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
🕑: 10:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Break
🕑: 10:45 AM - 11:10 AM
MOG / NMO Spectrum
Host: Stephanie Syc-Mazurek, MD
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: Patrick Whelan MD PhD
Info: Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric syndromes across the lifespan
🕑: 01:10 PM - 01:35 PM
Down Syndrome Regression Disorder
Host: TBD
🕑: 01:35 PM - 02:00 PM
Sudden Neuropsychiatric changes in Autism
Host: TBD
🕑: 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
Event venue & nearby stays
Medical College of Wisconsin - Center for Cancer Discovery, 8701 West Watertown Plank Road, Wauwatosa, United States
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.