Presentations 2022

JoJo Yang, MD, presented a lecture, “Care of Students with Epilepsy,” to school nurses participating in the UNC Mountain Area Health Education Center Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) program on Feb 22.

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Robert Greenwood, MD, presented “Precision Medicine in Pediatric Epilepsy” at the Alexandria Neuroscience Conference (ANC) on February 23 by webcast. University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt

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Clio Rubinos, MD, MS, and Monica Diaz, MD, MS, presented “A bilateral global neurology residency rotation for Peru and UNC” for UNC Office of Global Health Education’s monthly Global Health Forum, on February 28, 2022. Watch the video >

Gwenn Garden, MD, PhD, presented “Shifting the Paradigm on Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia” at the 46th Annual Internal Medicine Conference sponsored by the Charlotte Area Health Education Center in March.

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James F. Howard Jr., MD, presentations:

Invited Lectures / Visiting Professor

• • Lecturer, Neuroseries UAE conference, “Complement Inhibition A Treatment Paradigm for gMG” (by webcast).  United Arab Emirates Neurological Society, Dubai, UAE, March 26, 2022.

• • Lecturer, First Huashan International Conference of Neurological Disorders, “Evolving Therapeutics in the Treatment of Myasthenia Gravis” (by webcast). Fudan University, Shanghai, China, March 26, 2022.

Presentations at the 2022 MDA Clinical & Scientific Conference, March 13-16, 2022.

• • “Efficacy and safety of ravulizumab in anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive generalized myasthenia gravis: Phase 3 CHAMPION MG.” (Poster co-authored with Manisha Chopra, MBBS, and other researchers)

• • “Prescription pain medication for people with selected muscular dystrophies in the Muscular Dystrophy Surveillance, Tracking and Research Network.” (Poster, co-author)
  • “Comparative Safety and Efficacy of Corticosteroid regimens for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: results of an international randomized controlled trial.” (Paper co-authored with Manisha Chopra, MBBS, and other researchers)

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Monica Diaz, MD, MS, presented “Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections Research Review” at the AIDS Clinical Trials Group Neurology Collaborative Science session, March 15, 2022 (virtual). Invited Lecture

Monica Diaz, MD, MS, presented “Developing a career in Global Health in Neurology” at NIH Fogarty’s Career Development Webinar; March 17, 2022 (virtual). Invited Lecture

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PGY-4 Fazila Aseem, MD, MPH, presented “Disparities in Stroke” during UNC Anesthesiology Grand Rounds on March 16.

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JoJo Yang, MD and Scott Elton, MD, (Pediatric Neurosurgery) gave a lecture titled “Intracranial EEG and Epilepsy Surgery” to UNC pediatric intensive care unit nurses, attendings, residents and fellows on March 30, 2022.

American Academy of Neurology Annual Conference

April 2 – 7, 2022, Seattle, WA

James F. Howard, MD, co-authored seven papers and four posters presented at the conference as follows. Manisha Chopra co-authored six papers and two posters.

• “Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of ravulizumab in adults with generalized myasthenia gravis: Results from the phase 3 CHAMPION MG study.” Poster (Co-author)

• “Prospective natural history study and biorepository for patients with myasthenia gravis (EXPLORE-MG2). Poster (Co-authored with Manisha Chopra, MBBS, and other researchers)

• “Efficacy and safety of ravulizumab in anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive generalized myasthenia gravis: Phase 3 CHAMPION MG.” Paper (Co-authored with Manisha Chopra, MBBS, and other researchers)

• “Comparative Safety and Efficacy of Corticosteroid regimens for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: results of an international randomized controlled trial.” Paper (Co-authored with Manisha Chopra, MBBS, and other researchers)

• “Long-term Safety, Tolerability, and Efficacy of Efgartigimod in Patients with Generalized Myasthenia Gravis: Interim Results of the ADAPT+ Study.” Paper (Co-authored with Manisha Chopra, MBBS, and other researchers)

• “Long-term efficacy and safety of ravulizumab, a long-acting terminal complement inhibitor, in adults with anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive generalized myasthenia gravis: Results from the phase 3 CHAMPION MG open-label extension.” Paper (Co-authored with Manisha Chopra, MBBS, and other researchers)

• “Real-world experience of eculizumab treatment for generalized myasthenia gravis: initial data from a registry of patients with generalized myasthenia gravis in the USA.” Paper (Co-author)

• “Factors associated with utilization of telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic among patients with myasthenia gravis: A retrospective regional cohort study.” Poster (Co-author)

• “Real-world eculizumab effectiveness on US patient outcomes in myasthenia gravis (ELEVATE): A retrospective chart review.” Poster (Co-authored with Manisha Chopra, MBBS, and other researchers)

• “Pathogenic Th17 cells in autoimmune myasthenia gravis exhibit a pro-inflammatory transcriptomic signature that promotes disease pathogenesis.” Paper (Co-authored with Manisha Chopra, MBBS, and other researchers)

• “Long-term Safety, Tolerability, and Efficacy of Efgartigimod in Patients with Generalized Myasthenia Gravis: Interim Results of the ADAPT+ Study.” Paper (Co-authored with Manisha Chopra, MBBS, and other researchers)

Monica Diaz, MD, MS, moderated a scientific session titled “S37: Global Neurology.” Dr. Diaz also presented an invited lecture, titled “You Only Live Twice: Advances in Neurological Infectious Disease Care” presented during course session “C92: Global Infectious Diseases.”

“Social Cognition and Behavioral Assessments Improve the Diagnosis of Behavioral Variant of Frontotemporal Dementia in Older Peruvians with Low Educational Levels” co-authored by Monica Diaz, MD, MS. (Poster)

“A Pathway for Evaluation and Management of Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis During Pregnancy,” co-authored by PGY-2 Diana Ontiveros, MD (first author), James Ho, MD, and Dena Little, DO. (Poster)

“Case of a novel genotypic homozygous missense mutation that disrupts oligomerization of SMN protein and causes severe SMA Type 0” co-authored by PGY-5 Sonia A Varghese, MD, MPH, MBA; Yael Shiloh-Malawsky, MD; Senyene E Hunter, MD, PhD; Zheng Fan, MD and other researchers. (Poster)

“Hereditary TTR amyloid neuropathy unmasked by bortezomib chemotherapy for multiple myeloma” presented and co-authored by PGY-4 Xiaoyang Li, MD; mentored by Rebecca Traub, MD. (Poster)

“’String of pearls’ in the spinal cord: a novel magnetic resonance imaging sign in necrotizing sarcoid granulomatosis myelitis” presented and co-authored by PGY-4 Xiaoyang Li, MD; Irena Dujmovic Basuroski, MD (mentor), and other researchers. (Poster)

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Clio Rubinos, MD, MS, was the moderator for “Breathing Brain and Thinking Lung: Brain-Lung Support in Patients with Cerebral Edema and Concomitant Respiratory Failure” at the Society of Critical Care Medicine, Puerto Rico on April 18, 2022.

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Heidi Roth, MD, presented a webcast on frontotemporal dementia and primary progressive aphasias on April 21 for the Alzheimer’s Association’s Under theDementia Umbrella series.

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Andrea Bozoki, MD, Heidi Roth, MD, and Miriam Sklerov, MD, MS, all presented talks at the Dr. Daniel Kaufer Memorial Caregiver Virtual Conference,“Dementia: Beyond Memory Loss” on April 26. The Dementia Alliance of North Carolina sponsored the conference.

James F Howard Jr, MD

Invited Lectures/Visiting Professor

• Visiting Professor, University of Iowa Department of Neurology Grand Rounds, Reducing the Disease and Treatment Burdens of Myasthenia Gravis with Targeted Therapies, Iowa City, IA, June 28, 2022

James F Howard Jr, MD

Course Presentation

• Howard JF Jr, Bril V, Vu T: Data Updates in Myasthenia Gravis: Spring 2022 US Neurology Meetings. Medscape, July 26, 2022.

Monica Diaz, MD, MS

Oral Platform Presentations

• Custodio N, Montesinos R, Chambergo-Michilot D, Herrera-Perez E, Pintado-Caipa M, Seminario G W, Cuenca J, Mesia L, Failoc-Rojas VE, Diaz MM. Evaluation of a functional assessment tool in patients with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s disease in Lima, Peru. Dr. Diaz presented an oral platform presentation at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) 2022; August 3, 2022; San Diego, CA, USA

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James F Howard Jr, MD

Invited Lectures/Visiting Professor

• Lecturer at University of Basel Department of Neurology, Reducing the Burdens of Myasthenia Gravis: A Tale of Two Targets, Basel Switzerland, August 11, 2022.

Nina Browner, MD presented her poster:

“More than medications: Patient and care partner perspectives on care of Parkinson’s disease during hospitalization” Movement Disorders Society International Congress, Madrid, Spain, September 2022

Miriam Sklerov, MD

• “It takes a village: An interdisciplinary care model for atypical Parkinsonism” Movement Disorders Society International Congress, Madrid, Spain, September 2022

James F Howard Jr, MD

Invited Lectures/Visiting Professor

• Lecturer at the 11th National Conference of the Immunoglobulin National Society (IgNS), Understanding the Impact of Targeted Therapies for Myasthenia Gravis, National Harbor, MD, September 30, 2022.

Presentations of Significance

• Meisel A, Bril V, Vu T, Karam C, Peric S, De Bleecker JL, Murai H, Beydoun S, Pasnoor M, Guglietta A, Ulrichts P, T’joen C, Utsugisawa K, Verschuuren J, Mantegazza R, Howard JF Jr for the ADAPT Investigator Study Group: Long-term safety and efficacy of efgartigimod in patients with generalised myasthenia gravis. Poster presented at the 7th International Myology Congress, Nice, France, September 12-15, 2022.
• Mantegazza R, Li G, Margania T, Utsugisawa K, Korobko D, Smilowski M, Szczudlik A, Banaszkiewicz K, Lui L, Steeland S, Noukens J, Van Hoorick B, Podhorna J, Howard JF Jr: ADAPTsc: a Phase 3, randomised, open-label, parallel-group, noninferiority study comparing subcutaneous injection of efgartigimod PH20 1000 mg with intravenous infusions of efgartigimod 10 mg/kg. Poster presented at the 7th International Myology Congress, Nice, France, September 12-15, 2022.
• Habib AA, Benatar M, Vu T, Meisel A, Attarian S, Katsuno M, Liao S, Beasley KN, Howard JF Jr: Ravulizumab for the treatment of generalized myasthenia gravis: timing of response. Paper read at the Annual Scientific Session of the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, Nashville TN, September 21, 2022.
• Brandsema JF, Ginsberg M, Hoshino H, Mimaki M, Nagata S, Rao V, Ruzhansky K, Suresh N, Tiongson E, Yamanouchi H, Frick G, Hicks E, Liao S, Howard JF Jr: A Phase 3, Open-Label, Multicenter Study to Evaluate Eculizumab in Pediatric Patients with Refractory Generalized Myasthenia Gravis. Paper read at the Annual Scientific Session of the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, Nashville TN, September 21, 2022.
• Weiss MD, Genge A, Hussain Y, Kaminski HJ, Leite MI, Mantegazza R, Utsugisawa K, Vu T, Brock M, Boroojerdi B, Vanderkelen M, de la Borderie G, Duda PW, Howard JF Jr on behalf of the RAISE Investigators: Quality of life outcomes in RAISE: A double-blind randomized, placebo-controlled study of zilucoplan in gMG. Paper read at the Annual Scientific Session of the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, Nashville TN, September 21, 2022.
• Barnett C, Nicholson K, Chen Y, Syed S, Turner T, Smith B, Howard JF Jr: Efficacy and safety of tolebrutinib in adults with generalized myasthenia gravis: Phase 3 study design. Barnett C, Nicholson K, Chen Y, Syed S, Turner T, Smith B, Howard JF Jr: Efficacy and safety of tolebrutinib in adults with generalized myasthenia gravis: Phase 3 study design. Poster presented at the Annual Scientific Session of the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, Nashville TN, September 21, 2022.
• Howard JF Jr, Li G, Margania T, Malkova N, Smilowski M, Banaszkiewicz K, Lui L, Steeland S, Noukens J, Van Hoorick B, Podhorna J, Utsugisawa K, Mantegazza R: A pharmacodynamic noninferiority study comparing subcutaneous injection of efgartigimod PH20 with intravenous infusions of efgartigimod: Results of the Phase 3, ADAPTsc study. Poster presented at the Annual Scientific Session of the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, Nashville TN, September 21, 2022.
• Bril V, Vu T, Brauer E, Kerstens R, Howard JF Jr: Efgartigimod demonstrates consistent improvement in generalized myasthenia gravis across patient subgroups, including early in diagnosis. Poster presented at the Annual Scientific Session of the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, Nashville TN, September 21, 2022.
• Papsdorf T, Durrani J, Gelinas D, Mehrabyan A, DiCapua D, Howard JF Jr: Efficacy of efgartigimod in patients with anti-acetylcholine receptor negative myasthenia gravis: clinical trial and real-world data. Paper read at the Annual Scientific Session of the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, Nashville TN, September 21, 2022.
• Sanchez JA, Paredes D, Guptill JT, Howard JF Jr: Disparities in North American myasthenia gravis clinical trial participation. Paper read at the Annual Scientific Session of the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, Nashville TN, September 21, 2022.
• Kuntz NL, Schwaede A, Ashcraft E, Bogatyreva A, Podhorna J, Steeland S, Van Bragt T, Van Hoorick B, Guglietta A, Howard JF Jr: Study Design of Intravenous Efgartigimod in Children with Generalized Myasthenia Gravis. Poster presented at the 2002 Annual Meeting of the American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM), Nashville TN, September 21 – 24, 2022.
• Vu T, Bril V, Karam C, Peric S, De Bleecker JL, Murai H, Pasnoor M, Sacca F, Meisel A, Guglietta A, T’joen C, Utsugisawa K, Verschuuren J, Mantegazza, R, Howard JF Jr in collaboration with the ADAPT Investigator Study Group: Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Efgartigimod in Anti-Acetylcholine Receptor Autoantibody Seronegative Patients with Generalized Myasthenia Gravis: Integrated Interim Analysis of ADAPT / ADAPT+. Poster presented at the 2002 Annual Meeting of the American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM), Nashville TN, September 21 – 24, 2022.
• Howard JF Jr, Bril V, Vu T, Karam C, Peric S, De Bleecker JL, Murai H, Meisel A, Beydoun S, Pasnoor M, T’joen C, Utsugisawa K, Mantegazza, R, for the ADAPT Investigator Study Group: Long-Term Safety, Tolerability, and Efficacy of Efgartigimod in Patients with Generalized Myasthenia Gravis: Interim Results of the ADAPT+ Study. Poster presented at the 2002 Annual Meeting of the American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM), Nashville TN, September 21 – 24, 2022.
• Muppidi S, Pasnoor M, Gelinas D, Brauer E, Kerstens R, Bhavaraju-Sanka R, Howard JF Jr: Safety and Tolerability of Efgartigimod in Patients with Generalized Myasthenia Gravis: Analysis of Infection Risk and Hematological Changes During ADAPT and ADAPT+. Poster presented at the 2002 Annual Meeting of the American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM), Nashville TN, September 21 – 24, 2022.
• Pulley M, Pasnoor M, Gelinas D, Brauer E, Kerstens R, Beydoun S, Howard JF Jr in collaboration with the ADAPT Investigator Study Group: The Effect of Obesity in Efficacy and Safety in the ADAPT Trial of Efgartigimod for Generalized Myasthenia Gravis. Poster presented at the 2002 Annual Meeting of the American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM), Nashville TN, September 21 – 24, 2022.
• Howard JF Jr, Sleasman JW, Steeland S, Sips M, Gelinas D, De Haard H, Guptill JT, Azar A, Winthrop K, in collaboration with the ADAPT Investigator Study Group: Response to Coronavirus 2019 Vaccination in Patients Receiving Efgartigimod. Poster presented at the 2002 Annual Meeting of the American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM), Nashville TN, September 21 – 24, 2022.
• Vu T, Genge A, Hussain Y, Kaminski HJ, Leite MI, Mantegazza R, Utsugisawa K, Brock M, Boroojerdi B, Vanderkelen M, de la Borderie G, Duda PW, Howard JF Jr on behalf of the RAISE Investigators: Efficacy and safety of zilucoplan in myasthenia gravis: Responder analysis from the randomized Phase 3 RAISE trial. Poster presented at the 2002 Annual Meeting of the American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM), Nashville TN, September 21 – 24, 2022.
• Genge A, Hussain Y, Kaminski HJ, Leite MI, Mantegazza R, Utsugisawa K, Vu T, Brock M, Boroojerdi B, Vanderkelen M, de la Borderie G, Duda PW, Howard JF Jr on behalf of the RAISE Investigators: Safety and tolerability of zilucoplan in RAISE-XT: A multicenter, open-label extension study in patients with generalized myasthenia gravis. Poster presented at the 2002 Annual Meeting of the American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM), Nashville TN, September 21 – 24, 2022.
• Morgan M, Habib AA, Nowak RJ, Muppidi S, Parthan A, Kielhorn A, Wang J, Howard JF Jr: Real-world effectiveness of eculizumab in Black patients with generalized myasthenia gravis in the US: results from a retrospective observational study. Poster presented at the 2002 Annual Meeting of the American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM), Nashville TN, September 21 – 24, 2022.
• Drexel C, Bixler E, Kowalski K, Mvalo G, Howard JF Jr: Are health care providers (HCPS) ready for a paradigm shift for generalized myasthenia gravis (GMG) care? Poster presented at the 2002 Annual Meeting of the American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM), Nashville TN, September 21 – 24, 2022.
• Brandsema JF, Ginsberg M, Hoshino H, Mimaki M, Nagata S, Rao V, Ruzhansky K, Suresh N, Tiongson E, Yamanouchi H, Frick G, Hicks E, Liao S, Howard JF Jr: A Phase 3, Open-Label, Multicenter Study to Evaluate Eculizumab in Pediatric Patients with Refractory Generalized Myasthenia Gravis. Poster presented at the 2002 Annual Meeting of the American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM), Nashville TN, September 21 – 24, 2022.
• Mantegazza R, Bril V, Vu T, Karam C, Peric S, De Bleecker JL, Murai H, Meisel A, Beydoun s, Pasnoor M, Ulrights P, Van Hoorick B, T’joen C, Utsugisawa K, Verschuuren J, Howard JF Jr in collaboration with the ADAPT Investigator Study Group: Long-Term Safety, Tolerability, and Efficacy of Efgartigimod in Patients with Generalized Myasthenia Gravis: Interim Results of the ADAPT+ Study. Poster presented at the 23rd Annual Neuromuscular Study Group Scientific Meeting, Stresa, Lake Maggiore, Italy, September 30 – October 2, 2022.

Course Presentation

• Howard JF Jr (course director), Looking Ahead in Myasthenia Gravis: Expert Perspectives on Current Standards and the Next Frontiers. Medscape, September 22, 2022.

Diana Mercedes Cejas, MD

Conferences:

• Lecture on Disability in Medicine at the University of Massachusetts – Amherst as part of their Diverse Women in STEM Annual Conference
• Talk about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Pediatric Neurology as part of the Texas A&M 2022 Hispanic Heritage Month Lecture Series, October 2022.
• I was invited to give a talk on Disability in Medicine at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health as part of their lecture series for undergraduates.
• I’m part of a team that got a bit of funding from the Lucille Packard Foundation to support our “Disability Inclusive Vision for Engaged Research and Service for Equity (DIVERSE) Collective” project. The goal of that project is to explore the psychosocial factors that influence health outcomes in youth with disabilities.

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James F Howard Jr, MD

Invited Lectures/Visiting Professor

• Warren Wismer Lecturer in Myasthenia Gravis, Therapeutic Advances in Myasthenia Gravis: A Tale of Two Targets (by webcast), University of Alberta Neuroscience Rounds, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, October 7, 2022.
• Lecturer/Course Faculty at the MG Forum in Tokyo, New Era of gMG treatment: clinical data of Vyvgartâ. Hilltop Hotel, Tokyo, Japan, October 17, 2022.
• Lecturer/Course Faculty at the MG Forum in Osaka, New Era of gMG treatment: clinical data of Vyvgartâ. Hilton Osaka Hotel, Osaka, Japan, October 18, 2022.
• Lecturer/Course Faculty at the MG Forum in Fukuoka, New Era of gMG treatment: clinical data of Vyvgartâ. Grand Hyatt Hotel, Fukuoka, Japan, October 19, 2022.
• Lecturer at the Japanese Society of Neuroimmunology, Argenx Myasthenia Gravis Symposium, Innovation In Treating Adult Patients With gMG: Clinical data of VYVGART®(efgartigimod alfa), Nagasaki, Japan, October 20, 2022.

Presentations of Significance

• Howard JF Jr, Li G, Vu T, Bril V, Margania T, Malkova N, Smilowski M, Banaszkiewicz K, Lui L, Steeland S, Noukens J, Van Hoorick B, Podhorna J, Casey J, Li Y, Utsugisawa K, Wiendl H, De Bleecker JL, Mantegazza R: Pharmacodynamic noninferiority study comparing subcutaneous injection of efgartigimod PH20 with intravenous infusions of efgartigimod: Results of Phase 3 ADAPTsc study. Poster presented at the Annual World Muscle Society meeting, Halifax, Nova Scotia, October 12, 2022.
• Drexel C, Bixler E, Kowalski K, Masterson S, Howard JF Jr: A new era for gMG management: Impact of continuing education on improving diagnosis and classification of gMG patients. Virtual Poster presented at the Annual World Muscle Society meeting, Halifax, Nova Scotia, October 12, 2022.
• Mantegazza R, Wiendl H, Li G, Margania T, Utsugisawa K, Korobko D, Smilowski M, Szczudlik A, Banaszkiewicz K, Liu L, Steeland S, Noukens J, Van Hoorick B, Podhorna J, Howard JF Jr, for the ADAPTSC study group: ADAPTsc: a Phase 3, randomised, open-label, parallel-group, noninferiority study comparing subcutaneous injection of efgartigimod PH20 1000 mg with intravenous infusions of efgartigimod 10 mg/kg. Paper read at the XXII Congresso Nazionale of the Associazione Italiana Miologia, Matera, Italy, October 19-22, 2022.
• Utsugisawa K, Howard JF Jr, Bril V, Vu T, Karam C, Peric S, De Bleecker JL, Murai H, Pasnoor M, Sacca F, Meisel A, Guglietta A, T’joen C, Mantegazza R in collaboration with the ADAPT
• Investigator Study Group: Efgartigimod Treatment of Anti-acetylcholine Receptor Antibody Negative Myasthenia Gravis Patients. Paper read at the 34th Annual Meeting of The Japanese Society for Neuroimmunology in Nagasaki, Japan, October 20-21, 2022.
• Vu T, Meisel A, Mantegazza R, Annane D, Katsuno M, Aguzzi R, Rampal N, Howard JF Jr, and the CHAMPION MG Study Group: Long-term efficacy and safety of ravulizumab, a long-acting terminal complement inhibitor, in adults with anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive generalized myasthenia gravis: Results from the phase 3 CHAMPION MG open-label extension. Poster presented at the 34th Annual Meeting of The Japanese Society for Neuroimmunology in Nagasaki, Japan, October 20-21, 2022.

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UNC Neurology had a strong showing at the Neurocritical Care Society Annual Meeting on October 17-21, 2022 in San Antonio, Texas. Three faculty gave invited talks:

• Varina Boerwinkle, MD, Concurrent Session: “Resting State fMRI in Acute Brain Injury for Neuroprognostication of Functional Outcomes & Epilepsy, Incremental Evaluation of Covert Consciousness, and Evaluation of Epileptogenic Networks
• Dave Hwang, MD, General Session: “Shared Decision Making to Improve Goals of Care Decisions for Families of Severe Acute Brain Injury Patients”; Concurrent Session: “Neuroprognostication in Intracerebral Hemorrhage”
• Casey Olm-Shipman, MD, MS, Concurrent Session: “Delivering on the Promise of Health Equity in Neurocritical Care: Leveraging Quality improvement to Reduce Health Disparities”.

In addition, selected UNC Neurology poster presentations at the NCS Annual Meeting included:

• Predicting Shunt Dependency from the Effects of Cerebrospinal Fluid Drainage on Ventricular Size (Distinguished Poster)
  • Clio Rubinos, Soon Bin Kwon, Murad Megjhani, Kalijah Terilli, Brenda Wong, Lizbeth Cespedes, Jenna Ford, Renz Reyes, Hannah Kirsch, Ayham Alkhachroum, Angela Velazquez, David Roh, Sachin Agarwal, Jan Claassen, E. Sander Connolly Jr, Soojin Park

• ICU Resource Utilization After Mechanical Thrombectomy: Is ICU Level Care Required for All Patients? (Distinguished Poster)
  • Lindsey Krawchuk, Rachel Do, Clio Rubinos, James Pham Ho, Dena Williams

• In-person vs. Phone Approach of Undecided Families of Potential Organ Donors by Organ Procurement Organizations
  • Qiang Zhang, Brandon McKown, Jill Stinebring, Dave Hwang

• Application of the 2HELPS2B Score for Seizure Detection in the ICU: an Opportunity to Improve High-Value Care
  • Fazila Aseem, Emily Fink, Parin Nanavati, Jessica Werdel, Grace K. DeHoff, Angela Wabulya, Clio A. Rubinos, Suzette M. LaRoche, Casey Olm-Shipman

• Psychosocial resources desired by families of coma survivors in neurointensive care units: a multicenter qualitative study.
  • Jisoo Kim, Mira Reichman, Sarah Bannon, Kate Meurer, Rina Kubota, Nithy Baskaran, Qiang Zhang, Nathan Fishbein, Kate Lichstein, Paula Popok, Ethan Lester, Melissa Motta, Susanne Muehlschlegel, Michael Reznik, Matt Jaffa, Claire Creutzfeldt, Corey Fehnel, Amanda Tomlinson, Craig Williamson, Ana-Maria Vranceanu, Dave Hwang, and the COMA-F Investigators

• Building a culture of safety in the neurosciences intensive care unit: Improving error reporting through an interprofessional improvement action team
  • Grace DeHoff; Lau, W; Cadena, R; Biancaniello, S; Cosgrove, J; Degrange, R; Dehne, K; Hoke, E; John, K; Lester, S; McGee, C; Medling, L; Navarroli, M; Rubash, E; Soares-Sardinha, S; Tallon, J; Werlau, T; Olm-Shipman, C.

• Association of Serum Pyridoxal Phosphate Levels with Established Status Epilepticus
  • Clio Rubinos, Maria Jose Bruzzone, Courtney Blodgett, Carolyn Tsai, Puja Patel, Rachel Hianik, Rakesh Jadav, Jordane Boudesseul, Chunning Liu, Hongtu Zhu Liu, Susan E. Wilson, Casey Olm-Shipman, Rick Meeker, Lawrence Hirsch

• Association Between Rotational Thromboelastometry and Serum von Willebrand Factor Antigen in COVID-19 Patients Presenting with Acute Ischemic Stroke: a Retrospective Case Series
  • Jesus Salas, Elochukwu Ibekwe, Amanda Zakeri, Shahid Nimjee, Jessica Zakeri, Tamara Strohm

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Diana Mercedes Cejas, MD

Conferences:

• Presented as part of a seminar at the The 51st CNS Annual Meeting on October 12 – 15, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The seminar was entitled “Disability in Child Neurology: Society, Medicine and the Person.”
• Part of a panel during one of the concurrent sessions at the 2022 PCORI (Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute) Annual Meeting on October 26 – 27, 2022. That session is entitled “Achieving Health Equity: How Can Comparative Effectiveness Research Help Address Structural Discrimination?”.

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Monica Diaz, MD, MS

Poster Presentations

• Li X, Landis T, Diaz MM. Anti-IgLON5 disease unmasked by asymptomatic COVID infection (Abstract S204). Presented as a poster presentation at American Neurological Association (ANA) 2022 Conference, October 23, 2022; Chicago, IL, USA
• Huff H, Villanueva-Colina C, Hamer D, Diaz MM, Koralnik I, Garcia PJ. Neurologic and Neurocognitive Sequelae Following COVID-19 in Lima, Peru (Abstract LB-S115). Presented as a poster presentation at American Neurological Association (ANA) 2022 Conference, October 23, 2022; Chicago, IL, USA 

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Clio Rubinos, MD, MSCR, was the lead presenter for the poster, “Desarrollo de un Proceso Estructurado para la Traducción de laNomenclatura de patrones Electroencefalográficos en Pacientes de Cuidado Crítico” at the XII Congres Latino Americano de Epilepsia in Medellin, Colombia in October 2022.  She also gave a talk entitled “The Electroencephalogram of Toxic-Metabolic Encephalopathy in Adults” at the Annual Meeting of North Carolina of Electroneurodiagnostic Technologists (NCSET) in October as well.

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Tamara Strohm, MD

Presentations: 

• Salas, J., Ibekwe, E., Zakeri, A., Nimjee, S., Strohm, T. Association Between Rotational Thromboelastometry (ROTEM) and Serum von Willebrand Factor Antigen in COVID-19 Patients Presenting with Acute Ischemic Stroke.  Neurocritical Care Society Annual Meeting on October 17-21, 2022 in San Antonio, Texas.

Dr. Irena Dujmovic Basuroski presented at the ECHO MS Eastern Hub virtual platform, organized by the National MS Society (November 15, 2022).

James F Howard Jr, MD

Invited Lectures/Visiting Professor

• Lecturer at the 35th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Hong Kong Neurological Society, New Treatment Landscape in Generalized Myasthenia Gravis – Role of Clinical Trials to Improve Patient Outcomes (by webcast), November 11, 2022.
• Lecturer at the Annual Meeting of the Kansas Myasthenia Gravis Association, Emerging Therapeutics in Myasthenia Gravis- Hope for the Future (by webcast), November 12, 2022.

Presentations of Significance

• Howard JF Jr, Sleasman JW, Steeland S, Sips M, Gelinas D, De Haard H, Guptill JT, Azar A, Winthrop K: Response to Coronavirus 2019 Vaccination in Patients Receiving Efgartigimod. Poster presented at the 2022 Neuroweek at the DGN-Kongress 2022 (German Society of Neurology), Berlin, Germany, November 1-5, 2022.
• Boroojerdi B, Leite MI, Genge A, Hussain Y, Kaminski H, Mantegazza R, Vu T, Brock M, Vanderkelen M, de la Borderie G, Duda P, Utsugisawa K, Howard JF Jr: Efficacy and safety of zilucoplan in patients with myasthenia gravis: Phase 3 study results. Poster presented at the 2022 Neuroweek at the DGN-Kongress 2022 (German Society of Neurology), Berlin, Germany, November 1-5, 2022.

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Dave Hwang, MD, gave the following invited presentations:

• “State of neuropalliative care science 2022: where we are and where we need to go”, a plenary presentation at the virtual 2nd Annual International Neuropalliative Care Society (INPCS) meeting on November 10-12, 2022.
• “State of the UNC Neurology Division of Neurocritical Care”, for UNC Neurosurgery Grand Rounds.
• “Neuropalliative Care: Career Paths and Care Models”, for the Johns Hopkins Fellowship in Neurocritical Care Didactic Lecture Series.
• “If I only knew what I know now”, for the Neurocritical Care Society Professional Development and Career Planning Workshop Series.

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Daniel Roque, M.D.

• MDS international conference: “analysis of tremor during grasp using ultrasound imaging” presented in Madrid, Spain, as a joint effort between the department of neurology at UNC and the department of biomedical engineering at NC State/UNC
• Focus Forward conference, 2022: Dr. Roque from UNC Neurology and dr. Krishna from UNC Neurosurgery attended and represented the UNC focus ultrasound team soon to bring high intensity focus ultrasound clinical treatment to patients with essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease seen at UNC

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Clio Rubinos, MD, MSCR

On November 4^th, I gave a lecture in Lima, Peru, at the V International Course of Epilepsy, sponsored by the International League Against Epilepsy and Peruvian Neurology Society.

My talk was about the “Value of the Electroencephalogram as a source locator for epilepsy.”  See the pictures of the Course advertisement attached.

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Clio Rubinos, MD, MSCR

November 18^th, 2022: “Bilateral exchange program between the University of North Carolina and Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia” at the Global Health and Education in Pediatric Neurology, SOPNIA Conference, Santiago, Chile

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Miriam Sklerov, MD presented her posters at

• “An interdisciplinary care model for multiple system atrophy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill” American Autonomic Society meeting, Maui, Hawaii, November 2022
• “Frontal midline theta power in Parkinson’s disease” Society for Neuroscience annual meeting, San Diego, California November 2022
• “Neural Signatures of Alternate Nostril Breathing: An Observational Study” Society for Neuroscience annual meeting, San Diego, California November 2022
• “Exploration of diagnostic and progression biomarkers for parkinsonian syndromes in CNS-originating extracellular vesicles.” Society for Neuroscience annual meeting, San Diego, California November 2022

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Claudia Testa, MD, PhD presentation and co-author:

Abstract presented at Huntington Study Group meeting Nov 2022 and published in Journal of Huntington Disease:

Prediction of caudate and putamen volume in early Huntington’s disease using clinical characteristics
Matthew J. Barrett, MD, MSc¹; Nitai Mukhopadhyay, PhD², Jin Kim, MD³, Huma Nawaz, MBBS¹, Jefin Jose⁴, Claudia Testa, MD, PhD⁵

Joined editorial board of Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology

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Tamara Strohm, MD

Presentations: 

• Kamdar HA, Gianchandani S, Strohm T, Yadav K, Chou CZ, Reed L, Norton K, Hinduja A. Collaborative integration of palliative care in critically Ill stroke patients in the neurocritical care unit: A single center pilot study. 2nd Annual International Neuropalliative Care Society (INPCS) meeting on November 10-12, 2022 (virtual).

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Laura de Lima Xavier, MD

PGY-3 Resident Laura de Lima Xavier presented their poster at International Neuroethics Society Annual Meeting (Virtual) de Lima Xavier, L., Roque, Daniel (November 2022). Self vs machine: clinical and ethical implications of the effects of deep brain stimulation on cognition. 

American Epilepsy Society Meeting 2022

• Dr. Varina Boerwinkle presented at Platform E | Clinical Epilepsy
• Dr. Diana Cejas presented at the Satellite Symposium | Exploring Health Disparities, Inequities, and Barriers to Care for Black Patients Living with Epilepsy
• Dr. Senyene Hunter presented on Professional Development | Career Skills: Surviving First Year as Faculty/Attending
• Dr. Lynn Liu presented two sessions – Professional Development | Career Skills: Interdisciplinary Team Building, and Professional Development | Career Pathways: Clinical Care Emphasis Panel
• Dr. Clio Rubinos presented at the Spanish Symposium | Seizures and Use of Electroencephalography (EEG) in the ICU

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Monica Diaz, MD, MS

Presentations

Abstract presentations:

• Wandera S, Diaz MM, Ayuku D, Duncan E. Cognitive Stimulaton Therapy for older people with Dementia in Africa: a Scoping Review. Dementia and Brain Aging in Low-and-Middle-Income Countries conference by the Alzheimer’s Association; December 7-9, 2022, Nairobi, Kenya. Presented as a poster presentation (Poster #70115)
•  Li X, Landis T, Diaz MM. Anti-IgLON5 disease unmasked by asymptomatic COVID infection (Abstract S204). Presented as a poster presentation at American Neurological Association 2022 Conference, October 23, 2022; Chicago, IL, USA (in-person); Presenting author.
• Huff H, Villanueva-Colina C, Hamer D, Diaz MM, Koralnik I, Garcia PJ. Neurologic and Neurocognitive Sequelae Following COVID-19 in Lima, Peru (Abstract LB-S115). Presented as a poster presentation at American Neurological Association 2022 Conference, October 23, 2022; Chicago, IL, USA (in-person); Co-author.

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Dave Hwang, MD, presented “Supporting surrogate decision makers in neuroscience ICUs” at Duke Neurology Grand Rounds.

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Clio Rubinos, MD, MSCR

December 2^nd, 2022: “Case Illustration of Seizures in a Critically Ill Patient” at the American Epilepsy Society, Nashville, Tennessee

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Clio Rubinos, MD, MSCR

The Electroencephalogram of Toxic-Metabolic Encephalopathy (delirium) in Adults, Annual meeting of North Carolina of Electroneurodiagnostic Technologists (NCSET), North Carolina – USA

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The Division of Neurocritical Care also presented or co-authored the following conference posters:

1. Aseem F, Liu C, Nalluri D, Dhakar M, Zou F, Sivaraju A, Zafa S, Punia V, Rubinos C.  Disparities in the Utilization of Anti-Seizure Medications in Critically Ill Patients Undergoing Continuous Electroencephalogram Monitoring. American Epilepsy Society, December 2 – 6, 2022 
2. McKee Z, Chandan P, Rubinos C, Dhakar M, Zafar S, Sivaraju A, Punia V. Refractory Acute Symptomatic Seizure in Critically Ill Adults from a Multicenter Cohort Study. American Epilepsy Society, December 2 – 6, 2022
3. Whalen J, Aseem F, Nanavati P, Werdel J, Wabulya A, Rubinos C, Olm-Shipman C, LaRoche S. Application of the 2Help2B Score for Seizure Detection in the ICU: Improving High-Value Care. American Epilepsy Society, December 2 – 6, 2022
4. Daruvala S, Punia V, Sivaraju A, Zafar S, Rubinos C, Hirsch L, Dhakar M. An international Survey of Acute and Chronic Management Practices of Acute Symptomatic Seizures and Highly Epileptiform Abnormalities on EEG. American Epilepsy Society, December 2 – 6, 2022
5. Rice H, Erlich-Malona N, Haider M, Tveter E, Punia V, Sivaraju A, Rubinos C, Dhakar M, Zafar S. Anti-Seizure Medication Use and Outcomes in Hospitalized Patients Undergoing Continuous EEG monitoring – A Multicenter Study. American Epilepsy Society, December 2 – 6, 2022
6. Tsai C, Blodgett C, Seo S, Powers W, Rubinos C. Utility of Clinical Features in Identifying Nonconvulsive Seizures in Hospitalized Patients. American Epilepsy Society, December 2 – 6, 2022

   

7. Matthew C F., Savoldo B, Lau W, Rubinos C, Grover N, Armistead P, Coghill J, Jamieson K, Hagan R, Morrison K, Brianne F, Cheng C, Ivanova A, Cavallo T, West J, Foster A, Serody J, Dotti G. Abrogation of Immune Effector Cell Neurotoxicity Syndrome (ICANS) by rimiducid (RIM) in patients treated with CD19-Specific Chimeric Antigen Receptor Modified T-Cells (CAR-T) Engineered with an Inducible Caspase 9 (iC9 CAR.19)—Clinical and Pharmacodynamic Correlates. American Society of Hematology, December 10 -13, 2022