2009 Scientific Plenary Sessions
Focusing on clinical and basic science issues of interest to all neurologists, the four Plenary Sessions feature outstanding lecturers who are leaders in their fields.
- Presidential Plenary Session
- Hot Topics Plenary Session
- Contemporary Clinical Issues and Case Studies
- Frontiers in Clinical Neuroscience Plenary Session
- Scientific Program Highlights Plenary Session
Tuesday, April 28
Presidential Plenary Session
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Washington State Convention and Trade Center, Exhibit Hall 4A
The Presidential Plenary Session features the Academy's premier lecture awards for clinically relevant research and a presentation by a leading lecturer. Top researchers speak on some of the most significant findings in neurology in 2008. The session concludes with the annual AAN Business Meeting.
| Moderator: Stefan M. Pulst, MD, FAAN, Chair, Science Committee and Scientific Program Subcommittee | ![]() |
| Presidential Lecture "Doctoring, 2009, Embracing the Challenge" Stephen M. Sergay, MB BCh, FAAN Tampa Neurology Associates, Tampa, FL |
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| Robert Wartenberg Lecture "Cognitive Motor Disorders: The Apraxias" Kenneth M. Heilman, MD, FAAN University of Florida, Gainesville, FL |
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| "'Evidence' and the Effective Clinical Neurologist" Louis R. Caplan, MD, FAAN Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA |
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Get Involved in Your Academy and Professional Association
Stay for the Academy's annual Business Meeting immediately following the final lecture to find out the latest on Academy business and information.
Hot Topics Plenary Session
5:15 p.m.–6:15 p.m.
Washington State Convention and Trade Center, Exhibit Hall 4A
This session highlights important and interesting abstracts presented at subspecialty meetings leading up to the Annual Meeting that are not on the program but should be heard by a wide audience at the Annual Meeting. Topics are selected by the AAN Science Committee and AAN Scientific Program Subcommittee.
| Moderator: Raymond P. Roos, MD, FAAN, Chair, Basic Science Subcommittee | ![]() |
| "Progranulin, microRNAs and Neurodegeneration" Rosa Rademakers, PhD, Jacksonville, FL |
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| "Induced Pluripotent Stem (iPS) Cells from a Patient with Spinal Muscular Atrophy: Implications for Neurology" Clive Svendsen, PhD Madison, WI |
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| "Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy: Lessons from AIDS and the Newer Biologic Agents" Joseph R. Berger, MD, FAAN, Lexington, KY |
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| "Deep Brain Stimulation Dogma: Fact or Fiction. Results from Randomized Clinical Trials" Jerrold L. Vitek, MD, PhD, Cleveland, OH |
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Wednesday, April 29
Contemporary Clinical Issues and Case Studies Plenary Session
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Washington State Convention and Trade Center, Exhibit Hall 4A
This session highlights issues most critical to practicing neurologists, including abstracts related to new therapeutic developments, clinical applications of basic and translational research, and innovative technical developments. In addition to the Contemporary Clinical Issues discussion, a case study format addresses topics of interest. Commentary and discussion follow each presentation.
| Moderator: Stefan M. Pulst, MD, FAAN, Chair, Science Committee and Scientific Program Subcommittee | ![]() |
| "Parental Dementia and Alzheimer Disease Are Associated with Poorer Memory in Middle-Aged Adults: The Framingham Offspring Study" Stephanie Debette, MD, PhD, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA |
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| Discussant: David A. Bennett, MD, Chicago, IL |
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| "Inclusion of Women of Childbearing Potential (WOCBP) in Clinical Trials With Neurologic Diseases and Procedures" Barbara P. Karp, MD, Potomac, MD |
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| Discussant: Karl D. Kieburtz, MD, FAAN, Rochester, NY |
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In addition to the Contemporary Clinical Issues discussion, a case study format will address the following topics:
| "Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy" Elizabeth Donner, MD, FRCPC, Toronto, ON, Canada |
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| "Use of mTOR Inhibitor in the Treatment of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex" David N. Franz, MD, Cincinnati, OH |
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| "Can the Sunshine Vitamin Throw Light on MS? The Case for Vitamin D in MS Prevention" Alberto Ascherio, MD, PhD, Boston, MA |
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| "Extending the Time Window for Thrombolytic Therapy for Acute Stroke" Patrick D. Lyden MD, FAAN, San Diego, CA |
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Thursday, April 30
Frontiers in Clinical Neuroscience Plenary Session
9:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Washington State Convention and Trade Center, Exhibit Hall 4A
This session focuses on translational research related to clinical issues of importance. Four physician-scientists outline their recent research findings, along with the clinical implications.
| Moderator: John W. Griffin, MD, Chair, Lecture Awards Subcommittee | ![]() |
| "Modulating Putative Depression Circuits Using Deep Brain Stimulation" Helen S. Mayberg, MD Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA |
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| "Mechanisms of Fragile X Syndrome and Associated Disorders" Stephen T. Warren, PhD Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA |
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| "Toward Therapies for Polyglutamine Diseases" Henry L. Paulson, MD, PhD, FAAN University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI |
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| "Seeking the Causes of Parkinson's Disease" Caroline M. Tanner, MD, PhD, FAAN Parkinson's Institute, Sunnyvale, CA |
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Friday, May 1
Scientific Program Highlights Plenary Session
5:15 p.m.–6:15 p.m.
Washington State Convention and Trade Center, Exhibit Hall 4A
This highlights plenary reviews the most critical new research from more than 1,600 studies presented throughout the 2009 Scientific Program. In addition, interesting abstracts presented at subspecialty meetings leading up to the AAN 61st Annual Meeting that are not on the program—but should be heard by a wide audience—will also be presented. Education Programs will end at 5:00 p.m. Friday, allowing time for meeting participants to attend this session.
| Moderator: Stefan M. Pulst, MD, FAAN, Chair, Science Committee and Scientific Program Subcommittee | ![]() |
For More Information
For more information about the Plenary Sessions, please contact Tina Novack at tnovack@aan.com or (651) 695-2734.





















