Welcome to the WCN 2023 Interactive Program

Session Description:The course will provide participant with hand on introduction in the use of botulinum toxin for different indications. The participants will also gain insight in the use of the toxin outside the field of neurology as well. Learning Objectives:1. Use of botulinum toxin in neurological and non-neurological conditions. 2. Opportunity and limitation of botulinum toxin

Session Description:The course will provide participant with hand on introduction in the use of botulinum toxin for different indications. The participants will also gain insight in the use of the toxin outside the field of neurology as well. Learning Objectives:1. Use of botulinum toxin in neurological and non-neurological conditions. 2. Opportunity and limitation of botulinum toxin

Session Description:Rare Neurologic Diseases, and mainly genetic rare conditions, have been from long time considered without great interest by neurologists since few treatments may change the natural history of the disorders.Here we will try to decrease this gap, describing old and new therapies in this field, starting by the use of small molecules in several models of neurometabolic diseases (cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis, carnitine deficiency, Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy, etc), continuing with the therapeutic options in Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, deriving by the recent informations of immunological involvement in this disease, and concluding with RNA based therapies in genetic neurologic diseases, representing the new frontier for a personalised medicine.Learning Objectives:1.Change the pessimistic attitude of clinical neurologists for rare genetic neurologic disorders, as without hope diseases, in which it is not necessary to spend time for diagnosis since no treatments are available2.Improve the knowledge of pharmacologic therapies in some neurometabolic diseases and new immunologic perspectives in the pathogenesis of ALS, able to influence the treatment;3.Receive informations on gene therapy approach with particular regards to RNA based therapies for rare genetic neurologic disorders.

Session Description:•Highlights on spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) genetic and phenotypic aspects. •Where are we standing in new SMA treatments and what to expect in future? •Usefulness of newborn SMA screening for health and economic considerationsLearning Objectives:1.Genotypic and phenotypic aspects of SMA.2.New treatments of SMA: strategies, results, and future developments3.Newborn screening of SMA: health and economic considerations

Session Description:The field of child neurology is increasing at an exponential rate with the capacity to perform precision medicine diagnostics with targeted therapeutic implications. The first session will undertake a critical overview of challenging and high impact paediatric conditions inclusive of the latest terminology and recognition of autoimmune diseases through to the latest on care of paediatric ischaemic stroke based on the extensive data collated via the International Pediatric Stroke Society and complete with an overview of the revolution on gene therapies for neuromuscular diseases.The second session will focus on more practical and interventional current aspects often of great challenge or essential not to miss in child neurology. This will include optimal approaches for palliative care and how this does not equate to end of life but rather how quality of life for vulnerable children can be supported, critical vitamins that can literally be lifesaving in the setting of deficits or dysfunction and lastly how COVID has impacted on the care we offer to children with neurological disease. Learning Objectives:1.Be aware of the latest diagnostic categories for key child neurology conditions and the available resources to remain current2.Be aware of how to approach holistic care for the child rather than silo into disease specific management3.Be conscious of the implications of pandemics on the care offered for children with neurological conditions and how best to plan for future pandemics

Session Description:AAV mediated gene therapies (AAVGT) are rapidly moving into clinical trials and approval. It is time to take stock as to where this field is going. The symposium will focus on targeting skeletal muscle, focusing on muscular dystrophies, congenital myopathies, and [Option 1] metabolic conditions affecting muscle, or [Option 2], motorneuron disease mostly focusing on the recent work in spinal muscular atrophy).We will present the evolving experience related to the clinical efficacy of the different therapies under development or in commercial use, immunological consequences, and toxicities of AAVGT and highlight the next generation of vectors. Monitoring and management of aspects related to AAV gene therapy related adverse events will also be discussed.Learning Objectives:AAVGT are making rapid progress in neuromuscular diseases. Nevertheless, the extremely high viral load required to effectively target the organs in which the therapeutic effect is required is often associated with adverse events. In this respect the evidence gathered from the ongoing studies will have profound implications for the entire field of neurology. We will present the pathway used to develop and validate the AAV transgene using preclinical models, their efficacy in targeting skeletal and cardiac muscle, and other organs, the implications of the dosage for the vector genome copy number, and issues related to dilution of transgene during muscle growth. We will also discuss the molecular mechanism for each of these transgenes to function in the target organ and how the pre-existing pathology affects outcome. We will also discuss on how to manage expectations and the unique ethical aspects related to the administration of these AAV.Please List the learning objectives below:1.Principles of AAV gene therapy, including concept of non-integrating vector; of biodistribution and dose levels required to provide sufficient therapeutic benefit2.What to expect in terms of efficacy, and how disease pathogenesis and stage of the disease affects clinical response3.The more common adverse events observed after AAV gene therapy: principles of monitoring and management

Session Description:In this session experts in Parkinson’s disease and in stem cell-based therapeutics will provide a critical overview of recent and current efforts to develop a restorative approach to treating Parkinson’s disease. Goals, potential benefits and limitations of current clinical trials will be discussed. The potential role of newer approaches will be described.Learning Objectives:1.To describe the rationale for stem cell-based approaches and the differences between current approaches to new therapeutic development in Parkinson’s disease2.To be able to discuss challenges, opportunities and current limitations in developing new stem cell-based therapeutics in Parkinson’s disease3.To critically evaluate recent achievements in stem cell based preclinical and clinical research in Parkinson’s disease

Session Description: The aim of the session is to review Autoimmune Encephalitis in the light of the most recent descriptions of new autoantibodies, and the introduction of new immuno-oncological drugs that can contribute to causing diseases that are pathogenetically indistinguishable from classical autoimmune/paraneoplastic syndromes. Lectures will also include a practical approach to the challenges of diagnosis and management of these conditions in the clinical setting. Finally, the emerging landscape of clinical trials in Autoimmune Encephalitis will be discussed, including the challenges of studying rare neurologic diseases.Learning Objectives:1. Become updated on the landscape of Autoimmune Encephalitis, including classical paraneoplastic associations as well as those associated with newer cancer immunotherapies. 2. Learn Practical approaches to the diagnosis and management of Autoimmune Encephalitis in the clinical setting.3. Learn about ongoing international clinical trials and studies in Autoimmune Encephalitis.

Session Description:In these sessions we will outline recent updates in the management of the epilepsies. This will include optimization of diagnosis, as well as new methods proposed in seizure detection and the role of antiseizure medications with the possibility of precision therapy. Finally, we will address optimizing care of the adult with Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathy.Learning Objectives:1.To be aware of the current ways seizures may be detected2.To be aware of the role of new anti-seizure medication in the management of the epilepsies3.To be aware of optimal management of DEEs into adulthood

Session Description: The Educational Session will be devoted to 3 hot topics in Neuro-Oncology, with particular attention focused on the translational aspects of a modern management.Dr Rudà will discuss the issue of treatment of IDH mutant gliomas based on the updated definition of “high risk” patients that includes some new molecular markers for stratification. Moreover, novel approaches for targeting IDH mutation will be reviewed.Dr Batchelor will review the standard treatments of glioblastomas. Innovative immunotherapy trials and novel targeted agents, along with new neuroimaging tools for monitoring the response will be discussed.Dr Blakeley will cover the recent advances in terms of molecular biology and targeted treatments of tumors linked to genetic syndromes, such as neurofibromatosis type 1 and 2, tuberous sclerosis complex, etc.Learning Objectives:1. To make partecipants familiar with the new WHO 2021 Classification of diffuse lower grade gliomas that has impacted the design of new clinical trials and daily clinical practice.2. To update the management of glioblastomas with particular reference to new technologies and new drugs.3. To spread information on the modern management of tumors in genetic syndromes from molecular diagnosis to targeted treatments.