To enhance member career fulfillment and promote brain health for all
American Academy of Neurology
201 Chicago Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55415 USA
Phone: (800) 879-1960 (Toll Free) or (612) 928-6000 (International)
Fax: (612) 454-2746
Email: memberservices@aan.com
Website: AAN.com
AAN Chief Executive Officer: Mary E. Post, MBA, CAE
Managing Editor: Angela M. Babb, MS, CAE, APR
Editor: Val Lick
Writers: Ryan Knoke, Sarah Parsons
Designer: Andrew Imholte
Photography: Will Evans
Annual Meeting Daily is published by the American Academy of Neurology. The American Academy of Neurology’s registered trademarks and service marks are registered in the United States and various other countries around the world.
Frontiers in Neuroscience
Education Courses 7:00 a.m.–9:00 a.m.
Neuroscience in the Clinic | Scientific Sessions 1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Hall 11:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Courses 1:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
Basic and translational research related to clinical issues of importance will be highlighted when five outstanding researchers provide summaries of their late-breaking findings and describe the clinical implications of the results in this morning’s Frontiers in Neuroscience Plenary Session. The session will be moderated by Brent L. Fogel, MD, PhD, FAAN, and offer 2.25 CME credits.
Speakers and topics include:
A Roadmap to Precision Medicine in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Precision Medicine in Neurology: Cutting Edge and Emerging Pharmacogenomics for Personalized Neurological Care
Bioengineering Tools for Noninvasive Control and Monitoring of the Brain
Impact of Climate Change on Global Brain Health
Therapy
Continue the conversation at the follow-up popcorn talks!
11:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Practice and Policy Hub (20D Lobby)
1:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m.
Research Hub (11B)
Want to delve deeper into the topics discussed during the Frontiers in Neuroscience Plenary? Join us for these 30-minute interactive sessions to further process and reflect on key insights and takeaways, ask questions, share your thoughts, and engage in meaningful discussions with peers and experts. Whether you’re looking to clarify concepts, explore practical applications, or simply connect with fellow clinicians, these sessions are the perfect platform to enhance your understanding and foster collaborative learning!
Nilufer Ertekin-Taner, MD, PhD, FAAN, Mayo Clinic
Jerzy Szablowski, PhD, Rice University
Beth A. Malow, MD, MS, FAAN, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
William D. Freeman, MD, FAAN, Mayo Clinic
Michel Sadelain, MD, PhD, Columbia University
Worried about preparing for the board exam? AAN resources to the rescue!
If you’re planning to take your American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) initial certification exam in neurology, then be sure and check out these AAN resources to help ensure you’re prepared!
Board Prep Edition
Access syllabi on the 21 most heavily weighted categories from the ABPN content outline for the initial certification exam in neurology.
Features:
• Convenient learning with video lectures from content specialists
• A practice exam made up of 400 multiplechoice questions with feedback and suggestions for further reading
• 12 months of access and the opportunity to download course materials for offline studying
Residents can purchase the course individually or talk to their program director about bulk purchasing—we offer discounts of 10% off when purchasing five or more enrollments! Learn more at AAN.com/NeuroReady.
Determine your strengths and areas for improvement and help enhance your testtaking abilities.
Features:
• Exam results compare your performance to other neurologists and include feedback provided by subspecialty area and suggestions for further reading
• Mobile-friendly: take the exam on your own schedule, as a timed test, or at your own pace
• Up to 20% of questions with images Learn more at AAN.com/NeuroSAE.
PANELS
Bring your clinical studies and training materials to life as you explore real-world patient cases! This live webinar series features José H. Posas, MD, FAAN, and expert panelists in interactive discussions on a wide range of neurology specialty cases of varying complexity. Ongoing live and up to 20 recorded webinars available.
Check out the new series of NeuroPanels that feature a care team approach to the patient workup and differential diagnosis. Learn more at AAN.com/NeuroPanels.
Global neurology leaders unite at Annual Meeting
Leaders from neurological societies around the world met Tuesday at the Annual Meeting’s Global Leaders Roundtable to discuss pressing international neurology issues.
Get up to 55% off Annual Meeting On Demand + access content through March 1, 2026
Day 5
2 Speech that’s less than clear, often from dysarthria
Accessing Annual Meeting content is super flexible with 2025 Annual Meeting On Demand—and it’s not too late to bundle it with your meeting registration to save up to 55% on regular pricing. With Annual Meeting On Demand, you’ll be able to travel back in time to most session recordings and even have the ability to claim 375+ CME through March 1, 2026!
ACROSS 1 Neurosurgeon with an underground brain collection at Yale, where "Brain Society" members once signed their name to commemorate their visit
3 Pruritic
4 Childhood epilepsy named after Lennox and ____
Contact aanamsupport@cmrus.com by May 7, 2025, or visit the registration area in the convention center to take advantage of these savings.
5 Hooked on memories, this brain structure helps connect scent to nostalgia
6 Speedy syphilis screener looking for antibodies (acronym)
Can we have a word? Try today’s crossword!
Take a break to follow these clues and solve today’s crossword puzzle, created by neuropsychologist Sarah Levy, PhD. Find her crosswords in each issue of Annual Meeting Daily! Solutions are on page 22.
ACROSS 1 Neurosurgeon with an underground brain collection at Yale, where "Brain Society" members once signed their name to commemorate their visit
ACROSS 1 Neurosurgeon with an underground brain collection at Yale, where "Brain Society" members once signed their name to commemorate their visit
8 What axons do with neural signals, from dendrite to axon terminal
2 Speech that’s less than clear, often from dysarthria
3 Pruritic
4 Childhood epilepsy named after Lennox and ____
9 "____ Upon an Open Brain" published in Neurology and the Humanities: Reflections, by neurosurgeon Eric Oermann, MD
2 Speech that’s less than clear, often from dysarthria 3 Pruritic 4 Childhood epilepsy named after Lennox and ____ 7 Where a neurologist used to jot down their prescribed ideas? Day 5
5 Hooked on memories, this brain structure helps connect scent to nostalgia
5 Hooked on memories, this brain structure helps connect scent to nostalgia
7 Where a neurologist used to jot down their prescribed ideas? Day 5
6 Speedy syphilis screener looking for antibodies (acronym)
ACROSS
1 Neurosurgeon with an underground brain collection at Yale, where "Brain Society" members once signed their name to commemorate their visit
7 Where a neurologist used to jot down their prescribed ideas?
10 Pronator ____; weak arm's subtle detour DOWN
1 Father of modern neurology, first to describe sclérose en plaques
6 Speedy syphilis screener looking for antibodies (acronym)
8 What axons do with neural signals, from dendrite to axon terminal
9 "____ Upon an Open Brain" published in Neurology and the Humanities: Reflections, by neurosurgeon Eric Oermann, MD
8 What axons do with neural signals, from dendrite to axon terminal 9 "____ Upon an Open Brain" published in Neurology and
5 Hooked on memories, this brain structure helps connect scent to
Pronator ____;
2 Speech that’s less than clear, often from dysarthria
3 Pruritic
4 Childhood epilepsy named after Lennox and ____
7 Where a neurologist used to jot down their prescribed ideas?
Sarah Levy, PhD
Sarah Levy, PhD
How the AAN is promoting brain health for all
Promoting brain health for all is part of the AAN’s mission—and its groundbreaking Brain Health Initiative focuses on enhancing brain health at every stage of life, from a person’s earliest years of development to their oldest years.
“The AAN is fully committed to improving lives and making a meaningful impact on the landscape of brain health,” said AAN President Elect Natalia S. Rost, MD, MPH, FAAN, FAHA, vice chair of the AAN Brain Health Committee. “We are proud to promote scientific discovery, education, public policy, and collaborative partnerships that forge the way in making ‘brain health for all’ a reality.”
Steps the AAN has taken to promote brain health for all include:
Creating the annual AAN Brain Health Summit, which convenes distinguished thought leaders from academia, professional medical and patient organizations, government, research institutions, payers, industry, and advocacy groups. Featured keynote speakers showcase advancements, and attendees make connections, share ideas and act on top collaborative priorities that impact brain health across the lifespan.
• Educating the public about neurology and brain health. The AAN publishes Brain & Life®, a website, magazine, podcast, and book series for people with neurological conditions, caregivers, and anyone interested in brain health. Other public education resources include explanatory web pages and frequent press releases breaking down new research.
• Providing brain health resources to medical professionals everywhere. Clinical practice guidelines are available for free on AAN.com, and the AAN’s flagship journal Neurology® publishes research and resources. One example from the past year is an “Emerging Issues in Neurology” article on the neurologist’s role in promoting brain health—accompanied by public resources on questions to ask your doctor for better brain health. AAN leaders are committed to developing additional life-stage-specific brain health resources for practitioners.
Leading the way in scientific research in neurology through awards and scholarships like the Sacco Scholars program, which connects two early career trainees with funding for two-year research programs on brain health in partnership with the American Heart Association.
• Advocating relentlessly for neurologists and their patients. The AAN’s advocacy staff—and countless members—communicate with legislators to promote brain health-friendly policy and the funding of important research and care initiatives.
With more than one in three people worldwide living with a neurological condition, there’s no better time to work together for better brain health. Learn more about our bold brain health agenda at AAN.com/BrainHealth
How does the AAN define brain health?
“A continuous state of attaining and maintaining the optimal neurologic function that best supports one’s physical, mental, and social wellbeing through every stage of life.”
Pillars of brain health
These pillars provide the framework for the AAN Brain Health Initiative.
Science
Accelerating research and discovery to achieve scientific breakthroughs in preventing neurologic conditions and advancing brain health research.
Patient Care
Providing trustworthy brain health resources to medical professionals at all stages of training.
Public Policy
Advancing brain health by working with policymakers at the federal and state levels.
Public Education
Engaging with the public about how to keep your brain healthy through every stage of life.
Last chance to visit the exhibit hall— grab your passport and come on down!
Grab your AAN Exhibit Hall Passport—or pick one up in the exhibit hall if you haven’t already—and make your way to Exhibit Hall BCD before 4:00 p.m. for the last day of fun- and information-packed happenings! Your “passport” is your chance to win prizes, including a grand prize drawing of a 2026 Annual Meeting registration and a three-night stay in an AAN block hotel—compliments of the Academy. You must be present at the drawing, which takes place at 3:30 p.m. at the Alexion booth (#2120), to win and claim a prize.
Join forces with your friends and colleagues to experience these interactive exhibits, events, and other fun opportunities (and don’t forget to harness the power of the AAN Conferences mobile app to help you find more details and locations!):
• Get an incredible personalized SketchBot Mosaic portrait— artistically drawn completely by a robot in less than 45 seconds! Take your sketch home and get it emailed to you and displayed on a digital screen in the Sails Pavilion.
• Visit the Puppy Park, where Puppy Love will be providing playful fourlegged friends to help relieve stress and put a smile on your face!
• Create a work of art while enjoying a glass of wine in the guided Paint and Wine session in the Innovation Hub. Limited to the first 40 participants—first come, first served.
• Grab a cup of coffee or specialty hot or iced espresso drink at the Buzz Cafes. Whether you prefer regular or decaf, vegan or half & half, there’s a coffee beverage for you!
• Relax and recharge your devices—and yourself—while connecting with colleagues from the variety of comfortable seating options and locations in the Exhibit Hall Charging Lounges.
• Check out the latest research at the Poster Hall.
• Explore booths organized in thematic neighborhoods, including the brand new Digital Health Neighborhood, an area dedicated to the latest innovative advancements in digital health technology.
• Learn about pipeline products, new notable companies, and more at the Exhibitor Presentation Stage.
Helpful Hints for Heroes Helpful Hints for Heroes
To reach these links in a flash, go to AAN.com/QuickLinks.
Attendee lunch
Attendee lunch is included in your registration fee and served from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. today in the exhibit hall. Lunches are served in compostable boxes to help with sustainability efforts.
Program slides available online
Slides are available online only at AAN.com/Materials or through the AAN Conferences mobile app. You can access program materials through March 1, 2026. (Please note that availability of materials is at the discretion of the specific speaker. Not all sessions will have materials.)
Want more time to review programs?
Add Annual Meeting On Demand to your registration now to save up to 55% and to extend your access to session recordings through March 1, 2026. Check the back of your badge to see if you already have Annual Meeting On Demand. If not, head to registration or email aanamsupport@cmrus.com by May 7, 2025, to add it to your registration.
Get your certificate of attendance
You can download your Certificate of Attendance at AAN.com/QuickLinks
You’ll need your AAN ID or registration confirmation number to access it.
Submit evaluations for CME
Complete your evaluations by May 7, 2025 (or March 1, 2026, with Annual Meeting On Demand) to get your CME credits by using the AAN Conferences mobile app or by visiting AAN.com/AMCME Transcripts will be available upon evaluation submission. AAN members can also access their transcript via NeuroTracker™ at AAN.com/NeuroTracker. Enter your 6-digit ID and password to log in.
AANTV Studio
Stop by the AANTV Studio at the top of the escalators by Ballroom 20 (the Plenary Session room) to witness live interviews being recorded for later broadcast on the desktop platform, TV monitors around the convention center, AAN.com/AANTV, and YouTube.
Access past content
Share your feedback
Please take five minutes to complete the overall evaluation for the Annual Meeting at AAN.com/AMCME . Your feedback will help us to continue to improve this conference and other AAN conferences in the future.
Conference attendees have access to content on the desktop platform through May 7, 2025. Visit AAN.com/AMOnline and use your 6-digit ID and password to log in. It may take up to 48 hours after course completion for content to become available online.
Today’s power-packed AAN Conferences mobile app tips
The powerful AAN Conferences mobile app makes catching a session you might have missed easier than ever. Here’s how:
• View the recording in the mobile app—or on your computer through a web browser—simply by returning to the session you missed and selecting the “Play Recording” button for a full review of the program.
• Recorded sessions are available within 48 hours of the program’s conclusion.
• Attendees are able to access recordings through May 7, 2025.
• For extended access, add Annual Meeting On Demand to your existing meeting registration.
Need mobile app support? Stop by Meeting Information and Tech Support in B Lobby and near Ballroom 20.
Bonus Tip:
Complete your evaluations to claim your CME! You must be logged into AAN.com with your AAN ID and password to access evaluations. To access the CME evaluations:
• Find the program for which you’d like to claim credit
• Select the course evaluation link Don’t forget to complete your evaluations by May 7, 2025, to claim CME!
Today’s Publications Talks
Navigating Peer Review and Addressing Reviewer Comments
Publications Area (Sails Pavilion: Bayside) 11:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
José G. Merino, MD, MPhil, FAHA, FAAN; Olga Ciccarelli, MD, PhD, FRCP; Amy Kunchok, MBBS, MMed, FRACP, PhD
The editors from the Neurology® family of journals will highlight some recommendations for potential authors preparing manuscripts for journal submission. This will be an interactive session; come prepared with questions.
How to Contribute to the Neurology® Resident & Fellow Section
Publications Area (Sails Pavilion: Bayside) 11:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Katherine Fu, MD
The Neurology® Resident & Fellow Section (RFS) disseminates scholarly work on topics related to clinical neurology for trainees. This session is designed for trainees and educators and will provide an overview of RFS, discuss publication tips for first-time authors, and review ways in which trainees can get more involved as authors, peer reviewers, or members of the RFS editorial board. The discussion will end with a Q&A session for attendees.
Ludwig Gutmann, MD, FAAN; Heidi G. Moawad, MD; Lealani M. Acosta, MD, MPH, FAAN
Need mobile app support? Stop by Meeting Information and Tech Support in B Lobby and near Ballroom 20.
How was your Annual Meeting experience? We want to hear from you!
Please take five minutes to complete the overall Annual Meeting evaluation that can be found on the AAN Conference mobile app’s main menu. Your valuable feedback will help us improve the meeting in the future!
This session will cover how narrative and medicine can enhance wellness and decrease burnout, analyze a piece of creative writing and discuss its impact, and discuss the role of artificial intelligence (AI) and its influence on creative writing. Participants will have the opportunity to respond to a creative writing prompt and contrast with one written by AI.
Neuromodulation tools in stroke treatment, prevention are focus of today’s Neuroscience in the Clinic
Today’s Neuroscience in the Clinic will emphasize the enormous changes occurring in neurorehabilitation and underscore the tremendous excitement in this burgeoning branch of neurology. Taking place from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in 29A, directors Fernando D. Testai, MD, PhD, FAAN, and A. M. Barrett, MD, FAAN, will be joined by expert faculty David Lin, MD, and Theresa L. Bender Pape, DrPH, MA, SLP/L, FACRM, and abstract presenters Era Gupta, MBBS; Marianna Leite; Sunil K. Narayan, MD, FAAN; and Ahmed Negida, MD, PhD, to discuss technological advances as they relate to neurorehabilitation and recovery from neurological disease. The talk will focus on artificial intelligence and robots, which stand to substantially change the way we diagnose and treat patients, as well as the potential therapeutic benefits of brain stimulation.
“Emerging technological innovations have shown great promise for revolutionizing stroke management across the entire continuum of care,” said Testai. “This session will provide practitioners who participate in the care of stroke patients with exciting information on groundbreaking advances in using artificial intelligence and neuromodulation to enhance stroke recovery.”
The session will conclude with a panel discussion along with opportunity for questions. Attendees may claim two CME credits.
Top science draws media coverage in press conference
Paul M. George, MD, PhD, MSE, FAAN, chair of the Science Committee, spoke to reporters during a press conference on research from the 2025 Annual Meeting. Presenters were Rajesh Pahwa, MD, FAAN, of the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City; MaryAnn Mays, MD, FAAN, of the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio; and Robert J. Fox, MD, FAAN, of the Cleveland Clinic.
Pahwa’s abstract, which is part of the Late-breaking Science program, is titled “TRANQUIL: Pivotal Study of the Felix NeuroAI Wristband in Patients with Essential Tremor.”
Mays presented on “Mi-Helper Transnasal Cooling for Acute Migraine Treatment: A Prospective, Double-blind, Randomized, Sham-controlled, Decentralized Dosing Study,” which was also part of the Latebreaking Science program.
Fox’s abstract is “Tolebrutinib Versus Placebo in Non-Relapsing Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis: Efficacy and Safety Results from the Phase 3 HERCULES Trial.” It was presented during the Clinical Trials Plenary Session.
A recording of the press conference, which was held on March 31 via video conference, is available on the AAN YouTube channel at YouTube.com/AANChannel.
Testai Barrett Lin
Bender Pape Gupta Leite
Narayan
Negida
TODAY’S HUB HEROICS
Unleash
your inner hero at Annual
Meeting Hubs!
Prepare to step out of the traditional classroom into the dynamic world of Annual Meeting Hubs. These extraordinary learning opportunities are your chance to connect, collaborate, and learn through unconventional methods. Hubs will empower you to bring fresh perspectives and innovative approaches back to your career, patients, and community. Get ready to soar to new heights and make a heroic impact!
Here are today’s highlights:
Practice and Policy Hub 20D Lobby
Leveraging the EHR to Improve Patient Care
1:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
The electronic health record, when leveraged fully, can be a powerful tool to facilitate a deeper understanding of health care disparities in neurological care, which in turn will help drive targeted interventions that will hopefully result in more equitable, higher quality, patientcentered neurological health care. Learn about the AAN’s Toolkit for Improving the Accuracy and Completeness of Race and Ethnicity Data Collected in Your Practice and discuss EHR functionality and workflows that can support optimized data collection.
HeadTalks D Lobby
Standing on the Shoulders of Giants: Steven Galetta, MD, FAAN
1:00 p.m.–1:45 p.m.
Hear from renowned neuroophthalmologist Steven Galetta, MD, FAAN, chair of the department of neurology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, about his life and career. Galetta, who received the AAN A.B. Baker Award for Lifetime Achievement in Neurological Education in 2018, has served on AAN committees and work groups, served as faculty for numerous Annual Meeting courses, and currently serves on the Education Committee.
Leadership University 5B
Chief Confidential: Difficult Conversations with Physicians 11:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m.
Apply skills you’ve learned in the practice of medicine to have difficult conversations with other practitioners to effectively correct behavioral issues.
Want to take your leadership skills to the next level?
Applications are now open for three prestigious, all-expenses-paid AAN Leadership Programs that offer executive leadership education, collaboration and networking with peers, and one-to-one coaching and mentorship. Learn more at the Leadership University Hub and apply by May 15.
• Diversity Leadership Program: Develops leadership skills in members from groups that are underrepresented in neurology.
• Emerging Leaders Program: Engages talented early-career members who have the disposition to lead and are interested in future roles within the AAN and the field of neurology.
• Practice Leadership Program: Develops leadership skills in solo and small practitioners while accommodating their busy schedules.
Academic Hub
27 Lobby
Thriving in the Ivory Tower: How to Improve Neurologist Well-being in Academia
11:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
Improving well-being in academic neurology requires a multi-faceted plan that includes assessment and intervention at the individual, team, and organizational levels, with particular attention to cultural issues such as psychological safety. Discover resources for assessing and addressing academic neurologist well-being that will help to fortify well-being in yourself, your team, and your department.
Innovation Hub
Exhibit Hall BCD
Trainee Hub
Sails Pavilion: Cityside
Optimizing Billing and Coding for Neurology Trainees: A Case-based Documentation Workshop
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Become empowered with essential strategies to confidently navigate the complex world of medical billing and coding. Enhance your practical skills in billing and coding through interactive, common, real-world inpatient and outpatient neurology case scenarios and quizzes.
Research Hub
11B
Frontiers in Neuroscience Plenary Popcorn Talk: Research Implications
1:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m.
Keep the conversation going from this morning’s plenary session with this discussion of research implications.
It’s Not Just Beer, It’s What the Culture’s Feeling: A Beer Tasting Talk with Culture Brewing
2:30 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Learn about Culture Brewing, a San Diego brewery co-founded by neurologist Gregory Sahagian, MD, FAAN, and engage in a guided tasting of their brews. Please note that the tasting is limited to the first 100 participants present at the start of the talk.
Virtual Reality Gaming Stations
Come experience immersive simulations of real or imaginary worlds!
Wellness
Hub Sails Pavilion: Bayside
Head to the Wellness Hub this afternoon for two talks examining how artificial intelligence may impact wellness. Can I Write Better Than AI? 1:15 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Understand how narrative and medicine can enhance wellness and decrease burnout, analyze a piece of creative writing and discuss its impact, discuss the role of artificial intelligence (AI) and influence on creative writing, and respond to a creative writing prompt and contrast with one written by AI.
Paging Dr. Robot: Surviving Clinic in the AI Age 2:15 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
As various AI tools are introduced into clinic, providers have expressed apprehensions and hesitancy: Will this make our jobs easier or more difficult? Will it improve patient care or just hinder it? Explore the latest AI tools in clinical practice, hear about recent research regarding burnout and how AI can address it, and participate in a live AI demo.
Jackson’s term as AAN president ends, Rost to succeed
Carlayne E. Jackson, MD, FAAN, is preparing for the end of her term as AAN president— passing the gavel April 10 to President Elect Natalia S. Rost, MD, MPH, FAAN, FAHA. Jackson leaves a legacy of leadership, collaboration, and advocacy that will have a lasting positive impact on the Academy.
“It has been an honor to serve as president of the AAN,” Jackson said. “We are more than an organization—we are a community of the best and brightest experts, always united toward promoting brain health for all. I am so grateful to be part of our Academy’s legacy.”
Jackson is a professor of neurology and otolaryngology at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, where she chairs the Department of Neurology and holds the Edna Smith Dielmann Distinguished University Chair, and the medical director for the South Texas ALSA Center of Excellence. She is a prominent voice in ALS, muscular dystrophy, and myasthenia gravis, and has published more than 280 abstracts, journal articles, and book chapters.
A member of the AAN for more than 25 years, Jackson was a leader in the organization long before she became president. She served as secretary on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors, chaired the
Meeting Management and Board Planning Committees, and was a member of multiple other committees and the Continuum® Editorial Board. She co-chaired the ALS Measurement Development Panel, co-authored the ALS Practice Parameters, and has participated in many other Academy efforts.
As president, Jackson was essential in groundbreaking efforts like the Brain Health Initiative, the AAN’s first five-year strategic plan, and constant advocacy work.
Perhaps the most crucial part of Jackson’s legacy in the AAN is her service as a mentor.
A graduate of the Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum, she has served as a mentor in the Emerging Leaders Program, the Diversity Leadership Program, Women Leading in Neurology, and the Transforming Leaders Program—not to mention countless mentorships outside of these formal programs. Her work shaping the future of neurology was recognized in 2017 with the AAN Leading in Excellence Mentorship Award, and dozens of fellow members can name her as a respected mentor.
“I would not be where I am without mentorship, and the AAN has fostered an environment where mentorship thrives,” Jackson said. “If there is one thing I could ask
of members, it is to be a mentor. Be that voice in someone’s life that helps their career—and their research, or their patient care, or their advocacy—rise to new heights.”
With the end of Jackson’s successful term, the AAN looks forward to Rost’s leadership as president. Rost is professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School, the C. Miller Fisher Endowed Chair in Stroke Research, and former chief of the stroke division at Massachusetts General Hospital. A cum laude graduate of Boston University School of Medicine, she also holds a Master of Public Health degree from Harvard School of Public Health, and is trained in neurology and vascular neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital residency and fellowship programs.
“I applaud Dr. Jackson for her leadership, and I am thrilled to take the helm at the American Academy of Neurology as we forge ahead to implement our bold, new strategic plan with a mission of improving brain health for all,” said Rost. “I look forward to advancing the AAN’s strategic priorities with our vibrant community of more than 40,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals. Neurologists are the experts in brain health and are uniquely positioned to help people optimize their brain health throughout their lives.”
300 unite for the 5K Run/Walk for Brain Health!
More than 300 people laced up their tennis shoes early Tuesday morning for the 5K Run/Walk for Brain Health. This Annual Meeting tradition raises money to support the AAN Brain Health Initiative—and gives attendees an opportunity for some friendly competition.
This year’s event took place at the Embarcadero Marina Park North, where participants enjoyed scenic bayside views and clear skies.
Thanks to the 2025 sponsors of the Run/Walk for Brain Health.
NEUROLOGY YEAR IN REVIEW
Available in the online platform after the Annual Meeting
Available on Thursday, April 10. To access, search for Neurology Year in Review in the AAN Conferences mobile app or online platform and select “View Recording.”
Erika F. Augustine, MD, FAAN, will moderate this session featuring six speakers, each focusing on the latest developments of interest to the clinician within a specific subspecialty topic. The session will offer 3 CME credits.
Speakers and topics include:
Breakthrough Therapies for Pediatric Neurological Disorders
Surgical Treatments for Epilepsy
Jennifer A. Vermilion, MD, University of Rochester Medical Center
Sasha Alick-Lindstrom, MD, MPH, FACNS, FAES, FAAN, UT Southwestern Medical Center
Okeanis Vaou, MD, FAAN, UT Health San Antonio
John Winkelman, MD, PhD, Harvard Medical School
Karissa Gable, MD, Duke University Thrombectomy
Ronda Lun, MD, University of Calgary
Thank You 2025 Industry Roundtable Members
The American Academy of Neurology and the Industry Roundtable collaborate on opportunities to support neurology and serve patients with neurological disease.
$75K Members
$50K Members
$25K Members
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Amneal Specialty a division of Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC
Annexon Biosciences
AstraZeneca
Axsome Therapeutics
Bayer
C2N Diagnostics
Illumina
Ionis Pharmaceuticals
Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals
Johnson & Johnson Neurocrine Biosciences
Octapharma
PTC Therapeutics
Roche Sandoz
Xenon Pharmaceuticals
$10K Members
Cartesian Therapeutics
Catalyst Pharmaceuticals Immunovant
Praxis Precision Medicines, Inc
SpringWorks Therapeutics
The Global CEO Initiative on Alzheimer’s Disease
Current as of March 3, 2025
Save the date for the next neurology superhero meetup: Fall NovemberConference, 7–9!
5
ACROSS
Solutions to today’s crossword puzzle
Did you solve today’s neurology-themed crossword puzzle, located on page 5? Check your answers here!
1 Neurosurgeon with an underground brain collection at Yale, where "Brain Society" members once signed their name to commemorate their visit
2 Speech that’s less than clear, often from dysarthria
More super science, education, and networking are on the horizon this fall in Las Vegas! The AAN Fall Conference will be landing at Caesars Palace November 7-9 with an Advanced Practice Providers Conference on November 6. This is an excellent opportunity to hear from top experts on the hottest topics in neurology and how you can immediately apply this knowledge to your practice and patient care. Taking place both in person and with an online option, the Fall Conference and APP Conference are easy, convenient, and fun ways to earn CME credits and network with your neurology community.
3 Pruritic
4 Childhood epilepsy named after Lennox and ____
Registration opens summer 2025. Visit AAN.com/Fall to learn more as details unfold.
5 Hooked on memories, this brain structure helps connect scent to nostalgia
6 Speedy syphilis screener looking for antibodies (acronym)
8 What axons do with neural signals, from dendrite to axon terminal
9 "____ Upon an Open Brain" published in Neurology and the Humanities: Reflections, by neurosurgeon Eric Oermann, MD
10 Pronator ____; weak arm's subtle detour DOWN
7 Where a neurologist used to jot down their prescribed ideas?
Learn about how we fund innovative investigations by the best and brightest early-career researchers
1 Father of modern neurology, first to describe sclérose en plaques
Can’t make it to our booth? No problem!
Scan the QR code to make a donation and become a research hero.
VOICES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING
What led you to choose neurology?
It’s tough to say where it started. I remember always having this genuine fascination with neuroscience, that one organ is responsible for everything we think and feel... Then, when my dad was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, I saw the real impact of when things go wrong. I realized how important neurologists are, how much of a difference they can make in people’s lives.
Aaron Creswell, MS
What do you like about the Annual Meeting?
Everything. I’m actually in the Diversity Leadership Program right now, and it has really opened even more horizon than what was already available at the AAN. And I’m also excited to collaborate with international colleagues—how we can expand neurology information and education so we can help our patients, not just in the United States but globally.
Ingrid P. Loma-Miller, MD
What do you love about neurology?
I love that it’s ever-changing, always updated and never really ending. I don’t see any real end for neurology, which is why I love this field.
