500 people are currently living with the disease in Spain.

Queen Sofía’s Commitment to Neurodegenerative Disease Research

The Congress will be presided over by Her Majesty Queen Sofía, who has consistently demonstrated her commitment to research and awareness initiatives concerning neurodegenerative diseases. During the event, the latest advances in ALS research will be presented and discussed, together with strategies for addressing a disease that remains incurable.

The meeting is part of the “Manolo Barrós” Project, an initiative of the Reina Sofía Foundation focused on identifying diagnostic biomarkers for ALS through the study of extracellular vesicles. Funded by the Reina Sofía Foundation, the project is carried out through CIEN in collaboration with the German universities of Bonn and Cologne.

According to María Ángeles Pérez, Managing Director of the CIEN Foundation, these sessions “are of vital importance in fostering collaboration among researchers and healthcare professionals, as well as promoting the exchange of knowledge and strategies in the global fight against ALS.” She also expressed her gratitude for the involvement of the municipality of La Roda in organizing the event, noting that “the entire town, led by its mayor, has wholeheartedly supported this Congress, from small businesses to public institutions, demonstrating an exemplary commitment to research and science.”

A Mayor’s Commitment to the Fight Against ALS

The Mayor of La Roda, Juan Ramón Amores, explained that the Congress is being held in the town after he personally asked Queen Sofía, during the second edition of the event in Madrid, for the third edition to take place in La Roda.

Amores emphasized that “research is essential; the ALS Law helps provide care, but without research there is no future.” He also highlighted the significance of the Royal Family’s presence in the municipality, stating that “this will be the first visit by a member of the Royal Family to my town; I do not understand how no one had come before.”

In this regard, he added: “In life, one must have dreams, aspirations, and projects, and in my case, my goal is to help my town.” The mayor concluded by noting that “for Almería or Madrid this may be just another event, but for La Roda it is the event of the year, and we are going to take great care of it.”

A Congress Supported by All Institutions

The President of the Provincial Council of Albacete, Santiago Cabañero, stressed that La Roda has earned the right to host this Congress through years of transforming sensitivity toward ALS into collective commitment.

“Here, research finds a society that listens, institutions that provide support, and families that have never stopped fighting. This Congress brings together the very best of that alliance between science, humanity, and hope.”

He also stated that the Provincial Council will continue to provide support wherever it can be useful, working alongside associations and backing research as an essential tool for opening new paths toward the future.

“Every scientific advance represents another opportunity for those awaiting answers, and investing in research means investing in dignity, quality of life, and hope.”

Likewise, the Regional Government of Castilla-La Mancha, represented by Provincial Health Delegate Juani García, reaffirmed the commitment of the Castilla-La Mancha Government to people diagnosed with ALS in the region. She highlighted several measures and grants being implemented by the administration of President Emiliano García-Page, including the introduction of the Grade III Plus Dependency Status, direct financial assistance aimed at improving quality of life, and the development of multidisciplinary consultation services.

For his part, Pascual Sánchez Juan, Scientific Director of CIEN, explained that one of the main objectives of the Congress is to bring research closer to the public.

“The idea is to make the latest advances in the field of neurodegenerative diseases accessible to society as a whole, taking them beyond hospitals and universities and bringing them closer to the general public, based on the principles of precision medicine,” he stated.

The Congress programme will bring together leading national and international specialists in a series of scientific sessions focused on the most recent advances in ALS research, as well as new therapeutic strategies and patient care approaches.

In addition, the event will provide a prominent platform for the perspectives of associations and family members of people living with ALS, reinforcing the scientific, social, and human dimensions of a meeting that seeks to continue advancing research, collaboration, and public awareness in the fight against this disease.