Science Unplugged: The Best of the Best from the ANA Investigates Podcast Episodes*
Date: October 18, 2026
Time: 11:45 am to 12:45 pm
Room: Coral 2
Track: Interactive Lunch Workshop (ILW)
Session Description
This session will highlight select high-impact episodes from the ANA Investigates podcast series, featuring leading researchers and innovators whose work has generated significant interest. Speakers—original podcast contributors—will revisit key topics, reflect on their significance, and provide updates on the latest scientific developments.
The session will also introduce the ANA Education Innovation Subcommittee and highlight opportunities for engagement with ANA educational initiatives.
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this session, attendees will be able to:
- Describe emerging autoantibodies associated with small fiber neuropathy and current approaches to treatment.
- Evaluate the potential benefits and limitations of a biological definition of Parkinson disease.
- Discuss the clinical significance of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter after stroke and implications for practice.
Speakers
- (Chair) Sarah Nelson, MD, MPH
- (Co-Chair) Mark S. Wainwright, MD, PhD, FANA
- (Speaker) Ifrah Zawar, MD, MS-CR
- (Speaker) Masoom Desai, MD, FACNS, FANA
- (Speaker) Eric Wong, MD, MA, FAAN, FANA
ANA Investigates NORSE and FIRES
Description
New-onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE) and febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome (FIRES) are rare but devastating neurological emergencies associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Despite advances in critical care, the underlying mechanisms and optimal treatment strategies continue to evolve, with growing evidence supporting the role of neuroinflammation in disease pathogenesis.
This presentation will provide an overview of NORSE and FIRES, highlighting current understanding of their clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, and underlying neuroinflammatory mechanisms. Participants will review emerging immunotherapeutic approaches, examine recent advances in the management of these challenging conditions, and explore findings from the COMBAT-NORSE trial and their implications for clinical practice. Topics will also include ongoing research efforts aimed at improving outcomes and identifying targeted therapies for patients with these severe epileptic disorders.
Attendees will leave with an enhanced understanding of the evolving science behind NORSE and FIRES, practical insights into evidence-based diagnostic and treatment strategies, and an appreciation of how emerging clinical trial data may shape the future of care for these complex neurological emergencies.
From Bedside Data to Clinical Decisions: AI in Neurology and Neurocritical Care
Description
Artificial Intelligence has the transformative potential to significantly enhance neurological care, spanning from efficient triage and precise imaging interpretation to accurate electroencephalography analysis. Its ability to rapidly diagnose, detect conditions, and support clinical decision-making positions AI as an indispensable tool in neurology. A growing body of literature underscores AI’s vital role in monitoring neurological deterioration and predicting both short-term and long-term patient outcomes. Despite these advancements, integrating AI into clinical practice presents important challenges, including implementation, ethical considerations, and clinical validation.
This workshop will present a framework for assessing the clinical relevance, trustworthiness, and generalizability of AI tools, emphasizing their capacity to augment bedside decision-making and ultimately improve patient outcomes in inpatient neurology.
Attendees will learn how to identify practical applications of AI in inpatient neurology, how to apply a framework for evaluating AI tools before clinical adoption, and how to consider AI may improve short- and long-term neurological outcomes.
Tumor Treating Fields for Cancer in the Past 2 Decades
Description
Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) therapy is an established treatment modality for glioblastoma and has expanded the therapeutic landscape for patients with malignant tumors. By delivering alternating electric fields to the tumor, TTFields disrupt key processes involved in cell division and may promote immunogenic cell death. The approach has also been investigated and applied in other solid malignancies, highlighting the broader potential of therapeutic electrical fields in cancer treatment.
This presentation will examine the biological mechanisms underlying TTFields and the clinical evidence supporting their use in glioblastoma and other malignancies. Participants will review how alternating electric fields affect dividing tumor cells, including their effects on mitosis and cellular stress, and explore the rationale for using TTFields as a cancer treatment. The session will also discuss clinical trial data supporting TTFields in glioblastoma and selected extracranial malignancies, as well as practical considerations related to the clinical application of this treatment modality.
Attendees will leave with a greater understanding of the cellular and molecular effects of TTFields on tumor cells and the clinical evidence supporting their use in cancer care. The session will provide practical insights into the application of therapeutic electrical fields and their emerging role in the treatment of glioblastoma and other solid tumors.
