Deciphering Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder: Addressing Real Clinician Questions Concerning Diagnosis and Management

Aurora, CO US
May 31, 2023

Overview

NMOSD is a rare autoimmune disease of the CNS characterized by recurrent and debilitating immune attacks of the optic nerves, brain, and spinal cord. While NMOSD has had a highly specific lab marker (AQP4 antibody) for now nearly two decades, its relapsing and demyelinating nature still frequently causes it to be confused with multiple sclerosis (MS), leading to inappropriate and even harmful treatment. The emergence of similarly presenting MOG antibody disease as its own entity has complicated the picture even further. With targeted therapies now available, clinicians’ effective distinction and management of NMOSD is critical.

The enhanced understanding of NMOSD pathophysiology was the key to elevating treatment from nonspecific to targeted mechanisms. But it has also begun to uncover new serotypes, novel biomarkers, and unappreciated neuroimaging signs, adding a host of new considerations into the diagnostic, prognostic, and treatment milieu. While these breakthroughs are welcomed by patients and clinicians, the evolution of the field has created an environment prone to knowledge and performance deficiencies among NMOSD providers.

To mitigate these gaps, Efficient and Medical Education Resources (MER) are organizing an interactive symposium in conjunction with the 2023 Consortium of MS Centers (CMSC) annual meeting in which clinicians who treat patients with NMOSD will verbalize their greatest challenges encountered in its routine management. Experts will then utilize their own experiences and supporting literature to address these questions and expand upon contemporary strategies.

Target Audience

The target audience for this CME initiative includes neurodegenerative disease specialists, general neurologists, advanced practice neurology professionals, and other healthcare professionals involved in the diagnosis and long-term management of patients with NMOSD.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the educational activity, participants should be able to:

  • Distinguish key clinical and radiological features that distinguish NMOSD alongside rising tools for prognosis in order to more rapidly diagnose and tailor clinical strategies to individuals with both AQP4-IgG seropositive and seronegative presentations of the disease
  • Assess clinical investigator perspectives on the optimal management of acute attacks, including appropriate corticosteroid and plasma exchange protocols, and subsequent follow-up in order to maximize acute recovery and formulate effective management plans long term
  • Describe the roles of, most recent data evaluating, and clinical experience utilizing agents specifically designed to treat NMOSD to integrate them more effectively into practice and maximize patient outcomes
  • Recognize evolutions in available evidence and guidance regarding the diagnosis and treatment of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody disease (MOGAD) to more effectively manage these patients
Course summary
Course opens: 
03/20/2023
Course expires: 
03/20/2024
Event starts: 
05/31/2023 - 11:45am EDT
Event ends: 
05/31/2023 - 1:15pm EDT
Cost:
$0.00
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INTRODUCTION: REVIEW OF PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

9:45-9:50 AM

PART 1: EVOLUTION IN DIAGNOSIS AND DIFFERENTIATION OF NMOSD & MOGAD

9:50-10:10 AM – DR GRAVES

FACULTY PRESENTATION TOPICS

  • Key distinguishing clinical and imaging features of NMOSD
  • When to consider and how to diagnose MOGAD
  • Optimal testing strategies

PART 2: DISSECTING ACUTE DECISION-MAKING

10:10-10:30 AM – DR SHIN

FACULTY PRESENTATION TOPICS

  • Optimal individualized strategies to manage acute attacks
  • Who needs PLEX and when?
  • Potential for IVIG in acute MOG management

PART 3: CONSIDERATIONS IN SELECTION AND INITIATION OF PREVENTIVE THERAPY

10:30-10:50 AM – DR WEINSHENKER

FACULTY PRESENTATION TOPICS

  • Nuances in treating AQP4+ NMOSD; patient selection for FDA-approved therapeutics
  • Treating seronegative NMOSD
  • Management of MOGAD

PART 4: RAPID FIRE – ONGOING THERAPEUTIC DECISION-MAKING

10:50-11:05 AM – ALL FACULTY

QUESTION THEMES

  • Indications to switch/adjust therapy in NMOSD and MOGAD
  • When, if at all, to discontinue preventive therapy
  • Long-term management considerations

QUESTION AND ANSWER

11:05-11:15 AM

Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center: Colorado Ballroom A
6700 North Gaylord Rockies Blvd
Aurora, CO 80019
United States

   Robert Shin, MD, FANA, FAAN
   Director, Georgetown Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology Center
   Professor, Department of Neurology
   MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
   Washington, DC

 

 

 

   Brian G. Weinshenker, MD, FRCP
   Professor, Department of Neurology 
   University of Virginia
   Charlottesville, VA

 

 

 

   Jennifer Graves, MD, PhD, MAS
   Neurologist
   Associate Professor of Neurosciences
   UC San Diego Health
   San Diego, CA

 

This activity is jointly provided by Medical Education Resources (MER) and Efficient LLC.

   

 

Accreditation Statement

In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by Medical Education Resources (MER) and Efficient LLC. MER is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Designation Statement

PHYSICIAN CREDIT
Medical Education Resources designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
 
NURSING CREDIT
Medical Education Resources designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.5 ANCC nursing contact hours. Nurses will be awarded contact hours upon successful completion of the activity.

Disclosure of Relevant Financial Relationships

Medical Education Resources ensures balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all our educational activities. In accordance with this policy, MER identifies relevant financial relationships with its instructors, content managers, and other individuals who are in a position to control the content of an activity. Reported relevant financial relationships are mitigated by MER to ensure that all scientific research referred to, reported, or used in a CE activity conforms to the generally accepted standards of experimental design, data collection, and analysis. MER is committed to providing learners with high-quality CE activities that promote improvements or quality in health care and not the business interest of an ineligible company.

Planners' and Managers' Disclosure

Efficient LLC and Medical Education Resources' planners and managers have no financial relationships to disclose.

Faculty Disclosure

Dr Shin reported the following financial relationships:

  • Consulting Fees: Alexion, BMS, EMD Serono, Genentech, Horizon, Icometrix, Novartis
  • Speakers' Bureau: Alexion, BMS, EMD Serono, Genentech, Horizon, Novartis, Sanofi Genzyme

Dr Weinshenker reported the following financial relationships:

  • Consulting Fees: CANbridge Pharma, Genentech, Horizon/VielaBio, Mitsubishi-Tanabe, UCB Biosciences, Roche Group
  • Speaking Fees: Genentech, Mitsubishi-Tanabe, Roche Group
  • Royalty: RSR Ltd. 

Dr. Graves reported the following financial relationships:

  • Consulting Fees: Horizon, Genentech, Novartis
  • Grants/Research Support: EMD Serono, Sanofi

Disclosure of Unlabeled Use/Disclaimer

This educational activity may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the FDA. The planners of this activity do not recommend the use of any agent outside of the labeled indications. The opinions expressed in the educational activity are those of the faculty and do not necessarily represent the views of the planners. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.

Disclaimer

The content and views presented in this educational activity are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Medical Education Resources, Efficient LLC, and/or Genentech. The authors have disclosed if there is any discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the FDA in their presentations. Before prescribing any medicine, primary references and full prescribing information should be consulted. Any procedures, medications, or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed or suggested in this activity should not be used by clinicians without evaluation of their patient’s conditions and possible contraindications on dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer’s product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities. The information presented in this activity is not meant to serve as a guideline for patient management.

Commercial Support

This continuing education activity is supported by educational grants from Genentech, a member of the Roche Group.

Price

Cost:
$0.00
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CMSC Forum 2023 registration is required to attend this independent Industry Supported Satellite Symposium.

Register online at https://cmscscholar.org/registration/