Cleveland Clinic Mellen Center Update in Multiple Sclerosis 2025

• Target Audience: meurologists, psychologists
• Sample video: contact me for sample video
• Information:

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 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.

6. 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

13 Approaching Dysarthria Dysphagia Challenges in MS Danielle Brown

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