Description
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 Scientific Brochure 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 2026 Masterclass on Pregnancy in MS and antibody mediated neurological diseases has been accredited by the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME®) with 14.5 European CME credits (ECMEC®s). Each medical specialist should claim only those hours of credit that he/she actually spent in the educational activity.
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 – E. Portaccio, Italy
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
S. Hoffmann, Germany
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