Registration is closed.
Join us for a two day virtual conference live via Zoom.
Based on feedback from CME evaluations, the 2025 conference will be more clinically focused than prior conferences while still highlighting research advances.
The Inflammatory Brain Disorders Conference features nationally and internationally renowned experts skilled in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches who will present a diverse range of emerging clinical and research challenges, insights, and advances in the field of inflammatory brain disorders. Presentations are carefully selected to familiarize attendees with rapidly developing research and to educate clinicians on the latest understanding of treatment options.
Both generalists as well as specialists in pediatric and adult medicine will find the conference valuable to their practices. The intended audience is pediatricians, family physicians, psychiatrists, rheumatologists, immunologists, neurologists, and infectious disease physicians. Though the conference is designed for physicians, all are welcome to attend.
Physician comments from our prior conferences can be found below. Greater than 90% of physicians in attendance rated the overall quality of the 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 conferences as 5/5.
No refunds will be granted for any reason. While this meeting is geared towards physicians and researchers; parents, patients, and community members are welcome to attend the virtual conference.
Sponsorship opportunities are available! Please email conference@neuroimmuneinstitute.org for details.
Thank you to our Stanford, UCSF and USYD collaborators and hosts/moderators, Dr. Jenny Frankovich, Dr. Larry Steinman, Dr. Sam Pleasure, and Dr. Russell Dale.
Stanford University
UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences
University of Sydney
Anna Conkey
Executive Director and Founder, Neuroimmune Institute and Neuroimmune Foundation
Sam Pleasure, MD, PhD
Professor, Department of Neurology, UCSF; Co-Director, Center for Encephalitis and Meningitis, UCSF
Lawrence Steinman, MD
Professor of Neurology and Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine
Russell Dale, MBChB, MRCP, PhD
Professor of Paediatric Neurology and Paediatric Neurology Research, University of Sydney
Confirmed 2025 Speakers
Carmine Maria Pariante, MD, FRCPsych, PhD
Professor of Biological Psychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London; Consultant Perinatal Psychiatrist at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Depression and Inflammation:
A New Hypothesis for a Classic View
Stefano Pallanti, MD, PhD
Professor of Psychiatry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine; Professor of Psychiatry, Imperial College; Professor of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; Medical and Scientific Director of the Institute of Neuroscience, Italy
New Target For rTMS in OCD:
Focus on Neuroinflammation
Andrew Miller, MD
William P. Timmie Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine; Vice Chair of Research, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences; Director, Behavioral Immunology Program, Emory University School of Medicine
Advancing an Inflammatory Subtype of Major Depression
Jonathan Santoro, MD
Associate Professor of Neurology and Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine of USC; Director, Neuroimmunology and Demyelinating Disorders Program, Director of Research, Neurologic Institute at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
Down Syndrome Regression Disorder: Mechanisms of Genetic Neuroinflammation
Janet Cunningham, MD, PhD
Professor at Department of Medical Sciences, Clinical Psychiatry, Uppsala University, Sweden; Consultant Psychiatrist, Uppsala University Hospital
CSF and Blood Markers for Underlying Immunological Conditions in Psychiatric Populations
Christopher Palmer, MD
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School; Founder and Director, Metabolic and Mental Health Program, Director, Department of Postgraduate and Continuing Education, McLean Hospital
The Ketogenic Diet:
An Anti-Inflammatory and Immune-Modulating Treatment for Neuropsychiatric Disorders
David Putrino, PhD
Professor of Rehabilitation and Human Performance, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; Director of Rehabilitation Innovation, Mount Sinai Health System
CoRE Insights: Clinical and Research Goals from a Center for Complex Chronic Illness
Lael Yonker, MD
Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School; Director, MGH Cystic Fibrosis Center; Principal Investigator, Pediatric COVID-19 Biorepository, Mucosal Immunology and Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General for Children
Diagnosing and Treating Long COVID in Children: Current Insights and Ongoing Challenges
Russell Dale, MBChB, MRCP, PhD
Professor of Paediatric Neurology and Paediatric Neurology Research; Head, Kids Neuroscience Centre, Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Academic Leader (Research), Specialty of Child and Adolescent Health; Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney
In Vitro and Ex Vivo Therapeutics to Explore Epigenetic and Immune Therapies for Pediatric Acute Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome
Herbert M. Lachman, MD
Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medicine, Genetics, and Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Genetics of PANS and Regression in ASD and other Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Yujuan Zhang, MD
Assistant Professor of Pediatric Rheumatology, Division of General Pediatrics, Tufts University School of Medicine
PANS Cases from the Perspective of a Pediatric Rheumatologist
Antonella Gagliano, MD, PhD
Full Professor of Child & Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Kore University of Enna, Italy
PANS and Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Neuroinflammation as a Common Denominator
John Whelan, MD, PhD
Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Rheumatology, UCLA
Sturm und Drang: Stories and Strategies from a Front-Line Field Hospital for PANDAS
Stanford Immune Behavioral Health Program – 2025 Clinical and Research Update
Clinical Pearls: Reflections on a Decade of Treating Rheumatological and Psychiatric Conditions
Jennifer Frankovich, MD, MS, presenting with Meiqian Ma, MD, and Melissa Silverman, MD
Jennifer Frankovich, MD, MS
Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, Rheumatology, Stanford University School of Medicine; Director, Stanford PANS Research Program
PANS Research Update
Meiqian Ma, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor, Pediatrics, Rheumatology, Stanford University School of Medicine
Learning Lessons in Treating Psychiatric Conditions Co-presenting with Enthesitis, Arthritis, & Inflammatory Back Pain
Melissa Silverman, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Child Development, Stanford University School of Medicine
Managing Psychiatric Symptoms while Treating Inflammatory Conditions
Jennifer Frankovich, MD, MS
Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, Rheumatology, Stanford University School of Medicine; Director, Stanford PANS Research Program
Learning Lessons in Using Rituximab in Autoimmune OCD (Acute and Subacute Presentations)
Use of Immunomodulation in PANS and Related Inflammatory Brain Disorders
Jennifer Frankovich, MD, MS, presenting with Meiqian Ma, MD, and Cynthia Wang, MD
Cynthia Wang, MD
Pediatric Neurologist, Assistant Professor, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center
Induction Immunomodulation
Meiqian Ma, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor, Pediatrics, Rheumatology, Stanford University School of Medicine
Traditional and Biological DMARDS
Jennifer Frankovich, MD, MS
Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, Rheumatology, Stanford University School of Medicine; Director, Stanford PANS Research Program
Combination Therapies
Learning and Outcome Objectives
- Learn how to accurately diagnose and effectively treat inflammatory brain conditions.
- Recognize that neuropsychiatric sequelae can result from infections, autoimmune, and inflammatory conditions.
- List several immune and inflammatory markers that can be present in patients with inflammatory brain disorders.
- Report the cognitive and psychiatric effects that can occur post-infection.
- Describe appropriate treatments for patients with inflammatory brain disorders.
Accreditation / Credit Designation Statement
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of Wisconsin Medical Society and Neuroimmune Institute. The Wisconsin Medical Society is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The Wisconsin Medical Society designates this live activity for a maximum of 12.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Accommodations
Neuroimmune Institute subscribes to the articles of Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Should you or anyone accompanying you require special assistance, please notify us by contacting conference@neuroimmuneinstitute.org or 904-599-8464. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.
Comments from Prior Inflammatory Brain Disorders Conferences
The Inflammatory Brain Disorders Conference 2023 was (again) the most educational and effective conference I have ever attended in my 43 years as a physician! International experts presented 16 lectures over the course of two days, delivering major gems every hour to facilitate the diagnosis and treatment of tough psychiatric and neurologic neuroinflammatory conditions. A cumulative tsunami paradigm shift for psychiatry is in the works; inflammatory brain disorders will be the rule, rather than the exception. My accolades to all the panel of experts who shared their latest research and efforts. Thank you!
Martin T. Jensen, MD
Adult, Adolescent, & Child Psychiatry, Laguna Niguel, CA
Wonderful conference! First time I attended this conference. Neuroinflammatory diseases are not a large part of my practice as a pediatric rheumatologist – at least I thought so before the conference. Given the expanding scope of diseases related to neuroinflammation, my preconceived notions have been challenged – in a good way! Each presentation was given by an obvious thought leader and the results presented were all cutting edge. Cannot wait until next year.
Daniel Lovell, MD, MPH
Pediatric Rheumatologist, Cincinnati, OH
Rigorous, wide-ranging, two-day conference by international faculty providing cutting edge genetic and clinical insights furthering the rapidly increasing knowledge about auto-immune mediated syndromes. Crisp presentations, excellent slides, and clinical movie clips combined with meticulous attention to the duration of the presentations. Information was presented on the autoimmune manifestations of Long Covid-19, PANS, PANDAS, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), psychoses, seizure disorders and tick-borne illnesses alongside presentations on the Gut Microbiome and porosity of the blood brain barrier. Commercial-free. Well worth the tuition. My first Inflammatory Brain Disorders Conference. Planning on next year.
John Esterhai, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon, Spring House, PA
When I go to a conference, I feel that I have gotten my money’s worth if at least 10% of what I learn is new. In this course, the new information was at least 60% and what I did know was expanded significantly. This has increased my understanding and sensitivity to the possibility of an immune disorder in patients I have seen over the years. There are several patients in my current practice who will be re-evaluated for the possibility of something I did not know to look for before.
Lee Solomon, MD
Psychiatry, Chattanooga, TN
This was a conference with fantastic collaborators and speakers. As a physician I felt that it was clinically oriented and cutting edge. It was incredibly useful to gain knowledge in a field like neuroimmunology where so little is known.
Anuja Vyas, MD, FACOG
Texas
This is the most comprehensive, well-organized, and current information on all topics I have encountered in such a long time. I plan to attend every conference moving forward. Thank you for such well-presented information. Armed with several screenshots of slides, I have already contacted several patients to complete a more thorough history for a more complete treatment plan. So grateful.
Maria Del Sol, MD
Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Florida
As a clinical psychiatrist, it is crucial that I understand the potential origins of psychiatric symptoms. This conference gave insight into infectious and immune mechanisms for Neuropsychiatric symptoms that I found truly valuable. The speakers were of top quality.
Matthew Bernstein, MD
Psychiatrist, Massachusetts
I was astounded by the amount of scientifically based data presented on encephalopathy, COVID and PANS/PANDAS at this conference. I thought all of the presenters at this conference did an excellent job explaining the pathophysiology involved in the various conditions that were highlighted in this conference.
Urszula Kotlow, MD
Pediatric Psychiatrist, CPAE Clinic, Banner Desert Medical Center, Arizona
I feel more confident as THE consultant on many of these cases due to expanded knowledge I have acquired via this resource. Excellent presentations with fantastic evidence-based information. I hope to be involved in more conferences. Thanks to all!
Sandra Lawrence, MD, FACR
Pediatric Rheumatology, Florida
The neuroimmune conference transformed my thinking about the relationship between infection, neurobiology and psychiatric disorders. I learned so much.
Melissa Aguirre, MD
Pediatrician, California
This conference had the highest scientific quality and rigor, and all the presenters and discussants were outstanding. The contribution of the foundation for children with neuroimmune disorders to society is incommensurable.
Rosa Aurora Chavez, MD, PhD, FABP
Washington, DC
2025 Registration and Payment – Virtual CME Event
- An optional add-on for recording access is available for $50 but can only be purchased at the time of event registration (no exceptions). CME credit is solely available to attendees of the live virtual event. (For instance, if you watch the recording, we are not authorized to provide CME credit).
- Registration includes access via one device only. You may switch devices during the event, but must sign out from one device before resuming viewing via another device.
- Your registrations links will arrive directly from Zoom one week, one day, and one hour before the conference.
- Recordings will be available for purchase for an additional fee but solely available with certain packages and solely available at the time of live registration.
- There are no refunds for any reason.
- Please note that if you purchase a registration in the two hours leading up to the event, we will do our best to get your Zoom links to you but cannot guarantee you’ll receive them in a timely fashion.
Registration is closed.
Join us!
CME Evaluation
CME evaluations must be submitted no later than May 20, 2025 in order to receive credit. Please note that your CME certificates will arrive in your email within couple hours of submission. Please be sure to check your spam if you do not see it. Please email us no later than May 25, 2025 if you have not received a copy of your CME certificate.
Sponsors
If you are interested in sponsoring an educational grant, please email us at conference@neuroimmuneinstitute.org.
