Beyond the Surface

Diagnosing and Treating Rare Neuroinflammatory Conditions Symposium
About this Event

Join us on Saturday, October 10, 2026, for the "Beyond the Surface: Diagnosing and Treating Rare Neuroinflammatory Conditions "Symposium, proudly hosted by the Hashimoto’s Encephalopathy/SREAT Alliance (HESA) and the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW). This hybrid event will bring together leading experts in rare neuroinflammatory conditions to bridge the gap between patients and clinicians. Topics include CHANT Syndrome, MOG/NMO Spectrum encephalitis, and FLAMES; Neuropsychiatric complications and features at onset in MS; a patient panel (lived experiences: diagnostic journeys, recovery, and life after diagnosis); and a clinician panel (referrals, testing, treatment delays, and barriers to care). Time is allotted for questions and answers after each presentation.

The symposium is for healthcare professionals and medical students. This event focuses on connection, knowledge, and empowerment. We encourage active audience participation and look forward to offering numerous exciting opportunities for engagement throughout the day!

In-person attendees: Breakfast, lunch, and drinks will be provided.

Virtual attendees: The virtual link will be sent closer to the event date.

Ticket sales close on Wednesday, October 7, end of day (11:59 pm CMT).

Agenda

🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:15 AM
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Host: Ahmed Obeidat, MD, PhD

Info: Overview of the autoimmune neuropsychiatry landscape

🕑: 09:15 AM - 09:40 AM
CHANT Syndrome
Host: Ahmed Obeidat, MD, PhD

Info: Cortical Hypometabolism Associated with Neurocognitive disorder and Thyroid antibodies

🕑: 09:40 AM - 10:05 AM
Antibody-negative Autoimmune Encephalitis
Host: Hesham Abboud, MD, PhD

Info: Diagnostic challenges when antibodies are absent

🕑: 10:05 AM - 10:30 AM
Antibody-Positive Autoimmune Encephalitis
Host: Eoin Flanagan, M.B., B.Ch.

Info: Neuropsychiatric presentations & treatment pathways

🕑: 10:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Break
🕑: 10:45 AM - 11:10 AM
MOG / NMO Spectrum
Host: Farrah Mateen, MD, PhD

Info: Encephalitis and FLAMES

🕑: 11:10 AM - 11:35 AM
Autoimmune Epilepsy
Host: Tyler Heinrich, DO
🕑: 11:35 AM - 12:00 AM
Multiple Sclerosis
Host: Sam Hooshmand, DO

Info: Neuropsychiatric complications & features at onset

🕑: 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM
Lunch
🕑: 12:45 PM - 01:10 PM
PANDAS / PANS
Host: TBD

Info: Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric syndromes across the lifespan

🕑: 01:10 PM - 01:35 PM
Down Syndrome Regression Disorder
Host: Jonathan Santoro, MD

Info: Emerging recognition & immunotherapy considerations

🕑: 01:35 PM - 02:00 PM
Sudden Neuropsychiatric changes in Autism
Host: Kevin W Hoffman, MD, PhD
🕑: 02:00 PM - 02:15 PM
Break
🕑: 02:15 PM - 03:05 PM
Patient Panel
Host: 4–5 patients across diagnoses + caregiver voice; patient

Info: Lived experiences: diagnostic journeys, recovery & life after diagnosis

🕑: 03:05 PM - 03:55 PM
Clinician Panel on Access
Host: Neurology, psychiatry, rheumatology, primary care + pati

Info: Referrals, testing, treatment delays & barriers to care

🕑: 03:55 PM - 04:00 PM
Closing Remarks
Host: Ahmed Obeidat, MD, PhD