Time to connect – MS Canada invites you to their upcoming MS research conference

Every year, thousands of people gather at MS Canada’s MS Connect conference to learn about the progress being made in MS research and what’s on the horizon.

This year’s MS Connect Conference, a six-day online event, will highlight the latest MS research updates and provide the community with the greatly missed opportunities to personally connect with each other.

Registration is free and open to individuals from around the world!  Let’s connect from November 23 – 28, 2020.

Register here. 

Conference Agenda

Dr Jack Antel

Dr Michelle Ploughman

Dr Wee Yong

Dr Anthony Feinstein

 Monday, November 23 – Dr. Jack Antel | Building on progress in MS research – a multi-discipline effort

• Jack Antel MD, FRCPC – Professor, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University and Neuroimmunology / MS Program, Montreal Neurological Institute

Session will investigate:

• Who gets MS? – Factors, such as genetics or one’s environment, that determine susceptibility to MS and its disease course
• How can we monitor the course of MS? – use of brain imaging and “bio-markers”
• How to treat MS? – how to select immune-system directed therapies that maximize benefit and minimize risk; interventions that enhance function while living with MS.
• What biologic mechanisms underlie MS progression? – can we protect the brain from ongoing injury and promote repair?

Tuesday, November 24 – Dr. Michelle Ploughman and Dr. Wee Yong | Promoting neuroplasticity and restoration of function in multiple sclerosis

• Michelle Ploughman is a physiotherapist, neuroscientist and Canada Research Chair who designs innovative exercise-based treatments to help repair and protect the brain
• Wee Yong is a Professor and neuroscientist at the University of Calgary who co-leads the multiple sclerosis (MS) NeuroTeam at the university and directs the provincial Alberta MS Network

Session will:

• Recognize lessons learned from stroke rehabilitation that can be applied in MS
• Present novel methods to increase rehabilitation intensity without excessive fatigue
• Discuss interventions that promote neuroplasticity and restore function in MS

Wednesday, November 25 – Dr. Anthony Feinstein | Cognitive dysfunction in people with MS

• Anthony Feinstein PhD, FRCPC – Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto and Associate Scientist, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Session will aim to:

• To appreciate the prevalence and range of cognitive difficulties experienced by MS patients.
• To understand the real-world implications of cognitive dysfunction
• To understand how computerized testing can make valid cognitive assessments more widely available.
• To appreciate the significance of cognitive reserve in determining current cognitive function.
• To appreciate treatment options available for cognitive dysfunction.

Dr. Catherine Larochelle

Dr. Marcia Finlayson

Thursday, November 26 – Dr. Catherine Larochelle | Menu, metabolism and microbiome in MS: news and research advances

• Catherine Larochelle MD, PhD, FRCPC – Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Neurosciences, Université de Montréal and Research Centre, Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montreal (CRCHUM)

Session will:

• Review recent data on the impact of diet, the microbiome and metabolism on immune cells in MS.
• Discuss Vitamin D in relation to the microbiome.

Friday, November 27 – Dr. Marcia Finlayson | MS fatigue management: state of the science

• Marcia Finlayson – Vice Dean (Health Sciences), Professor and Director of the School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen’s University

Session will investigate:

• What is fatigue in MS?  What we know and still need to know
• Fatigue management: Evidence and approaches based on what we currently know
• New directions for fatigue management research