A Must-Attend Masterclass in 2026

Designed for clinicians navigating pregnancy and family planning in MS and antibody mediated neurological diseases, this Masterclass returns 17 -19 June 2026.

View the Preliminary Programme for a preview of what’s ahead.

RATIONALE

Over the past two decades extensive research has established that Multiple Sclerosis (MS) should no longer be considered a barrier to family planning, encouraging a growing number of women with MS to consider motherhood. Concurrently, the earlier and broader use of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) and the growing role of fertility and assisted reproductive techniques, have increased the complexity of reproductive counseling.

The present Masterclass was conceived to address the rising demand for practical, evidence-based guidance on family planning in MS. The course is specifically designed to answer the most frequently encountered clinical questions faced by neurologists in daily practice, spanning the management of DMTs from preconception to the postpartum period, infection prevention strategies, breastfeeding, and the recognition and treatment of mood disturbances. Alongside practical workshops, leading experts will present and critically discuss the most recent evidence and emerging biomarkers to monitor disease activity aiming to bridge the gap between scientific advances and real-world clinical practice.

Building on the MS experience, this Masterclass adopts a translational and disease-spanning approach to pregnancy management in autoimmune neurological disorders.

Particular focus will be placed on family planning management in Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders (NMOSD) and MOG antibody–associated disease (MOGAD), autoimmune encephalitides, and autoimmune neurological conditions involving the peripheral nervous system, such as Myasthenia Gravis (MG). Across these disorders, the introduction of high-efficacy targeted therapies has fundamentally changed the reproductive outlook, introducing complex diagnostic and therapeutic considerations, ultimately highlighting the need for shared expertise and structured, multidisciplinary management strategies.

Through a combination of lectures delivered by internationally recognized experts, interactive case-based workshops, and follow-up online modules, this Masterclass aims to equip neurologists with the knowledge, tools, and confidence required to manage family planning in autoimmune neurological diseases with multidisciplinary evidence driven approach.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Acquire knowledge regarding the immunology of pregnancy in treated and untreated women with MS and autoimmune neurological diseases
Define clinical, radiological and emerging molecular indicators for MS disease activity monitoring during pregnancy and postpartum
Optimize preconception counseling and pregnancy and post-partum management in women with NMOSD, MOGAD, autoimmune encephalitis and MG
Promote the multidisciplinary, structured ‘MS Pregnancy Unit’ model across centers

SCIENTIFIC ORGANISERS

Girolama A. Marfia and Doriana Landi
Department of Systems Medicine
UOSD Multiple Sclerosis
Tor Vergata University
Rome, Italy

TARGET AUDIENCE

This educational activity is designed for neurologists, gynecologists, nurses, obstetricians, pediatricians, infectivologists, biologists, with special interest or focus in MS and autoimmune neurological diseases.

ACCREDITATION

The programme has been submitted for CME accreditation to the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME®).

The programme has been also accredited for in-person participants by the Italian Ministry of Health by the CME provider FOR.MED. srl (Id. 4695) as follows:

Event number: 480974 – CME Credits: 15

ENDORSEMENTS

This educational programme has been endorsed by:

VENUE

Borgo Della Mistica
Largo M. Bellisario, 300
Rome

SCIENTIFIC SECRETARIAT

Med-Ex Learning
viale Gorizia 52, Rome
info@medexlearning.com

REGISTRATION

Register now to be among the first to receive programme updates, early access to registration, and key information as the 2026 edition takes shape.

The registration fee for the in-presence attendance is equal to 200€ and includes:

Scientific sessions
Post-event webinars
Conference materials
Lunches and coffee breaks
Social dinners

The registration fee for the remote attendance is equal to 50€.

FACULTY

Carlo Alviggi, Gynaecologist, Italy
Georgina Arrambide, Neurologist, Spain
Francesca Bovis, Statistician, Italy
Diego Centonze, Neurologist, Italy
Massimiliano Di Filippo, Neurologist, Italy
Aide Esu, Sociologist, Italy
Caterina Exacoustos, Gynaecologist, Italy
Kerstin Hellwig, Neurologist, Germany
Sarah Hoffmann, Neurologist, Germany
Marco Iannetta, Infectious Disease Specialist, Italy
Emmanuele A. Jannini, Endocrinologist, Italy
Vilija Jokubaitis, Neurologist, Australia
Doriana Landi, Neurologist, Italy
Girolama Alessandra Marfia, Neurologist, Italy
Sara Mariotto, Neurologist, Italy
Claudia Massarotti, Gynaecologist, Italy
Celia Oreja-Guevara, Neurologist, Spain
Raffaele Palladino, Public Health Specialist, Italy
Paolo Palma, Pediatrician, Italy
Ilaria Pisani, Gynaecologist, Italy
Emilo Portaccio, Neurologist, Italy
Marco Salvetti, Neurologist, Italy

Menno Schhonheim, Neurologist, The Netherlands
Martina Severa, Biologist, Italy
Martina Siracusano, Child Neuropsychiatrist, Italy
Carla Tortorella, Neurologist, Italy
M.C. Ysrraelit, Neurologist, Argentina

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17

14.00 Welcome and Introduction

D. Landi, Italy – G.A. Marfia, Italy

14.15 Institutional Welcome

D. Centonze, Italy

14.25 Lectio Magistralis: ‘The female brain: the brain-ovary axis’

M. Schhonheim, The Netherlands (from remote)

Session 1 Female hormone dynamics and neuroimmunology in MS and antibody mediated disorders

Chairs: D. Centonze, Italy – D. Landi, Italy

15.00 The impact of physiological hormonal dynamics across the femalelifespan on MS and antibody mediated neurological diseases: from puberty to menopause

M.C. Ysrraelit, Argentina (from remote)

15.20 Hormone-driven immune modulation throughout the female reproductive journey in MS and Antibody mediated autoimmune neurological conditions

M. Severa, Italy

15.40 Beyond the reproductive system: the interplay between gynecological conditions and neuroinflammation (i.e. endometriosis, ovaric cancer)

K. Exacoustous, Italy

16.00 Discussion

16.20 Coffee Break

Session 2 Reproductive challenges in MS and antibody-mediated disorders

Chairs: C. Alviggi, Italy – G.A. Marfia, Italy

16.40 Fertility issues Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART) in women and men with MS and antibodies – mediated diseases

A. Esu, Italy

17.00 The burden of sexual Dysfunction in MS and antibody-mediated disorders: Innovative strategies and insights from AI and assistive Technologies

E.A. Jannini, Italy

17.20 The risk of MS intergenerational transmission: fear or facts?

M. Salvetti, Italy

17.40 Fertility issues Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART) in women and men with MS and antibodies – mediated diseases

C. Massarotti, Italy (from remote)

18.00 Discussion

18.20 Clinical Case Workshop

Chairs: C. Alviggi, Italy – D. Landi, Italy

19.00 End of Day 1

THURSDAY, JUNE 18

Session 3 Epidemiology of pregnancy and Maternal Outcomes in MS

Chairs: G.A. Marfia, Italy – R. Palladino, Italy

09.00 The evolution of clinical and radiological outcomes during and after pregnancy in MS

K. Hellwig, Germany

09.20 Emerging biomarkers to monitor disease activity across pregnancy and postpartum in MS

M. Di Filippo, Italy (from remote)

09.40 Pregnancy Registries and Pharmacovigilance in MS: Opportunities and Limitations

V. Jokoubaitis, Australia

10.00 Pregnancy in MS as a Statistical Model: complexity, limitations and novel approaches

F. Bovis, Italy

10.20 Discussion

10.40 Coffee break

Session 4 Family planning in MS: a practice-based approach to counselling

Chairs: K. Hellwig, Germany – D. Landi, Italy

11.00 Optimizing DMTs in family planning: current guidelines in MS

G.A. Marfia, Italy

11.20 Maternal-Infant vaccination and infectious disease management in pregnancy-seeking and pregnant women with MS

M. Iannetta, Italy

11.40 Clinical management of women with MS undergoing ART

D. Landi, Italy

12.00 Discussion

12.20 Clinical Case Workshop: Age- and Safety-Specific Considerations in Family Planning for Women with MS

Chairs: K. Hellwig, Germany – D. Landi, Italy

13.20 Lunch

Chairs: G. Marfia, Italy – I.Pisani, Italy

14.20 Obstetric management and complications in MS and antibody-mediated neurological disorders

I. Pisani, Italy

14.40 Perinatal inflammation and mood vulnerability in MS: neuroimmune pathways from mother to offspring

G. Menculini, Italy

15.00 Breastfeeding in MS: Implications for Mother and Child

E. Portaccio, Italy

15.20 Long-Term Neurodevelopmental outcomes in Children Born to Mothers with MS

M. Siracusano, Italy

15.40 Discussion

16.00 Clinical Case Workshop Navigating Postpartum Complexity in MS—From Breastfeeding to Mood Disorders and Hidden Symptoms

Chairs: D. Landi, Italy – Chair to be announced

17.45 End of Day 2

FRIDAY, JUNE 19

Session 5 Pregnancy in Antibody-Mediated neurological diseases

Chairs: R. Iorio, Italy – C. Tortorella, Italy

09.00 Materno-fetal antibody transfer dynamics during pregnancy: implications for neonatal diseases and infection protections

P. Palma, Italy

09.20 Maternal and Fetal Outcomes in women with NMOsd

G. Arrambide, Spain

09.40 Maternal and Fetal Outcomes in women with NMOsd and MOGAD and other antibody mediated neurological disorders

S. Mariotto, Italy

10.00 Maternal and Fetal Outcomes in Women with Myasthenia Gravis (MG)

S. Hoffman, Germany

10.20 Discussion

10.40 Clinical Case Workshop: Pregnancy management in the context of systemic and neurological polyautoimmunity

Chairs: D. Landi, Italy – S. Mariotto, Italy

11.40 Coffee Break

Session 6 Management Models

Chair: G. Marfia. Italy

12.00 Round Table: The Maternity Care Unit in autoimmune neurological disorders: state of the art in Europe and initiatives to improve the model

K. Hellwig, Germany

V. Jokubaitis, Australia

D. Landi, Italy

E. Melo, Brazil

C. Oreja-Guevara, Spain

13.00 Conclusions

13.30 Closing Lunch

FOLLOW UP ONLINE MODULES

Two different learning appointments, dedicated only to the Masterclass attendees.

Each workshop will focus on specific topics.

During the sessions participants will have the opportunity to practice, acquire knowledge and competences by sharing their clinical cases and discussing their approach with experts.

Dates will be confirmed at a further stage.

Online Module n. 1

▪ Chairs: D. Landi, Italy – G. Marfia, Italy

Online Module n. 2

▪ Chairs: D. Landi, Italy – G. Marfia, Italy

Diplomas will be delivered to attendees at the end of the educational Pathway.

For any additional questions or queries, please contact the Scientific Secretariat:

Med-Ex Learning, Rome, Italy

info@medexlearning.com

2026 Masterclass on Pregnancy in MS and antibody mediated neurological diseases

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2026 Masterclass on Pregnancy in MS and antibody mediated neurological diseases