Penn Medicine at the American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting

BOSTON – Researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania will present data on the latest research across the full spectrum of Neurology at the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting from April 22-27 in Boston, Massachusetts. Follow us on Twitter @PennMedNews and @PennMDForum for updates.

Expert Interviews

Experts from the Perelman School of Medicine are available to comment on a wide range of topics in neurological conditions and research during the meeting on site and by video call, telephone, or email. To arrange interviews, please contact Kelsey Geesler at Kelsey.Geesler@pennmedicine.upenn.edu or 215-300-1194.

News

Two Penn Medicine Faculty Receive Awards at American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting

Key Presentations

Plenary Session: Hot Topics – Artificial Intelligence Applications in Neurology: Seizing the Moment
Kate Davis, MD, MSc, an associate professor of Neurology and director of the Penn Epilepsy Center, will dive into the promise of artificial intelligence (AI), and its potential in the field of neurology. For example, in the study and treatment of epilepsy, AI algorithms can analyze electroencephalogram (EEG)signals to predict seizures before they occur, as well as analyze EEG’s while a seizure happens to differentiate between different types of seizures. AI can also evaluate medical histories and data, like genetics and imaging, to provide personalized care plans specific to each individual patient. Davis will also underscore challenges clinicians and researchers have to address when using AI in neurology, like biases in datasets, or errors in data collection, as well as maintaining patient safety and data privacy. Davis will present during the plenary session on Saturday, April 22 at 5:00 p.m. ET in the Grand Ballroom, Level 3.

Leadership of a Culturally Intelligent Organization

Culturally intelligent leaders create an environment where diversity and culture flourish, and where conflicting values can be safely expressed and explored through dialogue. Organizations and leaders which embrace this model ask probing questions on whether their organization’s culture really accepts the differences it invites, and whether they really embrace the different perspectives that come from increasing a commitment to recruiting. During this program, Roy H. Hamilton, MD, MS, an associate professor of Neurology and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and director of the brainSTIM Center at Penn Medicine, will explore culturally intelligent organizations within medicine, and strategies to develop this model. Hamilton will present on Monday, April 24 at 12:00 p.m. ET in room 154.

Eplontersen in Hereditary ATTR-polyneuropathy: Week 66 Final Analysis of the Phase 3 NEURO-TTRansform Study

Hereditary ATTR (hATTR) amyloidosis with polyneuropathy is a disease that affects a protein called transthyretin (TTR), which can build up in different parts of the body and cause problems like tingling, numbness, weakness, and difficulty walking. A new treatment called eplontersen, which is designed to reduce the production of TTR protein, has shown promising results in a phase 3 clinical trial. Principal investigator, Sami Khella, MD, chief of the Department of Neurology at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, and a professor of Clinical Neurology, revealed today that after 66 weeks of treatment, patients who received eplontersen had a significant reduction in TTR concentration (by 82 percent), compared to those who received a placebo (11 percent reduction). Additionally, the disease progression was halted in patients who received eplontersen. Moreover, 53 percent of treated patients showed improvements in their neuropathy symptoms after 66 weeks. These results suggest that eplontersen could be an effective treatment for hATTR amyloidosis with polyneuropathy. Khella presented his findings on Monday, April 24 at 11:57am.

Trends In The Prevalence Of Stroke Among Community-Dwelling Individuals In The U.S.: 1999-2018  (Abstract S19.009)

Stroke affected an estimated 7.4 million individuals, or 3.1 percent of the United States population, between 1999 and 2018. This rate remained stable throughout the study period, according to research presented by Wells Andres, MD, a Penn Neurology resident. The findings, which were published today in JAMA Neurology, used a nationally representative sample of individuals from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) of community-dwelling adults (not in nursing or rehabilitation facilities), over 20 years old. The authors note that this steady rate could be attributed to a combination of decreased frequency of strokes and improved stroke outcomes. Andres will present his abstract on Monday, April 24 at 5:00pm ET in room 209. JAMA Neurology will publish a research letter with the findings at the same time as the presentation.

Neuromodulation for Cognitive Rehabilitation: Mechanisms and Evidence

The persistent cognitive deficits following stroke are very common, by some accounts occurring in as many as 90 percent of stroke survivors. These deficits are associated with poorer functional outcomes and greater caregiver burden. Currently the standard-of-care interventions for post-stroke cognitive deficits are behaviorally-based therapies, which are time intensive, variable in their efficacy, and are often not offered beyond the acute post-stroke recovery period. Roy H. Hamilton, MD, MS, an associate professor of Neurology and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and director of the brainSTIM Center, will share how, while not yet FDA-approved for clinical use, evidence suggests that noninvasive neuromodulation techniques such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) may prove beneficial as adjunctive treatments for persons with post-stroke cognitive deficits. Hamilton will review data that support the potential use of noninvasive neuromodulation techniques for two of the most common cognitive impairments that arise from stroke, aphasia and spatial neglect. Hamilton will present on Wednesday, April 26 at 7:00am ET in room 152.

Barriers to Gender Equity in Academic Neurology

Monisha Kumar, MD, director of the Neuro Intensive Care Unit and an associate professor of Neurology and Anesthesiology and Critical Care, joins a panel of diverse experts to discuss gender equity in academic neurology. Experts will share their experiences and perspectives about how gender equity in neurology has evolved throughout their careers, how they achieved progress and overcome structural barriers, and how individuals and leadership can contribute to positive change at their own institutions. The panel will be held on Wednesday, April 26 at 8:00am ET in room 154.

Disparities in Care and Practice: The Current State and How to Advocate

The main driver of health care inequities are the social determinants of health – the conditions in the places where people live, learn, work, and play that affect a wide range of health risks and outcomes. Sharon Lewis, MD, an associate professor of Neurology, and assistant dean for Diversity Recruitment in the Program for Diversity and Inclusion, will illustrate how the factors that contribute to inequality – such as unstable housing, low income, unsafe neighborhoods, or substandard education – create structural forces which perpetuate these inequities in health care outcomes. Lewis will also outline interventions aimed at tackling these different domains, including access to healthy foods, improving safety of neighborhoods, increasing access to stable housing, and improving education. Lewis will present on Wednesday, April 26 at 1:00pm ET in room 104C.