2026 Autoimmune Neurology Conference | C9 - Aquaporin-4 Antibody Positive Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disease (NMOSD)

Date Saturday 08/08/26

Time 07:30 AM - 09:15 AM CDT Add To Calendar

Session Format This program will be presented both in-person and online

On Demand This program will be available in the meeting's On Demand product.

Event Type Seminar

Director(s) Eoin P. Flanagan, MBBCh, F�鶹��ýӳ��, Anastasia Zekeridou, MD, PhD, F�鶹��ýӳ��, Stacey Clardy, MD, PhD, F�鶹��ýӳ��

Moderator(s) Marcelo Matiello, MD, F�鶹��ýӳ��, Mallory Lowe, MD

Topic(s) Autoimmune Neurology

Learning Objectives Upon completion of this program, participants should be able to describe the immunopathogenesis of Aquaporin-4 (AQP4-IgG) antibody–positive Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, including the role of complement-mediated astrocytopathy; apply current diagnostic criteria for NMOSD, including appropriate use and interpretation of AQP4-IgG testing, MRI findings, and supportive clinical features; differentiate NMOSD from multiple sclerosis and other inflammatory, infectious, and vascular myelopathies based on clinical presentation, imaging, and serologic profiles; evaluate acute attack management strategies for NMOSD, including first-line use of high-dose corticosteroids, plasma exchange, and escalation approaches in refractory disease; and develop evidence-based long-term treatment plans for AQP4-IgG–positive NMOSD, incorporating recently approved complement inhibitors and other targeted immunotherapies, while balancing relapse prevention and safety considerations.

CME Available 1.75 CME credits

Core Competencies Patient Care & Procedural Skills, Medical Knowledge, Practice-based Learning and Improvement

Program Level Introductory

Recommended Audience Fellow, Resident, General Neurologist, Specialist Neurologist, Non-neurologist, Advanced Practice Provider, Neurohospitalist, Medical Student

Teaching Styles Didactic

Event Timeline
07:30 AM - 07:57 AM CDT	Speaker	Diagnosis and Updated Criteria Dean M. Wingerchuk, MD, F�鶹��ýӳ��
07:57 AM - 08:24 AM CDT	Speaker	Treatment Approach Bruce A. Cree, MD, PhD, MAS, F�鶹��ýӳ��
08:24 AM - 08:51 AM CDT	Speaker	Cases Kelsey Poisson, MD
08:51 AM - 09:01 AM CDT	Speaker	Abstract Presentation #1
09:01 AM - 09:11 AM CDT	Speaker	Abstract Presentation #2

Faculty Disclosures
Bruce A. Cree, MD, PhD, MAS, F�鶹��ýӳ��	The institution of Dr. Cree has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Biogen. The institution of Dr. Cree has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for Novartis. The institution of Dr. Cree has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for Sanofi. The institution of Dr. Cree has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for TG Therapeutics. The institution of Dr. Cree has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Alexion. Dr. Cree has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Neuron23. Dr. Cree has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Boston Pharma. Dr. Cree has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Hexal/Sandoz. Dr. Cree has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Immunic AG. The institution of Dr. Cree has received research support from Genentech. The institution of Dr. Cree has received research support from Kyverna. Dr. Cree has received publishing royalties from a publication relating to health care.
Dean M. Wingerchuk, MD, F�鶹��ýӳ��	Dr. Wingerchuk has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Horizon Therapeutics. Dr. Wingerchuk has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Genentech. Dr. Wingerchuk has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Roche. Dr. Wingerchuk has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Novartis. Dr. Wingerchuk has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Bristol Meyer Squibb. Dr. Wingerchuk has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for UCB Pharma. Dr. Wingerchuk has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for AstraZeneca. Dr. Wingerchuk has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Alexion. Dr. Wingerchuk has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Abcuro. Dr. Wingerchuk has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as an Editor, Associate Editor, or Editorial Advisory Board Member for Wolters Kluwers.
Eoin P. Flanagan, MBBCh, F�鶹��ýӳ��	The institution of Dr. Flanagan has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Roche. Dr. Flanagan has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Pharmacy times. The institution of Dr. Flanagan has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for UCB. The institution of Dr. Flanagan has received research support from UCB. The institution of Dr. Flanagan has received research support from Roche. The institution of Dr. Flanagan has received research support from UCB. The institution of Dr. Flanagan has received research support from Merck. The institution of Dr. Flanagan has received research support from Roche. Dr. Flanagan has received publishing royalties from a publication relating to health care. Dr. Flanagan has received publishing royalties from a publication relating to health care. Dr. Flanagan has a non-compensated relationship as a Member of medical Advisory Board with The MOG Project that is relevant to �鶹��ýӳ�� interests or activities. Dr. Flanagan has a non-compensated relationship as a Editorial board member with Journal of The Neurologic Sciences that is relevant to �鶹��ýӳ�� interests or activities. Dr. Flanagan has a non-compensated relationship as a Editorial board member with Neuroimmunology Reports that is relevant to �鶹��ýӳ�� interests or activities. Dr. Flanagan has a non-compensated relationship as a Editorial Board Member with Neurology, Neuroimmunology Neuroinflammation (N2) Journal that is relevant to �鶹��ýӳ�� interests or activities. Dr. Flanagan has a non-compensated relationship as a Editorial Board Member with Neurology that is relevant to �鶹��ýӳ�� interests or activities.
Anastasia Zekeridou, MD, PhD, F�鶹��ýӳ��	The institution of Dr. Zekeridou has received research support from Roche/Genentech. Dr. Zekeridou has received intellectual property interests from a discovery or technology relating to health care. Dr. Zekeridou has received intellectual property interests from a discovery or technology relating to health care. Dr. Zekeridou has received intellectual property interests from a discovery or technology relating to health care. Dr. Zekeridou has received intellectual property interests from a discovery or technology relating to health care.
Stacey Clardy, MD, PhD, F�鶹��ýӳ��	Dr. Clardy has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Dr. Clardy has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of University of Utah Health. Dr. Clardy has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for AstraZeneca/Alexion. Dr. Clardy has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Amgen/Horizon. Dr. Clardy has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Arialys. Dr. Clardy has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Kyverna. Dr. Clardy has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as an Editor, Associate Editor, or Editorial Advisory Board Member for Neurology/�鶹��ýӳ�� Publications. The institution of Dr. Clardy has received research support from NIH/NINDS. The institution of Dr. Clardy has received research support from SRNA. The institution of Dr. Clardy has received research support from Alexion/AstraZeneca. The institution of Dr. Clardy has received research support from Kyverna. Dr. Clardy has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a �鶹��ýӳ�� Summer Meeting CoDirector Travel and Lodging with �鶹��ýӳ��. Dr. Clardy has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Grand Rounds Travel/Lodging/Honoraria with U of Iowa, Miami, Stanford, Barrow, Advent Health Florida, Beaumont Health, CCF, Emory, Penn State Health, Mayo Clinic, Walter Reed.
Kelsey Poisson, MD	Dr. Poisson has nothing to disclose.
Marcelo Matiello, MD, F�鶹��ýӳ��	Dr. Matiello has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Genentech. Dr. Matiello has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Amgen. Dr. Matiello has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as an Editor, Associate Editor, or Editorial Advisory Board Member for WoltersKluwer.
Mallory Lowe, MD	Dr. Lowe has received research support from Kyverna Therapeutics.
Elias S. Sotirchos, MD	Dr. Sotirchos has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Genentech. Dr. Sotirchos has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Alexion. Dr. Sotirchos has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Amgen. Dr. Sotirchos has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for TG Therapeutics. The institution of Dr. Sotirchos has received research support from National Institutes of Health. The institution of Dr. Sotirchos has received research support from National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The institution of Dr. Sotirchos has received research support from Sumaira Foundation. The institution of Dr. Sotirchos has received research support from Genentech. The institution of Dr. Sotirchos has received research support from UCB. The institution of Dr. Sotirchos has received research support from Astoria Biologica. The institution of Dr. Sotirchos has received research support from Ad Scientiam. The institution of Dr. Sotirchos has received research support from Alexion. The institution of Dr. Sotirchos has received research support from Corevitas. Dr. Sotirchos has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Ad Hoc Reviewer with National Institutes of Health.
Ho Jin Kim, MD	Dr. Kim has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Altos Biologics, AstraZeneca, Biogen, Daewoong Pharmaceutical, Kaigene, Kolon Life Science, MDimune, Roche, and Sanofi. Dr. Kim has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Alexion, AstraZeneca, Eisai, GC Pharma, Merck, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, and Roche. Dr. Kim has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as an Editor, Associate Editor, or Editorial Advisory Board Member for Multiple Sclerosis Journal, Journal of Clinical Neurology.
Ahmed Z. Obeidat, MD, PhD	Dr. Obeidat has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for Alexion. Dr. Obeidat has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for Biogen . Dr. Obeidat has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for Bristol Myers Squibb. Dr. Obeidat has received personal compensation in the range of $50,000-$99,999 for serving as a Consultant for Genentech. Dr. Obeidat has received personal compensation in the range of $50,000-$99,999 for serving as a Consultant for EMD Serono. Dr. Obeidat has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Novartis . Dr. Obeidat has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for Sanofi/Genzyme . Dr. Obeidat has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for Horizon pharmaceuticals . Dr. Obeidat has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Sandoz. Dr. Obeidat has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for TG Therapeutics. Dr. Obeidat has received personal compensation in the range of $50,000-$99,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Alexion. Dr. Obeidat has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Biogen. Dr. Obeidat has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Bristol Myers Squibb. Dr. Obeidat has received personal compensation in the range of $100,000-$499,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for EMD Serono. Dr. Obeidat has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Banner life sciences . Dr. Obeidat has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Sanofi/genzyme. Dr. Obeidat has received personal compensation in the range of $50,000-$99,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Horizon therapeutics . Dr. Obeidat has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Amgen. Dr. Obeidat has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for TG Therapeutics . Dr. Obeidat has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for AstraZeneca. The institution of Dr. Obeidat has received research support from NIH. The institution of Dr. Obeidat has received research support from NMSS and PCORI. Dr. Obeidat has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Expert opinion and key opinion leader with MJH life sciences . Dr. Obeidat has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Faculty Speaker with CMSC. Dr. Obeidat has a non-compensated relationship as a Board member with CMSC that is relevant to �鶹��ýӳ�� interests or activities. Dr. Obeidat has a non-compensated relationship as a Editorial Board Member with IJMSC that is relevant to �鶹��ýӳ�� interests or activities. Dr. Obeidat has a non-compensated relationship as a Reviewer Editor with Frontiers Neurology that is relevant to �鶹��ýӳ�� interests or activities. Dr. Obeidat has a non-compensated relationship as a Board of Trustee Member with National MS Society that is relevant to �鶹��ýӳ�� interests or activities.
Veronica A. Tkachuk	Veronica A. Tkachuk has nothing to disclose.
Sami Fam	Sami Fam has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of Alexion Pharmaceuticals. Sami Fam has or had stock in Astra Zeneca.
Jin Nakahara, MD, PhD, F�鶹��ýӳ��	Prof. Nakahara has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Novartis. Prof. Nakahara has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Mitsubishi-Tanabe. Prof. Nakahara has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Alexion. Prof. Nakahara has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Chugai. Prof. Nakahara has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Novartis. Prof. Nakahara has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Biogen. Prof. Nakahara has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Alexion. Prof. Nakahara has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Chugai. Prof. Nakahara has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Mitsubishi-Tanabe. Prof. Nakahara has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Takeda. Prof. Nakahara has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for UCB. Prof. Nakahara has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Amgen. Prof. Nakahara has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Eisai. Prof. Nakahara has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as an Editor, Associate Editor, or Editorial Advisory Board Member for The Japanese Society for Internal Medicine. The institution of Prof. Nakahara has received research support from Chugai. The institution of Prof. Nakahara has received research support from Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.
Lindsey Przybyl	Lindsey Przybyl has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease. Lindsey Przybyl has stock in AstraZeneca.
Cynthia Carrillo Infante, MD, PhD	No disclosure on file
Shirali Pandya, PhD	Dr. Pandya has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of Alexion, Astra Zeneca Rare Disease. Dr. Pandya has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of Rhythm Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Pandya has stock in Sanofi. Dr. Pandya has stock in Alexion, Astra Zeneca Rare Disease.
Lokesh Jha, MD	Dr. Jha has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of Alexion Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Jha has or had stock in Alexion Pharmaceuticals.
Feifei Yang	Feifei Yang has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of Alexion Pharmaceuticals. Feifei Yang has stock in Alexion Pharmaceuticals.
Ukwen Akpoji, PharmD	Dr. Akpoji has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease. Dr. Akpoji has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of Pfizer, Inc. Dr. Akpoji has stock in Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease.
Samirah Qureshi, MD	Dr. Qureshi has nothing to disclose.
Katie Gonsalves, RN	Ms. Gonsalves has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease. Ms. Gonsalves has or had stock in AstraZeneca .
Meghana Koneru, PhD	Dr. Koneru has nothing to disclose.
Dan Case	Mr. Case has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of Alexion AstraZeneca Rare Disease. Mr. Case has stock in AstraZeneca.