Assisted Reproductive Technology and Neurological Conditions: What We Know and What We Need to Know*
Date: October 19, 2026
Time: 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Room: Coral 4
Track: Interactive Lunch Workshop (ILW)
Session Description
This interactive lunch workshop will explore the intersection of fertility, fertility treatments, and neurological conditions. Faculty will review current evidence on fertility in individuals with neurologic disorders and provide an overview of common fertility treatments, including intrauterine insemination (IUI), egg retrieval and fertility preservation, and in vitro fertilization (IVF). The session will also address clinical considerations for patients with neurologic diagnoses undergoing fertility treatment, with a focus on epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, migraine, and stroke. The goal is to equip clinicians with practical knowledge to support patients navigating fertility care.
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this session, attendees will be able to:
- Describe common fertility treatment modalities and the potential neurologic impact of associated hormone therapies.
- Develop management and medication monitoring strategies for patients with neurologic conditions undergoing fertility treatment.
- Identify condition-specific risks of fertility treatments in patients with neurologic disorders.
Speakers
- (Chair) Elizabeth Gerard, MD, FANA
- (Co-Chair) Heidi Munger Clary, MD, MPH, FACNS, FAES, FANA
- (Speaker) Aisha Abdulrazaq, MD
- (Speaker) Edith Graham, MD
- (Speaker) Ginette Moores, MD
Epilepsy and Assisted Reproductive Technologies
Description
The management of epilepsy in women requires careful consideration of the complex interplay between hormonal changes, antiseizure medications, reproductive health, and fertility. As increasing numbers of women with epilepsy pursue assisted reproductive technology (ART), clinicians must understand how hormonal fluctuations and fertility treatments may affect seizure control and epilepsy management, while recognizing important gaps in the available evidence.
This presentation will examine the relationship between reproductive hormones and epilepsy, with a particular focus on the emerging role of assisted reproductive technology in women with epilepsy. Participants will review the impact of hormonal fluctuations on seizure activity, explore potential interactions between fertility treatments and antiseizure medications, and discuss current evidence regarding the safety and outcomes of ART in women with epilepsy. The session will also highlight areas where further research is needed to guide clinical decision-making and improve patient care.
Attendees will leave with a greater understanding of the reproductive considerations involved in caring for women with epilepsy and practical insights for counseling patients, navigating fertility treatment, optimizing seizure management, and delivering evidence-based, patient-centered care.
Multiple Sclerosis and Assisted Reproductive Technologies
Description
Family planning is an important consideration for individuals living with multiple sclerosis (MS), and advances in disease-modifying therapies and assisted reproductive technologies (ART) have expanded reproductive options for many patients. As fertility care becomes increasingly integrated into neurological practice, clinicians must understand how reproductive treatments interact with disease activity and long-term MS management.
This presentation will review current evidence on fertility and assisted reproductive technologies in individuals with multiple sclerosis. Participants will examine data demonstrating that MS does not appear to reduce biological fecundability and that most disease-modifying therapies are not gonadotoxic. Topics will include reproductive outcomes associated with ART, the effects of high-estrogen states—including ovulation induction and pregnancy—on immune regulation and central nervous system inflammation, and the current evidence regarding relapse risk following fertility treatments. Practical guidance will also be provided on coordinating disease-modifying therapies with fertility treatment to optimize both reproductive and neurological outcomes.
Attendees will leave with a greater understanding of the intersection between multiple sclerosis and reproductive medicine and practical strategies for counseling patients, coordinating fertility care, and optimizing family planning while maintaining effective disease management.
Migraine, Stroke Risk and Assisted Reproductive Technologies
Description
As the use of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) continues to grow, neurologists are increasingly called upon to counsel patients with migraine and cerebrovascular disease who are considering fertility treatment. Understanding the neurological implications of hormonal therapies and fertility interventions is essential for balancing reproductive goals with individualized risk assessment and disease management.
This presentation will provide a practical overview of fertility, fertility therapies, and their relationship to migraine and stroke. Participants will review how common primary headache disorders and cerebrovascular disease may influence reproductive planning and fertility, while examining the neurological effects of hormonal therapies and assisted reproductive technologies. The presentation will review current evidence regarding headache exacerbation, thrombotic risk, ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, and patient-specific risk factors, highlighting areas where evidence remains limited or evolving. Practical guidance will also be provided to support evidence-based counseling and multidisciplinary management of patients undergoing fertility treatment.
Attendees will leave with a greater understanding of the intersection between reproductive medicine and neurological disease and practical strategies for assessing risk, counseling patients, and optimizing care for individuals with migraine or stroke who are pursuing assisted reproductive technologies.
