MS Treatment and Research Forum, ACTRIMS, Kicks Off Thursday in New Orleans

The first standalone forum held by the Madison, Wisconsin-based Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ACTRIMS) gets underway  Thursday, Feb. 18, and runs through Feb. 20 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The forum, “Progressive MS: From Bench to Bedside and Back,” is at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans at 601 Loyola Ave.

Follow our complete coverage of #ACTRIMS2016 throughout the day.

The ACTRIMS Forum 2016 is providing an opportunity for researchers and clinicians in the multiple sclerosis (MS) field to learn about cutting-edge discoveries in the pathogenesis and management of the disease from world-renowned experts, to discuss advances in development of serological and imaging markers of disease progression, and learn about the latest and ongoing clinical trials on neuroprotective, neuroregenerative, and immunomodulatory agents for MS.

In addition to information and awareness about the latest MS treatment research developments, the forum offers opportunities for junior and senior faculty to meet and explore potentials for mentorship and collaboration. Attendees new to the MS field will be provided with a unique chance to obtain career advice from established investigators.

ACTRIMS says the principal goals of the meeting are to critically examine current research on the pathogenic mechanisms that contribute to central nervous system (CNS) injury and disability accumulation in people with MS, to discuss biomarkers that reflect or predict CNS damage, clinical course or responsiveness to treatment, and to synthesize emerging data from recently completed and ongoing clinical trials.

Other priority objectives are to identify future directions for investigation and development of neuroprotective and neuroregenerative MS therapies, to provide mentorship to trainees and junior faculty interested in a career in MS research or clinical practice, and help ensure that research findings are disseminated to various stakeholder groups, including MS care providers, researchers, new media outlets, social media, and patient advocacy groups.

Part of the goal of ACTRIMS Forum 2016 is to provide networking opportunities for and between senior and junior faculty members engaged in MS research. A slate of social activities and programming have been scheduled, where those who aspire to careers in MS research will be able to obtain career advice from established investigators.

The forum is designed and structured to be of value to researchers, clinicians, residents, students, postdoctoral fellows, and patient advocates who have an interest — professional or personal — in the pathogenesis, clinical management, and treatment of MS.

ACTRIMS Forum 2016 has been planned in accordance with the accreditation requirements of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the Interstate Postgraduate Medical Association (IPMA) and ACTRIMS. The IPMA is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians, and has designated live ACTRIMS forum activity for a maximum of 12.25 AMA PRA Category 1 credits.

Satellite Symposia

There will be two independently supported Satellite Symposia that are not included in the formal ACTRIMS Forum 2016 accredited program.

The first, from 4:30 to 5:45 p.m. Thursday, is called “Implementing B-Cell Based Therapeutic Science to Improve Outcomes for Your Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: What Every Neurologist Needs to Know,” and will be chaired by Fred D. Lublin of Mount Sinai Hospital. This CME activity is provided by Academic CME and supported by an educational grant from Genentech.

The second symposium is from 7 to 8:15 a.m. Friday and is called “Disrupting Disease Worsening in Patients with MS: How Can We Harness the Full Potential of Available Disease-Modifying Therapies?” chaired by Aaron Boster of OhioHealth Neurological Physicians. This CME activity is jointly provided by Medical Learning Institute and PVI, PeerView Institute for Medical Education, and supported by an educational grant from Genzyme, a Sanofi company.

Young Investigators Programs

Young Investigators who are still in training, or who completed their postgraduate training in 2009 or later, and who have submitted an abstract to be considered for oral presentation at the ACTRIMS Forum 2016 will be eligible to receive educational grants and awards for Best Poster and Best Oral Presentation. Candidates may be residents, postdoctoral fellows, or junior faculty. Selected presenters will be invited to give a 15-minute platform presentation followed by five minutes for questions.

A limited number of ACTRIMS Forum 2016 Educational Grants will be awarded to Young Investigators whose abstracts are accepted for a platform or poster presentation. Those who are awarded an Educational Grant will receive $600 and complimentary registration to the meeting, which is worth $250.

Prizes will also be awarded to Young Investigators for the two best poster presentations ($1,500 each), and for the best oral presentation ($2,000), as determined by an ACTRIMS-appointed judging committee. The awardees will be announced during the final session (Session 6) on Saturday, Feb. 20.

Pre-Conference CME Program

A two-day pre-conference CME Program is also being held at Le Pavillon Hotel, 833 Poydras St., New Orleans, in conjunction with ACTRIMS Forum 2016. The Advanced Curriculum for Multiple Sclerosis is an 11-hour comprehensive course Feb. 17-18 by Mount Sinai Hospital’s Dr. Fred D. Lublin, along with nearly 20 expert faculty.

The program begins at 7:45 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17, and and adjourns at 2 p.m. Feb. 18. Refer to the program agenda for detailed session times.

Organizers note that this CME activity is designed to introduce neurologists to sub-specialty status for the care of MS patients in observance that over the last several years scientific advances on pathophysiology and therapeutic options in the MS field have exponentially progressed to such a level of complexity that many standard educational formats have become limited. This is designed to fill the professional gaps of community neurologists to make their skills more aligned with neurologists working at a MS center. The target audience is neurologists and other clinicians responsible for the care of patients with MS.

Multiple Sclerosis News Today will cover the event remotely and report on relevant proceedings.

Founded in 1995, ACTRIMS, a community of leaders dedicated to the treatment of and research in MS, provides leadership in the fields of MS and other demyelinating diseases. The organization serves as the U.S. and Canadian counterpart to ECTRIMS, the European Committee on Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis.