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CMSC 2026

Whitaker Platform Session

Moderator/Chair: Ahmed Zayed Obeidat , MD, PhD
This platform session will feature cutting-edge investigations from emerging and established researchers, highlighting novel insights into the biological mechanisms, biomarkers, and clinical manifestations of multiple sclerosis (MS). Presentations will explore accelerated aging in MS through neuroimaging and proteomic approaches, offering new perspectives on disease onset and progression beyond chronological measures. Mechanistic studies will examine pathways of neurodegeneration, including inflammation-driven cell death and impaired remyelination, with a focus on identifying potential therapeutic targets. Additional talks will address the impact of environmental factors such as tobacco smoking on metabolic pathways, as well as the challenges of predicting clinical outcomes, including falls and ambulatory dysfunction. Together, these presentations provide a comprehensive view of MS pathophysiology spanning molecular, translational, and clinical research. This session will foster discussion on how these diverse approaches can be integrated to improve disease characterization, prognostication, and treatment strategies in MS. Attendees will gain exposure to innovative methodologies and emerging concepts that may shape future research and clinical care. Level of Information: Intermediate, AdvancedThis platform session will feature cutting-edge investigations from emerging and established researchers, highlighting novel insights into the biological mechanisms, biomarkers, and clinical manifestations of multiple sclerosis (MS). Presentations will explore accelerated aging in MS through neuroimaging and proteomic approaches, offering new perspectives on disease onset and progression beyond chronological measures. Mechanistic studies will examine pathways of neurodegeneration, including inflammation-driven cell death and impaired remyelination, with a focus on identifying potential therapeutic targets. Additional talks will address the impact of environmental factors such as tobacco smoking on metabolic pathways, as well as the challenges of predicting clinical outcomes, including falls and ambulatory dysfunction. Together, these presentations provide a comprehensive view of MS pathophysiology spanning molecular, translational, and clinical research. This session will foster discussion on how these diverse approaches can be integrated to improve disease characterization, prognostication, and treatment strategies in MS. Attendees will gain exposure to innovative methodologies and emerging concepts that may shape future research and clinical care. Level of Information: Intermediate, Advanced

Presentations in This Session

Accelerated Brain Aging Identifies Functional Deficits Not Captured by Chronological Age in Multiple Sclerosis

Speaker/s: Patrick Monaghan, PhD

Proteomic Age is Accelerated in Multiple Sclerosis and Evident at the Pre-Symptomatic Stage

Speaker/s: Fatemeh Siavoshi, MD

MIF Nuclease Inhibition Protects Neurons from Parthanatos Cell Death Following Inflammation

Speaker/s: Sachin Gadani, MD, PhD

Tobacco Smoking Disrupts Bile Acid and Tryptophan Metabolism in Multiple Sclerosis

Speaker/s: Federico Montini, MD, PhD

Clinical Measures of Ambulatory Balance Do Not Improve Prediction of Self-Reported Falls for People with Multiple Sclerosis

Speaker/s: Mitchell Adam, PT, DPT

Dysregulated Tetrahydrobiopterin Pathways Impairs Oligodendrocyte Differentiation and Remyelination in Multiple Sclerosis

Speaker/s: Zaenab S. Dhari, MD