Aim of the Course

The 2026 Joint MS Academia course is an annual event aimed at providing an update on the main novelties of the year in the field of MS. The 2026 edition will particularly focus on new evidence on immunopathogenetic mechanisms, imaging, fluid biomarkers an new therapeutic approaches In relation to the MS continuum.

The ‘controversies’ session will cover the main ‘hot topics’ that are currently debated, including MS prodromes, progression independent from relapses (PIRA) as a new clinical outcome, the impact of artificial intelligence and machine learning on the improvement of MS detection and prediction, and new epidemiological data and treatment algorithm about late onset MS (LOMS).

Since 2020, Med-Ex Learning has been providing this course in collaboration with the European Charcot Foundation, and we plan to continue this tradition in 2026 and in the future.

Target Audience

The 2026 Joint MS Academia Course is designed for neurologists and other healthcare professionals with specific interest in Multiple Sclerosis.

Learning objectives

Describing the role of central chronic inflammation in the progressive phase of MS and the mechanism of action of new drugs
Addressing new diagnostic and treatment challenges in special populations and conditions (radiological isolated syndrome, pregnancy, elderly…)
Understanding how to classify disease courses and estimate prognosis in relation to new fluid and digital biomarkers of disease progression

Scientific Organisers

Hans Peter Hartung
Professor of Neurology
Department of Neurology
Heinrich-Heine University

and

Department of Conservative Medicine
Dusseldorf University Hospital

Co-President of the European Charcot Foundation
Dusseldorf, Germany

Xavier Montalban
Professor of Neurology
Neurology Department
Multiple Sclerosis Centre of Catalonia (Cemcat)

and

Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus

Co-President of the European Charcot Foundation
Barcelona, Spain

CME Accreditation

The programme will be submitted for CME accreditation to the Canadian Royal College of Physicians.

Endorsements

This educational programme has been endorsed by:

Registration

Registration for in-person attendance is free of charge but limited places are available.

Pre-register Now to be among the first to receive programme updates, early access to registration, and key information as the 2026 edition takes shape.

Venue

Radisson Blu Toronto Downtown

249 Queens Quay W

Toronto, Canada

Scientific Secretariat

Med-Ex Learning
Rome, Italy
info@medexlearning.com

Preliminary Programme

13.30* – Welcome & Opening
H.P. Hartung, Germany and X. Montalban, Spain

Session 1: Relapsing remitting and progressive MS – One or Two Diseases?

Chair: H.P. Hartung, Germany

13.45 – L1
New evidence on mechanistic aspects of neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration
Speaker to be announced

14.05 – L2
Imaging biomarkers
D. Ontaneda, USA

14.25 – L3
Body fluid biomarkers conceptual and practical
J. Kuhle, Switzerland

14.45 – L4
New Diagnostic criteria and revision of the classification of courses
X. Montalban, Spain

15.05 – L5
Optimization of treatments in real life settings
J. Oh, Canada

15.25 – L6
From neuroimmunology to future treatment targets
A. Bar Or, USA

15.45 – Q&A

15.55 – Coffee break

Session 2: Controversies in MS

Chair: X. Montalban, Spain

16.10 – L7
MS prodromes: sensitivity or specificity?
Speaker to be announced

16.30 – L8
PIRA: inflammation or neurodegeneration?
C. Tur, Spain

16.50 – L9
Predicting disability: what’s the role of artificial intelligence?
C. Granziera, Switzerland

17.10 – L10
Late onset MS: a new clinical entity?
M. Tintorè, Spain

17.30 – L11
Treatment de-escalation: who, when, why?
H.P. Hartung, Germany

17.50 – L12
Pregnancy management in MS: what’s new?
M. Houtchens, USA

18.10 – Q&A

18.20 – Wrap up

18.40 – End of the day

local time
This independent educational program is not included in the MSToronto2026 accredited program

2026 Joint MS Academia

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2026 Joint MS Academia