6th Annual MS and CNS Neuroimmunology Symposium

Neurons, abstract

This symposium will provide health care professionals the information needed to identify, refer, treat and/or implement practice changes to improve the care of patients with neuroimmunological disorders. Specific disorders discussed this year include multiple sclerosis management updates, functional electrical stimulation devices for multiple sclerosis, expanded treatment options for myasthenia gravis, GABAA receptor antibody-associated encephalitis diagnosis and treatment, and new therapies for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders.

Who should attend
Neurologists, neuroimmunologists, rheumatologists, ophthalmologists, neurosurgeons, physicians, nurse practitioners, rehabilitation including physical and occupational therapists, researchers, and other medical professionals in the field of neuroimmunological disorders are invited to attend.

Learning objectives

Upon the completion of attending the 6th Annual MS and CNS Neuroimmunology Symposium attendees will be able to:

  • Understand current evidence and controversies around induction versus escalation therapy in the treatment of RRMS and the discontinuation of disease-modifying therapies in advanced MS.
  • Comprehend basic gait kinematics and kinetics in relation to rehab technology, and understand rehab technology as applied to mobility limitations both current and potential for future.
  • Understand the indications, mechanism, and efficacy of Efgartigimod alpha-fcab and eculizumab for the treatment of myasthenia gravis, and describe pitfalls and challenges posed by escalation or de-escalation of therapy.
  • Review the clinical phenotype, diagnosis, and treatment paradigms for GABA-A Receptor Encephalitis and other antibody mediated encephalitis disorders.
  • Review the diagnostic criteria for Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder, highlighting the clinical and radiologic characteristics that differentiate it from other demyelinating conditions of the central nervous system, and discuss current and future therapies for Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder.

Agenda

Download the agenda

8:30 a.m. Opening remarks 
Vijayshree Yadav, MD, MCR, FANA, FAAN 
Department of Neurology, OHSU and VA Portland Health Care System 

8:45 a.m. Overtreat, Undertreat and Other Controversies in Multiple Sclerosis Treatment 
Annette Langer Gould, MD, PhD 
Southern California Permanente Medical Group, Kaiser Permanente 

9:35 a.m. Rehabilitation Technology: Current State and Future Promise 
Jeff Schlimgen, PT, NCS 
Carly Lochala, DPT, NCS 
Department of Rehabilitation, OHSU 

10:25 a.m. Break/Exhibit Hall 

10:45 a.m. Emerging Treatment Options for Myasthenia Gravis 
Yaowaree “Noona” Leavell, M.D. 
Department of Neurology, OHSU and VA Portland Health Care System 

11:35 a.m. GABAA Receptor Antibody-Associated Encephalitis Diagnosis and Treatment: A Case-Based Presentation 
Cole N. Crowson, M.D. 
Department of Neurology, OHSU and VA Portland Health Care System 

12:25 p.m. Lunch break/Exhibit Hall 

1:05 p.m. New Therapies for Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders: A Case-Based Presentation 
Carolina Garcia Garcia, D.O. 
Department of Neurology, OHSU and VA Portland Health Care System 

1:55 p.m. Closing remarks 
Vijayshree Yadav, M.D., M.C.R., FANA, FAAN 
Department of Neurology, OHSU and VA Portland Health Care System

Accreditation and credit

Coming soon.

*Note: You can receive credit for attending the live event or viewing the recording. All presentations will be recorded and credit will be available for one month after the live event date.

Registration

Registration fee: $75
Registration fee waived for OHSU employee, OHSU student (resident, fellow, etc.), or VA employee

Online registration is required to participate live or to access recorded event. 

The symposium will be recorded and available to registered participants for one month after the date of the event. You can receive credit for attending the live event or viewing the recording.

September 16, 2023
Virtual symposium - Offered live and recorded

Contact

For questions, please contact Dawn Christensen at chrisdaw@ohu.edu.

In collaboration with:

VA MS Center of Excellence West, Portland VA Health Care System 

Virtual exhibits

To learn more about exhibiting at this conference, please contact Dawn at chrisdaw@ohsu.edu