2010 annual meeting press kit
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MCD: 2010 Annual Meeting Press Kit folder_Generic versionUSAGE: Distributed by MCT Department with Press Releases containedSPECS: 9” x 11.875” Folder: Multiple folds (see dieline): Full bleed (+.125”): 4C
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1080 Montreal AvenueSt. Paul, MN 55116
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62nd AAN Annual Meet ingA p r i l 1 0 — A p r i l 1 7, 2 0 1 0
2010 Annual MeetingPress Kit
S c i e n c e · E d u c a t i o n · P e o p l e · P r o g r e s s
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PRESS CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
Media Contacts: Rachel Seroka, [email protected], (651) 695-2738
Angela Babb, [email protected], (651) 695-2789
AAN Annual Meeting Press Conference Schedule
11:00 a.m. ET, Monday, April 12, 2010 Press Release Title: AAN Issues Guideline on When People with Alzheimer’s Disease Should Stop Driving Title of Guideline: Practice Parameter - Evaluation and Management of Driving Risk in Dementia (an evidence-based review) Press Conference Room: 803B of Metro Toronto Convention Centre Presenter: Don Iverson, MD, lead author of AAN guideline EMBARGO: 4:00 p.m. ET, Monday, April 12, 2010; publication date of Neurology®, medical journal of AAN 2:00 p.m. ET, Monday, April 12, 2010 Press Release Title: Smoking May Counteract Benefit of Moderate Drinking on Stroke Risk Late-Breaking Abstract Title: P01.297 Alcohol Consumption, Smoking, and Risk of Stroke in Men and Women: the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer-Norfolk Population Study Press Conference Room: 803B of Metro Toronto Convention Centre Presenter: Yangmei Li, MD EMBARGO: 7:30 a.m. ET, Tuesday, April 13, 2010; date and time of presentation in Room 808 Press Release Title: New Treatment May Help Control Involuntary Crying and Laughing in MS, ALS Patients Late-Breaking Abstract Title: P02.296 Persistent Efficacy of Dextromethorphan (DM)/Quinidine (Q) for Pseudobulbar Affect (PBA): Results from a 12-Week, Open-Label Extension (OLE) Study Press Conference Room: 803B of Metro Toronto Convention Centre Presenter: Erik Pioro, MD EMBARGO: 3:00 p.m. ET, Tuesday, April 13, 2010; date and time of presentation in Room 808 11:00 a.m. ET, Tuesday, April 13, 2010 Press Release Title: Study: Guillain-Barré Syndrome Cases Low After 2009 H1N1 Vaccine Late-Breaking Abstract Title: P02.293 Guillain-Barre Syndrome after H1N1Vaccination in the United States: A Report from the CDC/FDA Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System Press Conference Room: 803B of Metro Toronto Convention Centre Presenter: Nizar Souayah, MD EMBARGO: 3:00 p.m. ET, Tuesday, April 13, 2010; date and time of presentation in Room 808 Press Release Title: New Gene Linked to Alzheimer’s Disease Late-Breaking Abstract Title: P03.296 Dementia Revealed: Novel Chromosome 6 Locus for Late-Onset Alzheimer Disease Provides Genetic Evidence for Folate-Pathway Abnormalities Press Conference Room: 803B of Metro Toronto Convention Centre Presenter: Margaret Pericak-Vance, PhD EMBARGO: 7:30 a.m. ET, Wednesday, April 14, 2010; date and time of presentation in Room 808 EDITOR’S NOTE: If you are a member of the media interested in listening to the press conference via an audio conference call, please contact Rachel Seroka, [email protected], (651) 695-2738 or contact the AAN Press Room (April 11– 15) at (416) 585-3793, to receive call-in information.
PRESS RELEASE
EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE UNTIL 7:30 A.M. ET, TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 2010
Media Contacts: Rachel Seroka, [email protected], (651) 695-2738
Angela Babb, [email protected], (651) 695-2789 AAN Press Room (April 11–15): (416) 585-3793
Smoking May Counteract Benefit of Moderate Drinking on Stroke Risk
TORONTO – New research finds any beneficial effect of drinking moderate amounts of alcohol on stroke may be counteracted by cigarette smoking, according to research that will be presented as part of the late-breaking science program at the American Academy of Neurology’s 62nd Annual Meeting in Toronto, April 10 – 17, 2010. Scientists followed the drinking and smoking habits of 22,524 people in the United Kingdom who were between the ages of 39 and 79 and did not have a history of heart attack or stroke at the start of the study. During the 12-year study, 864 strokes occurred. The study found that the association between alcohol drinking and stroke was significantly different between smokers and non-smokers. In non-smokers, people who consumed moderate amounts of alcohol were 37 percent less likely to develop stroke than non-drinkers, while in smokers this association was not observed. This finding suggests that smoking may modify the relationship between alcohol intake and stroke risk. Moderate drinking was defined as consuming up to 21 units of alcohol per week, which is equal to about two to three regular glasses of red wine a day. “Our findings could have public health implications in that we appear to have a clearer understanding of the dangers of combining smoking and moderate drinking on overall stroke risk,” according to Yangmei Li, MPhil, with the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. “While heavy alcohol consumption is considered to increase the risk of stroke, the relationship between light to moderate drinking and stroke has varied considerably among studies,” said Li. “It’s possibly these conflicting results could be explained by the interaction between cigarette smoking and alcohol on stroke risk.” This reinforces the evidence that smoking not only increases stroke risk on its own but may additionally affect adversely how other lifestyle factors may relate to stroke risk. The study was supported by the Medical Research Council in the United Kingdom and Cancer Research UK. The American Academy of Neurology’s Annual Meeting is the world’s largest gathering of neurologists with more than 2,300 scientific research presentations on brain disorders. The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 22,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), multiple sclerosis, stroke and migraine. For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit http://www.aan.com.
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Editor’s Note: Dr. Li will be available for media questions during a press conference at 2:00 p.m. ET, on Monday, April 12, 2010, in Room 803B of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto. Please contact Rachel Seroka, [email protected], to receive conference call information for those reporters covering the press conference off-site. Dr. Li is also available for advance interviews as well. Please contact Rachel Seroka, [email protected], to schedule an advance interview. Dr. Li is scheduled to present this late-breaking abstract, P01.297, at 7:30 a.m., ET, on Tuesday, April 13, 2010, in Room 808 of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto. To view non-late-breaking abstracts to be presented at the 2010 AAN Annual Meeting, visit http://www.aan.com/go/am10/science. Late-breaking abstracts will not be posted online in advance of the meeting and are embargoed until the date and time of presentation at the AAN Annual Meeting in Toronto or unless otherwise noted by the Academy’s Media and Public Relations Department. VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/AANChannel TEXT: http://www.aan.com/press TWEETS: http://www.twitter.com/AANPublic
PRESS RELEASE
EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE UNTIL 3 P.M. ET, TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 2010
Media Contacts: Rachel Seroka, [email protected], (651) 695-2738
Angela Babb, [email protected], (651) 695-2789 AAN Press Room (April 11–15): (416) 585-3793
New Treatment Helps Control Involuntary Crying and Laughing – Common in MS, ALS Patients
TORONTO – Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) is a neurologic condition of involuntary, sudden and frequent episodes of laughing or crying and is quite common in patients with underlying neurologic diseases or injuries, especially those with multiple sclerosis (MS) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Now, a new investigational treatment may help stop these involuntary outbursts. The research will be presented as part of the late-breaking science program at the American Academy of Neurology’s 62nd Annual Meeting in Toronto, April 10 – 17, 2010. “These outbursts of crying and laughter at inappropriate times can have a severe impact on patient and caregiver well-being, social functioning and quality of life,” said study author Erik P. Pioro, MD, PhD, FRCPC, Director of the Section for ALS and Related Disorders at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio, and a member of the American Academy of Neurology. The study in patients diagnosed with PBA tested the effectiveness of a combination of two medications, dextromethorphan and low dose quinidine. The combination of the drugs is known as DMQ. After completing the blinded, placebo controlled phase of the study, participants could take part in a subsequent open label study where all of the participants would receive the DMQ drug combination for an additional 12 weeks. Of the 283 people completing the first phase, 253, or 89 percent, chose to take part in this subsequent open label study. Participants were given daily doses of DMQ and were regularly given a test that measures the frequency and severity of their PBA. The study found that the average test score was significantly improved by 2.7 points from the start to the end of the open label study. Patients who were taking a placebo in the previous clinical trial and switched to DMQ demonstrated the most improvement. “Our findings represent the first long-term results showing DMQ is effective in helping to control this debilitating condition afflicting patients with neurologic diseases or injuries,” said Pioro. “Currently, there are no FDA approved treatments for PBA, which is problematic because currently used off-label treatments are often ineffective or may have unacceptable side-effects.” Pioro says these findings, along with additional clinical data, will serve as the basis for an application for FDA approval of DMQ as the first treatment for pseudobulbar affect. The study was supported by Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc. The American Academy of Neurology’s Annual Meeting is the world’s largest gathering of neurologists with more than 2,300 scientific research presentations on brain disorders.
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The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 22,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), multiple sclerosis, stroke and migraine. For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit http://www.aan.com. Editor’s Note: Dr. Pioro will be available for media questions during a press conference at 2:00 p.m. ET, on Tuesday, April 13, 2010, in Room 803B of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto. Please contact Rachel Seroka, [email protected], to receive conference call information for those reporters covering the press conference off-site. Dr. Pioro is also available for advance interviews as well. Please contact Rachel Seroka, [email protected], to schedule an advance interview. Dr. Pioro is scheduled to present his late-breaking abstract, P02.296, at 3:00 p.m., ET, on Tuesday, April 13, 2010, in Room 808 of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto. To view non-late-breaking abstracts to be presented at the 2010 AAN Annual Meeting, visit http://www.aan.com/go/am10/science. Late-breaking abstracts will not be posted online in advance of the meeting and are embargoed until the date and time of presentation at the AAN Annual Meeting in Toronto or unless otherwise noted by the Academy’s Media and Public Relations Department. VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/AANChannel TEXT: http://www.aan.com/press TWEETS: http://www.twitter.com/AANPublic
PRESS RELEASE
EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE UNTIL 3 PM, ET, TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 2010
Media Contacts: Rachel Seroka, [email protected], (651) 695-2738
Angela Babb, [email protected], (651) 695-2789 AAN Press Room (April 11–15): (416) 585-3793
Study: Guillain-Barré Syndrome Cases Low After 2009 H1N1 Vaccine
TORONTO – A new study finds that reports of a neurologic disease called Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) have been low after 2009 H1N1 vaccination, according to a research study that will be presented as part of the late-breaking science program at the American Academy of Neurology’s 62nd Annual Meeting in Toronto, April 10 – 17, 2010. The study is one of the first national reports of the occurrence of GBS after 2009 H1N1 vaccination. GBS is a rare disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks part of the peripheral nervous system, causing tingling and weakness of the arms and legs. While it is not fully known what causes GBS, it is known that about two-thirds of people who get GBS do so several days or weeks after they have been sick with diarrhea or a respiratory illness. Except for the swine flu vaccine used in 1976, no other influenza vaccines have been clearly linked to GBS. It was not anticipated that the 2009 H1N1 vaccine would be associated with an increased risk of GBS. Scientists analyzed information obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and US Food and Drug Administration Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) and found that there were 35 reports of GBS following 2009 H1N1 vaccination around the country by the end of the year 2009. This amounts to 3.5 reports of GBS per 10 million people vaccinated. All cases of GBS except one were reported within six weeks of vaccination, with 23 cases reported within the first two weeks after vaccine administration. One report of death and one of disability were reported in the 33 patients who were hospitalized. The number of GBS cases reported by the same researcher was only slightly higher after seasonal flu vaccination in 2009: 57 reports of GBS were received by VAERS , an estimated rate of 7.3 reports of GBS per 10 million vaccinations. The rate of GBS in the general population is estimated to be between one to four cases per 100,000 persons per year. “Although preliminary, these reported cases of GBS do not appear to show an increased risk of GBS following vaccination with either the 2009 H1N1 or the seasonal flu strain and the safety record for these vaccines is excellent,” said study author Nizar Souayah, MD, with New Jersey Medical School in Newark. “CDC, FDA and neurologists around the world are continuing to closely monitor people after vaccination for this disease.” Since VAERS receives voluntary reports of adverse events from manufacturers, providers, vaccines, and caregivers, cases of illness may be either over or underreported, and calculation of actual rates is not possible. VAERS cannot determine cause-and-effect, and an adverse event report only indicates that the event occurred sometime after vaccination. The American Academy of Neurology, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reached out to neurologists in the fall of 2009, requesting that they report to VAERS any possible new cases of GBS following receipt of vaccination. The American Academy of Neurology’s Annual Meeting is the world’s largest gathering of neurologists with more than 2,300 scientific research presentations on brain disorders.
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The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 22,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), multiple sclerosis, stroke and migraine. For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit http://www.aan.com. Editor’s Note: Dr. Souayah will be available for media questions during a press conference at 11:00 a.m. ET, on Tuesday, April 13, 2010, in Room 803B of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto. Please contact Rachel Seroka, [email protected], to receive conference call information for those reporters covering the press conference off-site. Dr. Souayah is also available for advance interviews as well. Please contact Rachel Seroka, [email protected], to schedule an advance interview.
Dr. Souayah is scheduled to present this late-breaking abstract, P02.293, at 3:00 p.m., ET, on Tuesday, April 13, 2010, in Room 808 of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto. To view non-late-breaking abstracts to be presented at the 2010 AAN Annual Meeting, visit http://www.aan.com/go/am10/science. Late-breaking abstracts will not be posted online in advance of the meeting and are embargoed until the date and time of presentation at the AAN Annual Meeting in Toronto or unless otherwise noted by the Academy’s Media and Public Relations Department. VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/AANChannel TEXT: http://www.aan.com/press TWEETS: http://www.twitter.com/AANPublic
PRESS RELEASE
EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE UNTIL 7:30 A.M. ET, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 2010
Media Contacts: Rachel Seroka, [email protected], (651) 695-2738
Angela Babb, [email protected], (651) 695-2789 AAN Press Room (April 11–15): (416) 585-3793
New Gene Associated with Increased Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease
TORONTO – Researchers have identified a gene that appears to increase a person’s risk of developing late-onset Alzheimer’s disease, the most common type of Alzheimer’s disease. The research will be presented as part of the late-breaking science program at the American Academy of Neurology’s 62nd Annual Meeting in Toronto, April 10 – 17, 2010. The gene, abbreviated MTHFD1L, is located on chromosome six. “Only recently have common variants in genes other than APOE been convincingly shown to be associated with a person’s risk of developing late-onset Alzheimer’s disease,” said senior author Margaret Pericak-Vance, PhD, the principal investigator of the study and Director of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine’s John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics in Miami, Florida. Researchers looked at gene variation throughout the human genomes of 2,269 people with late-onset Alzheimer’s disease and 3,107 people without the disease through what’s known as a genome-wide association study. Such studies involve looking at long stretches of DNA to identify small differences in the genetic sequence between people with and without Alzheimer’s disease. The study found that individuals with a particular variation in the gene MTHFD1L may be almost twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease as those people without the variation. “We are hopeful our identification of MTHFD1L as a risk gene for Alzheimer’s disease will help us to better understand how this disease develops and potentially serve as a marker for people who may be at increased risk,” said Adam Naj, PhD, with the University of Miami Miller School of Meidicne’s John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics in Miami and the first author of the abstract reporting the discovery. “Identifying this gene is important because the gene is known to be involved in influencing the body’s levels of homocysteine, and high levels of homocysteine are strong risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer’s disease,” said Pericak-Vance. “In addition, variations of the MTHFD1L gene have been reported to possibly increase the risk of coronary artery disease. Since the function of blood vessels in the brain may affect Alzheimer’s disease, this finding may also help us understand how homocysteine levels and blood vessel function in the brain affect Alzheimer’s disease.” The World Health Organization estimates that there are currently 18 million people worldwide with Alzheimer’s disease, and this figure is projected to nearly double to 34 million by 2025. There are currently at least five million Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease today. The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute on Aging. The research team responsible for the work includes collaborators Jonathan Haines, PhD, from Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Joseph D. Buxbaum, PhD with Mount Sinai School of Medicine.
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The American Academy of Neurology’s Annual Meeting is the world’s largest gathering of neurologists with more than 2,300 scientific research presentations on brain disorders. The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 22,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), multiple sclerosis, stroke and migraine. For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit http://www.aan.com. Editor’s Note: Dr. Pericak-Vance will be available for media questions during a press conference at 11:00 a.m. ET, on Tuesday, April 13, 2010, in Room 803B of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto. Please contact Rachel Seroka, [email protected], to receive conference call information for those reporters covering the press conference off-site. Dr. Pericak-Vance is also available for advance interviews as well. Please contact Rachel Seroka, [email protected], to schedule an advance interview. Dr. Pericak-Vance is scheduled to present her late-breaking abstract at 7:30 a.m., ET, on Wednesday, April 14, 2010, in Room 808 of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto. To view non-late-breaking abstracts to be presented at the 2010 AAN Annual Meeting, visit http://www.aan.com/go/am10/science. Late-breaking abstracts will not be posted online in advance of the meeting and are embargoed until the date and time of presentation at the AAN Annual Meeting in Toronto or unless otherwise noted by the Academy’s Media and Public Relations Department. VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/AANChannel TEXT: http://www.aan.com/press TWEETS: http://www.twitter.com/AANPublic
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts: Rachel Seroka, [email protected], (651) 695-2738
Angela Babb, [email protected], (651) 695-2789
AAN Announces 2010 Award Winners in Neurologic Research
TORONTO – The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) will recognize the outstanding achievements of researchers in neurology during the AAN’s 62nd Annual Meeting in Toronto, April 10 through 17, 2010, the world’s largest gathering of neurologists with more than 2,000 presentations on the latest advances in neurologic research. From enterprising high school students to world-renowned researchers, the AAN Awards program will bestow 17 awards for some of the top accomplishments in the field. The awards will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology and American Academy of Neurology Foundation Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, April 14, 2010, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. This year’s recipients include: AAN Alliance Awards:
• Founders Award Farrah Mateen, MD / Baltimore, MD
• S. Weir Mitchell Award
Peter Todd, MD, PhD / Ann Arbor, MI Bruce S. Schoenberg International Award in Neuroepidemiology Judith Kwasa, MD / Kisumu, Kenya Child Neurology Neuroscience Research Prize Pragya Kakani / Jericho, NY Dreifuss-Penry Epilepsy Award Martin Gallagher, MD, PhD / Nashville, TN John Dystel Prize for Multiple Sclerosis Research David Hafler, MD, MSc / New Haven, CT Sheila Essey Award: An Award for ALS Research Clive Svendsen, PhD / Los Angeles, CA Norman Geschwind Prize in Behavioral Neurology Keith Josephs, MD, MST, MS / Rochester, MN Medical Student Essay Awards:
• Extended Neuroscience Award
Amanda Rowlands / Hershey, PA
• G. Milton Shy Award in Clinical Neurology
Deanna Cettomai / Baltimore, MD
• Roland P. Mackay Award in Historical Aspects Lauren Bowen / Gainesville, FL
• Saul R. Korey Award in Experimental Neurology
Benjamin Kwan / Windsor, ON, Canada Movement Disorders Research Award Recipient: David Eidelberg, MD / Manhasset, NY Neuroscience Research Prize Jan Gong / Garden City, NY Anouva Kalra-Lall / Roslyn, NY Theresa Tharakan / Bronx, NY Michael S. Pessin Stroke Leadership Prize Shelagh Coutts, MD / Calgary, AB, Canada Potamkin Prize for Research in Pick’s, Alzheimer’s, and Related Diseases Bruce L. Miller, MD / San Francisco, CA Lennart Mucke, MD / San Francisco, CA American Academy of Neurology President’s Award Isabelle Rapin, MD, FAAN / Bronx, NY Preuss Award in Clinical Neuro-oncology Antonio Omuro, MD / New York, NY Research Award in Geriatric Neurology Liana Apostolova, MD / Los Angeles, CA Sleep Science Award Arthur Walters, MD / Nashville, TN Jon Stolk Award in Movement Disorders for Young Investigators E. Ray Dorsey, MD / Rochester, NY Harold Wolff-John Graham: An Award for Headache/Facial Pain Research Ana Recober, MD / Iowa City, IA The 62nd Annual Meeting of the AAN takes place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 22,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized
training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as Alzheimer’s disease, migraine, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) and multiple sclerosis. For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit http://www.aan.com. VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/AANChannel TEXT: http://www.aan.com/press TWEETS: http://www.twitter.com/AANPublic
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts: Rachel Seroka, [email protected], (651) 695-2738
Angela Babb, [email protected], (651) 695-2789
Vanderbilt Researcher Receives AAN’s Dreifuss-Penry for Epilepsy Research
TORONTO – The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) is awarding the 2010 Dreifuss-Penry Epilepsy Award to Martin J. Gallagher MD, PhD, with Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. Gallagher will receive the award during the AAN’s 62nd Annual Meeting in Toronto, held April 10 through April 17, 2010. Named for two epileptologists who made outstanding contributions to the epilepsy field, the Dreifuss-Penry Award recognizes physicians in the early stages of their careers who have made an independent contribution to epilepsy research. There are several forms of epilepsy, some of which are caused in part by genetic factors. Gallagher’s research focuses on juvenile myoclonic epilepsy that begins in childhood or adolescence and involves mutations in single or multiple genes that can lead to excessively excitable nerve cells and seizures. “Understanding how the brain's major inhibitory system is compromised at a critical time in human development will help us tailor better therapies that augment these symptoms and thus better treat—or even prevent—the epilepsy syndrome,” said Gallagher. Gallagher will highlight his research at the AAN Awards Plenary Session during the AAN Annual Meeting on Thursday, April 15. The award is sponsored by the American Academy of Neurology and endowed by members of the AAN Epilepsy Section; Abbott Laboratories, Inc.; Cephalon, Inc.; Cyberonics, Inc.; Elan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; GlaxoSmithKline; Novartis Pharmaceuticals; Ortho-McNeil Neurologics; Pfizer Inc; Shire US, Inc; and UCB Pharma. The 62nd Annual Meeting of the AAN is world’s largest gatherings of neurologists, taking place in the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 22,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis. For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit http://www.aan.com.
VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/AANChannel TEXT: http://www.aan.com/press TWEETS: http://www.twitter.com/AANPublic
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts: Rachel Seroka, [email protected], (651) 695-2738
Angela Babb, [email protected], (651) 695-2789
Yale Researcher Receives AAN’s Dystel Prize for Multiple Sclerosis Research
TORONTO – The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) is awarding the 2010 John Dystel Prize for Multiple Sclerosis Research to David A. Hafler, MD, with Yale University. Hafler will receive the award during the AAN’s 62nd Annual Meeting in Toronto, held April 10 through April 17, 2010. The John Dystel Prize recognizes a significant contribution to research in the understanding, treatment, or prevention of multiple sclerosis. Hafler’s research focuses on the immunologic and genetic underpinnings of multiple sclerosis. He hopes that using the newly discovered findings of the genes that causes MS will lead to new therapies. “To effectively cure a disease, a basic understanding of the disease’s cause is required,” says Hafler. “The sequencing of the human genome has finally allowed us to identify the genetic basis of the disease, revealing a commonality with other autoimmune diseases.” Hafler will highlight his research at the AAN Awards Plenary Session during the AAN Annual Meeting on Thursday, April 15. The award is presented by the American Academy of Neurology and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and made possible through a special contribution from the John Dystel Multiple Sclerosis Research Fund at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The 62nd Annual Meeting of the AAN is world’s largest gatherings of neurologists, taking place in the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 22,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as Alzheimer’s disease, migraine, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) and multiple sclerosis. For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit http://www.aan.com. VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/AANChannel TEXT: http://www.aan.com/press TWEETS: http://www.twitter.com/AANPublic
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts: Rachel Seroka, [email protected], (651) 695-2738
Angela Babb, [email protected], (651) 695-2789
Cedars-Sinai Researcher Receives AAN’s Sheila Essey Award–An Award for ALS Research
TORONTO – The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) is awarding the 2010 Sheila Essey Award–An Award for ALS Research to Clive Svendsen, PhD, with the Cedars-Sinai Regenerative Medicine Institute in Los Angeles, CA. Svendsen will receive the award during the AAN’s 62nd Annual Meeting in Toronto, held April 10 through April 17, 2010. The Essey Award recognizes individuals who have made significant research contributions in the search for the cause, prevention of, and cure for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. The $25,000 prize is to be used toward continuing ALS research. ALS is a motor neuron disease which is characterized by the gradual degeneration and death of motor neurons. Both the upper motor neurons and the lower motor neurons are affected in ALS. Svendsen’s research focuses on adult stem cells from people with motor neuron diseases that can be reprogrammed to a more primitive state, and then developed into new motor neurons that undergo the disease process again. In addition, he is working to generate stem cells that can replace support cells in people and subsequently protect their motor neurons from dying. The support cells are also modified to release powerful growth factors that may further slow the disease. Svendsen is working with the federal government to translate his research into a clinical trial for ALS patients. “Through a greater understanding of how motor neuron diseases happen we may be able to generate new drugs,” says Svendsen. “Our stem cell transplant studies may have direct benefit to patients with ALS in the future.” Svensden will give a presentation his research at the AAN Awards Plenary Session during the AAN Annual Meeting on Thursday, April 15. Sponsored by the American Academy of Neurology and the ALS Association, this award is supported through the philanthropy of the Essey family. The 62nd Annual Meeting of the AAN is world’s largest gatherings of neurologists, taking place in the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 22,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as Alzheimer’s disease, migraine, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) and multiple sclerosis. For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit http://www.aan.com. VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/AANChannel TEXT: http://www.aan.com/press TWEETS: http://www.twitter.com/AANPublic
2010 Annual Meeting: April 10-17, TORONTO
Press Room Attendee Policies
1080 Montreal Avenue St. Paul, MN 55116
651-695-1940 Fax 651-695-2791 www.aan.com
The American Academy of Neurology (AAN), the world’s leading neurology professional association of more than 22,000
neurologists and neuroscience professionals, welcomes media participation at its 2010 Annual Meeting. The following
policies are in place for registered members of the press attending the AAN Annual Meeting Press Room
I. Embargo Policy The embargo for all non-late-breaking scientific abstracts, which includes more than 2,000 pieces of research, to be presented at the upcoming 2010 AAN Annual Meeting in Toronto, is 4:00 p.m., ET, Wednesday, February 17, 2010, which is the date and time all non-late breaking abstracts will be posted online via http://www.aan.com. This embargo date and time applies to all non-late breaking abstracts to be presented at the Annual Meeting,
April 10 to 17, 2010, unless otherwise noted by the AAN Media and Public Relations Department.
The AAN strictly enforces its embargo policy, which prohibits the distribution or publication of the contents of abstracts ahead of the embargo date and time. Embargoed press releases on newsworthy non-late breaking scientific abstracts will be distributed to credentialed journalists in early February.
The embargo for late-breaking abstracts to be presented at the AAN Annual Meeting in Toronto remains in effect until the date and time of the scientific presentation of the late-breaking abstract at the AAN Annual Meeting in Toronto, April 10 to 17, 2010, or unless otherwise noted by the AAN Media and Public Relations Department. Late-breaking abstracts are not posted online in advance of the AAN Annual Meeting. Late-breaking abstracts are
accepted from neurologists, neuroscientists, and other researchers whose work is of major scientific importance, warranting expedited presentation and publication. Key aspects of the research must have been conducted after November 2009. Embargoed press releases on newsworthy late-breaking abstracts will be distributed to credentialed journalists in late April with press conferences taking place in Toronto during the week of the Annual Meeting, April 10 to 17, 2010. For questions regarding Annual Meeting
policies, please contact Angela Babb in the AAN Media and Public Relations Department at [email protected] or (651) 695-2789.
II. Press Room Attendee Policies
Which programs and sessions can registered media attend at
no charge?
Scientific Plenary, Platform and Poster Sessions
Scientific Topic Highlights Sessions
Exhibit Hall
Future of Neuroscience Conference
All Continuing Medical Education (CME) Full-Day and Half-Day Courses, depending on space availability
Case Study Programs
Colloquiums
After-Dinner Seminars
Which programs and sessions are registered media NOT
allowed to attend?
Skills workshop sessions, which are hands-on learning
sessions for physicians
Corporate Therapeutic Updates
Which programs and sessions require registered media to
purchase a ticket at their own expense?
Breakfast Seminars, Luncheon Seminars, Dinner
Seminars, Coding Lunches
Will registered media receive a syllabus if they attend a Half-
Day or Full-Day CME course? Syllabi are now available to credentialed media in each course room with proof of a press badge. Slides are available in each
course room on a first come, first basis. However, paid meeting attendees receive priority in receiving slides.
What are the Press Room hours? The Press Room will be open 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, April 11, 2010. The Press Room will be open 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET, Monday, April 12 to Thursday, April 15, 2010.
Can we submit advance interview requests? If registered media representatives are aware in advance of the Annual Meeting abstracts for which they would like assistance on interview requests and/or second sources, please send these to the Press Room staff for advance coordination at [email protected].
Is still photography and video recording allowed? The AAN has strict guidelines regarding the use of video and
audio recording equipment. All video and still photographers must be escorted at all times when outside of the Press Room.
Media wishing to photograph any part of the Annual
Meeting via still and/or video camera should receive prior clearance from the American Academy of Neurology Press Room staff and be escorted.
Only journalists accompanied by AAN staff will be
allowed to photograph or videotape brief portions of presentations, workshops, or poster sessions.
Journalists must meet their staff camera escort in the
AAN Press Room and be escorted to the presentation.
Is audio recording allowed? The AAN has strict guidelines regarding the use of audio recording equipment. Media wishing to record any part of the Annual Meeting should receive prior clearance from the American
Academy of Neurology Press Room staff when registering on-site. For questions regarding policies, please contact Rachel Seroka at [email protected] or (651) 695-2738.
Embargo Policies
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651-695-1940 Fax 651-695-2791 www.aan.com
The American Academy of Neurology (AAN), the world’s leading neurology professional association of more than 22,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, allows credentialed members of the media to receive embargoed content of its medical journal, Neurology®, as well as abstracts to be presented at the AAN Annual Meeting. The following embargo policies are strictly enforced by the American Academy of Neurology:
I. Embargo Policy for Neurology®journal studies
Articles appearing in the American Academy of Neurology’s print journal, Neurology®, are embargoed for release to the public until 4:00 p.m., ET, the day before the Tuesday print publication date. If the article’s abstract is chosen to be published in print in advance of the full article being published, the information in the abstract, along with the full article, are embargoed for release to the public until 4:00 p.m., ET, the day before the abstract is published in the print issue of the journal.
If the full article is chosen to be published online ahead of print publication, the paper and its findings would be embargoed until 4:00 p.m., ET, the day of online publication to http://www.neurology.org (Wednesdays). If there are any questions concerning an embargo date and time, please contact the American Academy of Neurology’s Media and Public Relations Manager, Angela Babb, at [email protected] or (651) 695-2789. Credentialed representatives of the press may request further information about embargoed Neurology® articles, including advance copies of articles and help coordinating interviews with researchers, by contacting Angela Babb or Rachel Seroka, Media and Public Relations
Administrator at [email protected] or (651) 695-2738. Post-embargo press releases are available at http://www.aan.com/press/press/index.cfm.
II. Embargo Policy for 2010 AAN Annual Meeting Abstracts The embargo for all non-late-breaking scientific abstracts, which includes more than 2,000 pieces of research to be presented at the upcoming 2010 AAN Annual Meeting in Toronto, is 4:00 p.m., ET, Wednesday, February 17, 2010, which is the date and time all non-late breaking abstracts will be posted online via http://www.aan.com. This embargo date and time applies to all non-late breaking abstracts to be presented at the AAN Annual Meeting in Toronto, April 10 to 17, 2010, unless otherwise noted by the AAN Media and Public Relations Department.
The AAN strictly enforces its embargo policy, which prohibits the distribution or publication of the contents of abstracts ahead of the embargo date and time. Embargoed press releases on newsworthy non-late breaking scientific abstracts will be distributed to credentialed journalists in early February.
The embargo for late-breaking abstracts to be presented at the AAN Annual Meeting in Toronto remains in effect until the date and time of the scientific presentation of the late-breaking abstract at the AAN Annual Meeting, or unless otherwise noted by the AAN Media and Public Relations Department. Late-breaking abstracts are not posted online in advance of the AAN Annual Meeting. Late-breaking abstracts are accepted from neurologists, neuroscientists, and other researchers whose work is of major scientific importance, warranting expedited presentation and publication. Key aspects of the research must have been conducted after November 2009. Embargoed press releases on
newsworthy late-breaking abstracts will be distributed to credentialed journalists in late April with press conferences taking place in Toronto during the week of the Annual Meeting, April 10-17, 2010. For questions regarding Annual Meeting policies, please contact Angela Babb in the AAN Media and Public Relations Department at [email protected] or (651) 695-2789.
III. Sanctions for Embargo Violators Failure by media organizations to abide by the AAN embargoes will result in suspension of media credentials, which will affect access privileges to embargoed content for the journal Neurology®, embargoed media materials and for embargoed abstracts presented at the AAN Annual Meeting.
IV. Press Credentials for Embargoed Material
Journalists must provide the following credentials for review by AAN staff in order to receive embargoed content from the Neurology® journal or the Annual Meeting abstract program.
• Business card clearly showing media affiliation (a print, online, or broadcast news organization) and position (editor, writer, producer, reporter).
• Letter of assignment on official company letterhead from an editor of a recognized publication or a producer of a broadcast program certifying that you are covering the study or abstract for the respective news organization.
• At least one published bylined sample of editorial and/or news work. • Published bylined samples of coverage from previous articles about the Neurology® journal or the AAN Annual Meeting (if
applicable).
MCD: 2010 Annual Meeting Press Kit folder_Generic versionUSAGE: Distributed by MCT Department with Press Releases containedSPECS: 9” x 11.875” Folder: Multiple folds (see dieline): Full bleed (+.125”): 4C
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2010 Annual MeetingPress Kit
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