Conference Coverage

For patients who experience aphasia after a stroke, intervention and social support are crucial for recovery. Dr. Kelly Sloane, Assistant Professor of Neurology at the University of Pennsylvania, highlights how timely therapy and strong support systems can help rebuild both language and confidence in these patients. Dr. Sloane also spoke about this topic at the 2025 American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) trigger a rapid transcriptional response in the choroid plexus, dominated by chemokines that attract neutrophils. Join Dr. Prajwal Ciryam, Assistant Professor of Neurology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, as he explains how this early signaling may represent a critical window for modulating inflammation in the injured brain. Dr. Ciryam also spoke about this topic at the 2025 American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting.

Defined by the production of 2-hydroxyglutarate, mutant isocitrate dehydrogenase (mIDH) gliomas are diffuse, slow-growing tumors. Managing these tumors requires personalized strategies that consider resectability, histology, and long-term treatment impacts. Dr. Jennie Taylor, Assistant Professor of Neurology and Neurological Surgery at the University of California San Francisco, explains the complexities behind this type of tumor and implications for patient care. Dr. Taylor also spoke about this topic at the 2025 American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting.

The impacts of climate change present a growing threat to brain health. Rising heat, air pollution, and oxidative stress appear to worsen conditions like stroke, dementia, and multiple sclerosis. Join Dr. Beth Malow as she outlines the essential role clinicians play in prevention and education. Dr. Malow is a Professor of Neurology and Pediatrics and the Vice Chair for Academic Affairs in the Department of Neurology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Glioblastomas are fast, aggressive, and resistant to many standard therapies. Dr. Lauren Schaff, a neuro-oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, explains how new molecular understandings and treatment avenues are paving the way for a more personalized, hopeful approach to care.

The FDA approval of vorasidenib marks a new era for mutant isocitrate dehydrogenase (mIDH) gliomas. Approved in 2024 for grade 2 tumors after surgery, it doubled progression-free survival in the INDIGO trial. Dr. Jennie Taylor, Associate Professor of Neurology and Neurological Surgery at the University of California San Francisco, dives into the data and explains what questions remain about long-term use and broader applications.

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) can present in multiple ways, making diagnosis complex. Dr. Sami Khella joins the program to outline how we can distinguish CIDP from similar neurological disorders and explain how response to therapy can guide diagnosis. Dr. Khella is the Director of Clinical Electrophysiology and a Professor of Clinical Neurology at the University of Pennsylvania.

With personalized approaches, alternatives to steroids, and novel therapies like efgartigimod, the treatment landscape for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) is continuing to evolve. Join Dr. Sami Khella as he shares expert insights on our available options. Dr. Khella is the Director of Clinical Electrophysiology and a Professor of Clinical Neurology at the University of Pennsylvania, and he spoke about this topic at the 2025 American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting.

While multiple kinds of animal models are commonly used to study multiple sclerosis (MS), they are not always ideal for getting the full picture of the disease. To address these gaps, a new CAR T-cell-based model provides a reproducible disease course, discrete lesion formation, and an improved platform for testing remyelination therapies. Dr. Christian Cordano, Associate Researcher of Neurology at the University of California, San Francisco Weill Institute for Neurosciences, explains how this approach aims to overcome key limitations of traditional research models for MS. Dr. Cordano also spoke on this topic at the ACTRIMS Forum 2025.

Melanoma treatment has undergone a rapid evolution. Immunotherapy has doubled survival rates, and timing the use of these drugs around surgery has shown to be even more effective. Dr. Vernon Sondak explores how the fight against melanoma is stronger than ever with new therapeutic combinations and evolving treatment strategies. Dr. Sondak is the Chair of the Department of Cutaneous Oncology at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute in Tampa, Florida.