Cleveland Clinic Mellen Center Update in Multiple Sclerosis 2025

Description

+ Include: 15 videos 

+ Target Audience: meurologists, psychologists

 Information:

The Mellen Center Update in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is the annual flagship conference hosted by the Cleveland Clinic’s world-renowned Mellen Center for MS Treatment and Research. The 2025 edition was particularly significant as it focused on the 2024 Revisions to the McDonald Criteria, which represent the first major update to MS diagnostic guidelines in nearly a decade. 

Held as a hybrid event, the course was designed to help clinicians navigate the rapidly changing landscape of MS care, moving from “active vs. non-active” disease classifications to a more nuanced understanding of “Smoldering MS” and Progression Independent of Relapse Activity (PIRA). 

2. What You Will Learn

The curriculum focused on integrating new diagnostic standards and therapeutic targets into daily practice. Key learning outcomes included:

• The New Diagnostic Standard: A detailed breakdown of the 2024 McDonald Criteria, specifically how the integration of optic nerve involvement and radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) changes early diagnosis.

• “Smoldering” MS: Understanding PIRA (Progression Independent of Relapse Activity) and how to identify patients who are getting worse despite having no new MRI lesions.

• Emerging Therapies: The latest data on BTK Inhibitors (Bruton’s Tyrosine Kinase) and their potential to treat progressive forms of the disease by targeting microglia.

• Biomarkers: The clinical utility of Serum Neurofilament Light Chain (sNfL) and the “Central Vein Sign” on MRI to differentiate MS from mimics.

• Rehabilitation: Evidence-based protocols for high-intensity aerobic exercise and intermittent fasting as neuroprotective strategies.

3. Event Details

• Event: Mellen Center Update in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) 2025  

• Date: June 20, 2025 (Friday)  

• Location: InterContinental Hotel and Conference Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.

• Format: Hybrid (In-Person & Virtual Livestream).

• Host: Cleveland Clinic Mellen Center.

4. Who Should Attend

• Neurologists: Specifically those treating general neurology patients who need to stay current with the new diagnostic criteria.

• Advanced Practice Providers (NPs/PAs): Who manage the long-term symptom burden of MS patients.

• Rehabilitation Specialists (PT/OT): Interested in the specific “Neurorestoration” track.

  Psychologists: Who manage the high prevalence of cognitive impairment and depression in this population.

5. Why Attend

• McDonald Criteria Authors: The Mellen Center faculty (including Dr. Daniel Ontaneda and Dr. Jeffrey Cohen) were key contributors to the international committee that revised the diagnostic criteria, offering attendees “primary source” explanations of the changes.

• Comprehensive Care Model: Unlike purely pharmacological conferences, this course dedicates significant time to “Wellness” topics, including diet, exercise, and sleep, which are now considered standard disease-modifying interventions.

• Interactive Debates: The program features “Controversy” sessions—debates on topics like “Induction vs. Escalation Therapy” (starting with high-efficacy drugs first vs. stepping up).

Topics

• 01 Keynote Cognitive Worsening in MS Cognitive Relapses and PIRA – Ralph Benedict

• 02 Keynote Neurorestoration in MS Where We Stand Michelle Ploughman
• 03 Updates to the McDonald Criteria The 2024 Revisions Daniel Ontaneda and Karlo Toljan
• 04 Improving Access to Care in Multiple Sclerosis Marisa McGinley
• 05 BTK Update What we are Learning from Phase 3 Data Robert Fox
• 06 Managing Mood Disorders in MS – Amy Sullivan, Grace Tworek, Brianne Markley, Raghid Charara
• 07 Emerging Treatment Paradigms for MOGAD in Adults and Children – Justin Abbatemarco and Aaron Abrams
• 08 Women’s Health in Neuroimmunological Disorders Alise Carlson
• 09 Practical Case Studies – Use of Imaging in the New Diagnostic Criteria – Moein Amin
• 10 Applications of CAR-T in Multiple Sclerosis Jeffrey Cohen and Zarmina Javed
• 11 Driving Safety in Multiple Sclerosis – How to Manage a Difficult Topic – Roundtable Discussion Rebecca Cebull, Jennifer Sedlak, and Timothy Verdouw
• 12 Optic Neuritis Rehabilitation for the MS Patient Alyssa DeCarlo
• 14 Central Dizziness Vestibular Based Rehab Support Kaitlin Sparks
• 15 The Complex Clinical Picture of MS in Rehab A Case Report – Alyssa DeCarlo, Danielle Brown and Kaitlin Sparks