Dear ANA members:
Greetings! It’s hard to believe that the 2022 ANA Annual Meeting is only three weeks away! There is so much to look forward to: groundbreaking sessions covering a wide array of fascinating topics, networking and social events, and, of course, the fabulous location in downtown Chicago! Our first in-person meeting in two years is sure to be an unforgettable experience and I hope you plan to take full advantage of the robust program!
Registration for ANA2022 remains open! There’s still time to reserve your spot and join your colleagues and peers for four days of learning, sharing and making lasting connections with peers from around the world. I am pleased to share some of the meeting highlights below.
Opening Symposium and Reception: Brain Organoid Models of Neurological Disorders
ANA2022 kicks off with the Opening Reception followed by one of the meeting's most highly anticipated sessions! Gather with your colleagues for some much needed socializing and networking at the Opening Reception on Saturday, October 22 from 5–5:45 PM CDT.
Immediately following the reception is the Opening Symposium which explores brain organoids, a groundbreaking new tool in neuroscience research. These human-stem-cell-derived brain tissues grown in 3-D culture are yielding insight into a host of neurological diseases and neuroscience questions. You can learn more about this exciting program by reading the ANA Q&A with symposium chairs Jack Parent, MD, FANA, and Sally Temple, PhD. The Opening Symposium takes place Saturday, October 22 from 5:45 PM – 7:15 PM CDT.
Presidential Symposium: Neurologic Dark Matter: Exploring the Exposome that Drives Neurological Disorders
The Presidential Symposium has been generating a great deal of interest and excitement. Be sure to attend Neurologic Dark Matter: Exploring the Exposome that Drives Neurological Disorders on Sunday, October 23 at 1:15 PM CDT. The program, which is comprised of five speakers sharing their latest research and insights on this important topic, was featured in the USA Today Neurology supplement. Learn more about this buzz-worthy session by reading the ANA Q&A.
Peripheral Contributions to Neurologic Disorders: Adaptive Immunity and Metabolic Influences
I’m looking forward to the plenary session “Peripheral Contributions to Neurologic Disorders: Adaptive Immunity and Metabolic Influences” which takes place Tuesday, October 25 at 8:45 AM CDT. This session explores the recent discovery of peripheral contributions to the pathomechanisms of neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, along with its implications on therapy development and patient care. Read the ANA Q&A featuring the session chair, Sheng-Han Kuo, MD to learn more!
Derek Denny-Brown Young Neurological Scholar Symposium
You won't want to miss this year's Derek Denny-Brown symposium, which will feature presentations from the 2022 Derek Denny- Brown awardees, the Wolfe Neuropathy Research Prize, the Grass Foundation-ANA Award in Neuroscience recipients and the new Audrey S. Penn Lectureship awardee. Be sure to read the ANA Q&A with Symposium chair Michael D. Geschwind, MD, PhD, FANA for more details!
Poster Sessions
ANA2022 is proud to feature nearly 500 poster presentations! We are excited and humbled by the overwhelming response from the neurology and neuroscience community and look forward to learning about the cutting-edge science that will be presented throughout the meeting!
Special Interest Group Sessions
New this year and based on valuable feedback from our members, ANA2022 will feature both Traditional Special Interest Group (SIG) sessions as well as Cross-Cutting SIGs.
Our traditional SIGs will include presentations from multiple speakers exploring a variety of important topics, including: Cerebrovascular Disease, ANA-AHS Headache, MS and Autoimmune Neurology, Behavioral Neurology and Dementia, Epilepsy, Movement Disorders, Neuro-oncology, Neurocritical Care and Traumatic Brain Injury, Neuromuscular Disease, Sleep Disorders and Circadian Rhythms, Global Neurology, and Neuro-ophthalmology and Neurovestibular Disease. View the meeting program to learn more about each topic.
The Cross-Cutting SIGs have been developed to bring attendees together around six themes.
◦ Health Services and Health Equity Research
◦ Neurogenetics and Gene Therapy
◦ Neuroinflammation and Neuroinfection
◦ Neurorecovery and Neuroplasticity
◦ Neurodegeneration and Cell Death
◦ Neurodevelopment
Be sure to visit the ANA2022 meeting program to learn more about each theme.
Executive Session of Membership
I highly encourage all ANA members to attend the Executive Session of Membership which will be held Monday, October 24 from 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM CDT. We will cover a number of important topics including the bylaw amendments, new governing structure, ANA achievements in 2022 and the election of our new officers and directors.
ANA-AUPN Career Fair
The ANA-AUPN Career Fair takes place Sunday, October 23 from 6:30 - 8:30 PM CDT and is a great opportunity for residents, postdoc fellows, and graduate students to meet leaders of the nation's top academic neurology departments, neuroscience departments, and other companies. We have an excellent assortment of institutions participating so be sure to stop in to discuss their open positions and/or your career goals. Likewise, if your organization is interested in hosting a table, the deadline to register as an ANA-AUPN Career Fair participant is Friday, September 30.
Social and Networking Events
Let’s not forget socialization! One of the many benefits of returning to an in-person meeting is the opportunity to meet and reconnect with fellow members of our professional ecosystem. The fun begins at the Opening Reception on Saturday, October 22 from 5–5:45 PM CDT.
Early career meeting attendees will enjoy the Junior & Early Career Reception on Saturday, October 22, 7:30 PM - 9 PM CDT where they can join members of the Junior Membership Committee for a reception to discuss how to take advantage of the ANA, identify mentors and discuss career tracks in academic neurology and neuroscience.
Finally, I’m excited to be hosting the President’s Reception on Monday, October 24 from 7:30–10:30 PM CDT. I look forward to seeing you there for a delightful evening of networking and conversing with old and new acquaintances.
There is truly something for everyone at the 147th Annual Meeting of the ANA! If you haven’t yet registered you may do so here and be sure to renew your ANA membership prior to registration to receive the discounted member rate.
See you in October!
Frances E. Jensen, MD, FANA, FACP
President, American Neurological Association
Arthur Knight Asbury, MD Professor of Neurology
Chair of the Department of Neurology
Co-Director Penn Medicine Translational Neuroscience Center
Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania