Agenda

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Registration & Morning Coffee

08:00 - 09:00

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Session I: NMOSD and MOGAD Updates

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Eslam Shosha
Associate Professor, McMaster University, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Hamilton Health Science Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

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Nikolaos Grigoriadis
Professor of Neurology, Head of Neurology Department, AHEPA University Hospital & Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece

09:00 - 10:15

Chairs: E. Shousha (SA), N. Grigoriadis (GR)
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MOGAD: Update on Diagnosis and Treatment

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Smail Daoudi
President, Mouloud Mammeri University of Tizi-Ouzou, University of Tizi-Ouzou, Tizi-Ouzou, Algeria

09:00 - 09:20

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NMOSD: The Updated IPND 2025 Diagnostic Criteria

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Dean Wingerchuk
Head of Department of Neurology, Professor of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, United States of America

09:20 - 09:40

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MENACTRIMS Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of NMOSD

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Beatriz Garcia Canibano
Consultant Neurologist, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar

09:40 - 10:00

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Panel Discussion

10:00 - 10:15

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Welcome and Introduction

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Bassem I. Yamout
Professor of Neurology, Director Neurology Institute, American University of Beirut & Harley Street Medical Center, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

10:15 - 10:30

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Satellite Symposium hosted by Novartis

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Jihad Inshasi
Consultant Neurologist, Professor of Neurology, Rashid Hospital & Dubai Medical College, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

10:30 - 11:00

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New Insights into Kesimpta and Its Impact on MS Treatment

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Raed Alroughani
Consultant Neurologist, Director of MS Clinic, Amiri and Ibn Sina Hospitals, Kuwait City, Kuwait

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Heinz Wiendl
Professor of Neurology and Chair, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany

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Panel Discussion

10:50 - 11:00

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Coffee Break

11:00 - 11:15

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Session II: European Charcot Foundation: Updates in Progressive MS

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Raed Alroughani
Consultant Neurologist, Director of MS Clinic, Amiri and Ibn Sina Hospitals, Kuwait City, Kuwait

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Xavier Montalban
Chairman and Director Dept. of Neurology-Neuroimmunology, Multiple Sclerosis Center of Catalonia, Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain

11:15 - 12:30

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Update on Progressive MS Research

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Tim Coetzee
Chief Executive Officer, US National MS Society, Albany, New York, United States of America

11:15 - 11:35

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Diagnosing Progressive Disease in MS

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Xavier Montalban
Chairman and Director Dept. of Neurology-Neuroimmunology, Multiple Sclerosis Center of Catalonia, Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain

11:35 - 11:55

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Treatment of Progressive MS: Present and Future

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Hans-Peter Hartung
Professor and Honorary Professor, Heinrich Heine Universität & University of Sydney, Düsseldorf, Germany

11:55 - 12:15

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Panel Discussion

12:15 - 12:30

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Satellite Symposium hosted by Roche

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Bassem I. Yamout
Professor of Neurology, Director Neurology Institute, American University of Beirut & Harley Street Medical Center, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

12:30 - 13:00

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Start Strong, Stay Strong - More than a Decade of Transformation with Ocrevus

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Raed Alroughani
Consultant Neurologist, Director of MS Clinic, Amiri and Ibn Sina Hospitals, Kuwait City, Kuwait

12:30 - 12:40

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Ocrevus SC - Redefining MS Care presented by M. Maurer (DE)

12:40 - 12:50

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Panel Discussion

12:55 - 13:00

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Friday Prayer Break and Lunch

13:00 - 14:30

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Session III: MS Treatment

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Magd Zakaria
Professor of Neurology, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt

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Riadh Gouider
Consultant Neurologist, Head of Neurology Department, Razi Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia

14:30 - 15:45

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Upcoming Therapies in MS

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Patrick Vermersch
Vice President of Research in the fields of Life and Health Sciences, University of Lille, Lille, France

14:30 - 14:50

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MS in Elderlies: To Stop or Not to Stop DMT

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Samia Khoury
Director of Abu Haidar Neuroscience Institute and Nehme and Therese Tohme Multiple Sclerosis Center, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon

14:50 - 15:10

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Prognostic Factors Role in Choosing Therapy

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Ludwig Kappos
Professor of Neurology, CEO Research Center Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience Basel (RC2NB), University Hospital and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland

15:10 - 15:30

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Panel Discussion

15:30 - 15:45

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Satellite Symposium hosted by AstraZeneca: Complement Component 5 Inhibitor Therapies (C5ITs) in Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD): Clinical Insights and Real-World Evidence

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Bassem I. Yamout
Professor of Neurology, Director Neurology Institute, American University of Beirut & Harley Street Medical Center, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

15:45 - 16:15

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Role of Complement 5 Inhibitor Therapies (C5ITs) in Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD) presented by D. Wingerchuck (US)

15:45 - 15:57

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Ravulizumab in NMOSD :Clinical Insights and Real-World Evidence

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Alexey N. Boyko
Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University and Federal Center of Brain Research and Neurotechnologies, Director Institute of Clinical Neurology & Department of Neuroimmunology and Moscow MS Center, Moscow, Russia

15:57-16:07

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Panel Discussion

16:07-16:15

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Session IV: Oral Presentations

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Mohammed Al-Jummah
Professor and Consultant Neurologist, InterHealth Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

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Celia Oreja-Guevara
Consultant Neurologist, Professor of Neurology, Vice Chair of Neurology University Hospital San Carlos, University Complutense, Madrid, Spain

16:30 - 17:30

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OC1: Long-Term Cognitive Analysis in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis (MS): Is There a Difference Between Benign and Non-Benign MS? presented by S. Paybast (IR)

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OC2: Epidemiology, Clinical Characteristics, and Treatment Patterns in a Large Pediatric-Onset Multiple Sclerosis Cohort presented by G. Ismail (LB)

16:40-16:50

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OC3: The Use of Upper Cervical Spinal Cord Area as a Diagnostic Biomarker of Conversion Into Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis presented by S. Al Ghazal (US)

16:50-17:00

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OC4: Longitudinal AI-Based MS Lesion Segmentation Tool for Heterogeneous MRI Datasets presebted by O. Abdullah (AE)

17:00-17:10

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OC5: Added Value of Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Imaging With Fluid Attenuated Inversion Recovery (FLAIR) in Evaluation of Patients With Multiple Sclerosis presented by H. K. Hassoun (IR)

16:50-17:00

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OC6: Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) and Multiple Sclerosis: Investigating Genetic Susceptibility and Disease Severity in Saudi Population presented by E. Nassim Ali (SA)

17:20-17:30

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Congress Dinner

19:30 - 22:30

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Registration & Morning Coffee

08:30 - 09:00

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Session V: Neuroimaging in MS

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Alexey N. Boyko
Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University and Federal Center of Brain Research and Neurotechnologies, Director Institute of Clinical Neurology & Department of Neuroimmunology and Moscow MS Center, Moscow, Russia

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Saeed Bohlega
Consultant Neurologist, Professor of Neurology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

09:00 - 10:15

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Differential Diagnosis of MS: Neuroimaging Features

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Mohammad Ali Sahraian
Professor of Neurology, MS Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

09:00 - 09:20

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Imaging of Smouldering Disease in MS

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Bruno Stankoff
Professor of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Pierre and Marie Curie University, Hôpital Saint-Antoine & Hôpital de la Salpetrière, Sorbonne Universités, Paris, France

09:20 - 09:40

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The Evolving Role of MRI in the 2024 McDonald Criteria

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Seraj Makkawi
Associate Professor and Consultant Neurologist, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

09:40 - 10:00

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Panel Discussion

10:00 - 10:15

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Coffee Break

10:15-10:30

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Satellite Symposium hosted by Merck

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Jihad Inshasi
Consultant Neurologist, Professor of Neurology, Rashid Hospital & Dubai Medical College, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

10:30 - 11:00

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Optimizing Treatment Pathways: Insights from Mavenclad Clinical and Real-World Data

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Jiwon Oh
Consultant Neurologist, Professor of Neurology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

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Raed Alroughani
Consultant Neurologist, Director of MS Clinic, Amiri and Ibn Sina Hospitals, Kuwait City, Kuwait

10:30 - 11:00

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Session VI: Immunopathogenesis of MS

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Jihad Inshasi
Consultant Neurologist, Professor of Neurology, Rashid Hospital & Dubai Medical College, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

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Aksel Siva
Emeritus Professor of Neurology, Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey

11:00 - 12:15

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EBV and MS: Recent Updates

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Oivind Fredvik Grytten Torkildsen
Professor of Neurology, Head of Section for Neurology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway

11:00 - 11:20

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Immunology of MS: Peripheral vs Central Chronic Inflammation

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Heinz Wiendl
Professor of Neurology and Chair, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany

11:20 - 11:40

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Genetic and Environmental Factors in MS

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Jaber Al Khaboori
Senior Consultant Neurologist, Khoula Hospital, Muscat, Oman

11:40 - 12:00

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Panel Discussion

12:00 - 12:15

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Satellite Symposium hosted by Sanofi

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Bassem I. Yamout
Professor of Neurology, Director Neurology Institute, American University of Beirut & Harley Street Medical Center, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

12:15 - 12:45

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Welcome and Introduction

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Bassem I. Yamout
Professor of Neurology, Director Neurology Institute, American University of Beirut & Harley Street Medical Center, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

12:15 - 12:20

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The HERCULES Trial: Efficacy and Safety Outcomes

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Jiwon Oh
Consultant Neurologist, Professor of Neurology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

12:20 - 12:30

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Translating Data to Clinical Practice

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Patrick Vermersch
Vice President of Research in the fields of Life and Health Sciences, University of Lille, Lille, France

12:30 - 12:40

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Panel Discussion

12:40 - 12:45

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Lunch Break

12:45 - 14:00

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Session VII: Special Populations in MS

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Maurice Dahdaleh
Consultant Neurologist, Khalidi Hospital and Medical Center, Amman, Jordan

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Ahmed Shatila
Consultant Neurologist, Mafraq Hospital, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

14:00 - 15:15

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Pediatric MS: The MENA experience

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Samar Farouk Ahmed
Consultant Neurologist, Ibn Sina Hospital, Kuwait City, Kuwait

14:00 - 14:20

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DMTs During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

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Kerstin Hellwig
Consultant Neurologist, MS Specialist, St. Josef Hospital & Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany

14:20-14:40

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RIS: When to Treat With the New Diagnostic Criteria

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Christine Lebrun-Frenay
Neurologist, University of Nice, Nice, France

14:40 - 15:00

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Panel Discussion

15:00 - 15:15

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Satellite Symposium hosted by Biogen

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Raed Alroughani
Consultant Neurologist, Director of MS Clinic, Amiri and Ibn Sina Hospitals, Kuwait City, Kuwait

15:15 - 15:45

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New Heights of Efficacy and Flexibility with Tysabri SC

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Patrick Vermersch
Vice President of Research in the fields of Life and Health Sciences, University of Lille, Lille, France

15:15 - 15:45

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Coffee Break

15:45 - 16:00

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Session VIII: Hot Topics in MS

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Jiwon Oh
Consultant Neurologist, Professor of Neurology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

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Sarmad AlMashtah
Consultant Neurologist, Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq

16:00 - 17:15

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Biomarkers in MS: How to Use Them?

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Marcello Moccia
Associate Professor, University of Naples, Naples, Italy

16:00 - 16:20

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How to Setup AI for MRI Interpretation at your Center

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Ahmad Abulaban
Consultant Neurologist, National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

16:20 - 16:40

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Remyelination in Multiple Sclerosis: Present and Future Perspectives

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Sandra Ahmed
Professor of Neurology, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt

16:40 - 17:00

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Panel Discussion

17:00 - 17:15

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Closing Ceremony and Awards Presentation

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Bassem I. Yamout
Professor of Neurology, Director Neurology Institute, American University of Beirut & Harley Street Medical Center, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

17:15 - 17:30

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Nursing Session I

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Joelle Massouh
Clinical Manager of Neurology Institute and Multiple Sclerosis Center, Harley Street Medical Centre, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

09:00 - 10:45

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The Evolving Role of the MS Nurse: Global Perspectives

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Kathleen Costello
Registered Nurse and Board Certified Adult Nurse Practitioner (CRNP), Consortium of MS Centers and International Organization of MS Nurses, Castle Hayne, North Carolina, United States of America

09:00 - 09:30

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Optimizing Symptom Management in MS: Practical Strategies for Nurses

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Piet Eelen
Clinical Nurse Specialist Multiple Sclerosis, National Multiple Sclerosis Center (NMSC), Melsbroek, Belgium

09:30 - 10:00

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Empowering Neuroimmunology Care in MENA: Voices from the Frontline

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Kathleen Costello
Registered Nurse and Board Certified Adult Nurse Practitioner (CRNP), Consortium of MS Centers and International Organization of MS Nurses, Castle Hayne, North Carolina, United States of America

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Sumaira Ahmed
Patient Advocacy Leader, The Sumaira Foundation, Boston, United States of America

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Maya Zeineddine
PhD, Clinical Associate Professor, MS Certified Specialist, Executive Secretary MENACTRIMS, Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon

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Joelle Massouh
Clinical Manager of Neurology Institute and Multiple Sclerosis Center, Harley Street Medical Centre, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

10:00 - 10:45

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Coffee Break

10:45 - 11:00

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Nursing Session II

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Maya Zeineddine
PhD, Clinical Associate Professor, MS Certified Specialist, Executive Secretary MENACTRIMS, Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon

11:00 - 12:45

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MS Nurses as Brain Health Champions

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Joelle Massouh
Clinical Manager of Neurology Institute and Multiple Sclerosis Center, Harley Street Medical Centre, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

11:00 - 11:20

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New and Emerging Therapies in MS

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Samar Farouk Ahmed
Consultant Neurologist, Ibn Sina Hospital, Kuwait City, Kuwait

11:20 - 11:50

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Management of Risks Associated with High-efficacy Therapies

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Piet Eelen
Clinical Nurse Specialist Multiple Sclerosis, National Multiple Sclerosis Center (NMSC), Melsbroek, Belgium

11:50 - 12:15

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MS Research Essentials

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Maya Zeineddine
PhD, Clinical Associate Professor, MS Certified Specialist, Executive Secretary MENACTRIMS, Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon

12:15 - 12:45

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Lunch Break

12:45 - 14:00

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Nursing Industry Talk I hosted by Roche

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Joelle Massouh
Clinical Manager of Neurology Institute and Multiple Sclerosis Center, Harley Street Medical Centre, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

14:00 - 14:30

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From IV to SC: Transition Guidance and Operational Considerations for Nursing Teams presented by S. Kocak (DE)

14:00 - 14:10

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Hands-On Demonstration presented by S. Kocak (DE)

14:10 - 14:15

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Managing Patient Expectations presented by S. Kocak (DE)

14:15 - 14:20

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Real-World Experience and Clinical Practice presented by S. Kocak (DE)

14:20 - 14:25

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Panel Discussion

14:25 - 14:30

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Nursing Industry Talk II hosted by Merck

14:30 - 15:00

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Optimizing Patient Care with IRT: Practical Insights for MS Nursing presented by G. Lee (AE)

14:30 - 15:00

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Nursing Industry Talk III hosted by Novartis

15:00 - 15:30

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Navigating MS Treatments: How Nurses Enhance Patient Confidence & Self-Management presented by G. Lee (AE)

15:00 - 15:30

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Nursing Industry Talk IV hosted by AstraZeneca

15:30 - 16:00

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Championing Patient Care in NMOSD

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Joelle Massouh
Clinical Manager of Neurology Institute and Multiple Sclerosis Center, Harley Street Medical Centre, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

15:30 - 16:00

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Nursing Industry Talk V hosted by Sanofi

16:00 - 16:30

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Evolving Concept of Smoldering Neuroinflammation and its Role in Disability Accumulation presented by R. Alsuwaidi (AE)

16:00 - 16:10

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Role of Nurse: Bridging Between Treating Physician & Patient presented by G. Lee (AE)

16:10 - 16:20

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Proactive Management for Patients with nrSPMS

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Joelle Massouh
Clinical Manager of Neurology Institute and Multiple Sclerosis Center, Harley Street Medical Centre, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

16:20 - 16:30

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Nursing Industry Talk VI hosted by Biogen

16:30 - 17:00

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Measuring Novel Efficacy Endpoints and Convenience with Tysabri SC presented by R. Alsuwaidi (SA)

16:30 - 17:00