DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Zagreb, Ulica Grada Vukovara 269a, Zagreb, Croatia

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1 March 5 7, 2015 DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Zagreb, Ulica Grada Vukovara 269a, Zagreb, Croatia Organizers: MS Research Association Croatia Referral Centre for Demyelinating Diseases of the CNS, Department of Neurology University Hospital Centre Zagreb Croatian Neurological Society The meeting is under Auspices: Ministry of Health of the Republic of Croatia

2 Chairpersons V. Brinar and M. Habek Organizing Committee S. Šega, S. Butković Soldo, S. Hajnšek, B. Barun and M. Bošnjak Pašić Conference secretariat Tereza Gabelić, Ivan Adamec, Luka Crnošija Department of Neurology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb Kispatičeva 12 HR Zagreb, Croatia

3 Dear Colleagues, The 7 th Croatian International Conference on Multiple Sclerosis and Related Autoimmune Disorders, Zagreb, March 5-7, 2015, represents continuation of the previous six Dubrovnik International Conferences on Multiple Sclerosis. At this Conference, along with contemporary views on immunopathology, clinical and neuroimaging diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS), special attention will be focused on the treatment of MS in adults, neurophysiologic monitoring (autonomic nervous system disorders, OCT, evoked potentials, polysomnography) epidemiology of MS, importance and optimal use of cannabis treatment in MS, importance of diet environmental influences as a trigger of MS as well as on the differential diagnostic importance of similar demyelinating disorders, with special reference to autoimmune encephalitis Treatment optimization in MS is important specifically because MS is characterized by different clinical presentations and variable clinical course, however the treatment of this individually diverse disease is almost identical, especially in the early phase of the disease. Personalized approach to the treatment of MS is extremely important, but how to apply this personalized approach nowadays with emerging new therapies is still an unanswered question. Another problem is how to determine and how to treat a patient with suboptimal response? Our intention is to answer these questions and to determine the optimal method of treatment in an interactive communication with known experts in the field of MS through a variety of examples, with clear explanation of the reasons for a particular therapeutic approach. Neurophysiology nowadays is another very important parameter in monitoring development of MS. Although clinical and MRI characteristics are the mainstream in the diagnosis and disease monitoring in MS, in the past several years we have witnessed great advancement in clinical neurophysiology methods in MS. With the introduction of experimental evoked potentials, optic coherence tomography, various tests of autonomic nervous system, and polysomnography, the spectrum of MS manifestations has been broadened and we have new tools in monitoring the disease progression. Our intention is to present the characteristics and importance of the mentioned neurophysiologic tools in MS monitoring with implications on the prognosis and possible influence on the choice or even changes of treatment. Epidemiological data on MS attract special attention not only because of the increasing number of MS patients, but also because in recent years we are witnessing enormous advances in the epidemiology of MS, most of all, the importance of vitamin D in MS. What is better, to recommend taking high doses of vitamin D or to exercise in the sun, or both? Is there a connection between MS and different dietary habits? Our intention is to answer such questions with well-known experts in the field of MS epidemiology. Other demyelinating diseases of the CNS also represent very important diagnostic and therapeutic problems. It is well known that, although MS is the most common demyelinating disease of the CNS, we often encounter white matter changes in patients with atypical clinical symptoms such as headache, fatigue or functional disturbances. What would be the optimal diagnostic algorithm in such conditions often diagnosed as inflammatory or ischemic leukoencephalopathy? And another very important issue is how to diagnose, define and treat autoimmune encephalitis? Our intention is to answer these questions with experts in the field of autoimmune encephalitis and differential diagnosis of various demyelinating diseases. For the Organizing Committee: Vesna V. Brinar and Mario Habek

4 PROGRAM Thursday, March 5 08:00 09:30 Registration 09:30 09:45 Opening remarks V. Brinar, M. Habek 09:45 10:30 Welcome Neurophysiology of multiple sclerosis 09:45 10:30 Chairpersons: M. Habek, L. Leoncani, E. S. Papathanasiou :40 Introduction M. Habek 10:40 11:10 Neurophysiological techniques in multiple sclerosis: are they still useful? L. Leocani 11:10 11:40 Why is autonomic nervous system important in multiple sclerosis? M. Habek 11:40 12:10 Evoked potentials in monitoring disease progression in multiple sclerosis with special emphasis on VEMPs E.S. Papathanasiou 12:10 12:25 Discussion 12:25 14:00 Lunch 14:00 14:30 The VEMP score: a novel method for detection of brainstem dysfunction in multiple sclerosis T. Gabelić 14:30 15:00 Polysomnographic features in structure of sleep in multiple sclerosis patients B. Barun 15:00 15:10 Discussion 15:10 16:00 Coffee break Chairpersons: I. Adamec, B. Barun 16:00 16:30 Immunopathology of multiple sclerosis H. Lassmann 16:30 17:00 Epidemiology of multiple sclerosis M. Pugliatti 17:00 17:15 Discussion Friday, March 6 Therapy of multiple sclerosis 09:45 10:30 Chairpersons: V. Brinar, M. Linnebank, S. Šega 08:30 08:40 Introduction S. Šega 08:40 09:20 Overview of present multiple sclerosis therapy B. Kieseier 09:20 09:50 Tecfidera in MS treatment M. Linnebank 09:50 10:20 Treatment Optimization in MS R. Nicholas (sponsored by Medis/Biogen) 10:20 11:00 Coffee break 11:00 11:30 Is it time to change our views in treatment of RRMS? V. Brinar 11:30 12:20 MS therapy: an expert view interactive presentation B. Kieseier 12:20 14:20 Lunch 13:20 14:20 Poster session Presidents: I. Adamec, B. Barun, T. Gabelić 14:20 14:50 History and clinical experiences with Alemtuzumab J. Jones

5 14:50 15:20 Efficacy and effectiveness of Alemtuzumab choosing appropriate patient E. Havrdova 15:20 15:50 Aubagio From clinical trial to real world experience A. Chan 15:50 16:45 Round table discussion Chair: M. Linnebank; Moderator: E. Havrdova 16:45 17:20 Coffee break 17:20 18:00 Cannabinoid treatment in multiple sclerosis C. S. Constantinescu 20:00 22:00 Gala dinner Saturday, March 7 Environmental causes, diet and differential diagnosis of MS Chairpersons: S. Šega, M. Bošnjak Pašić, J. Drulović 08:30 08:40 Introduction V. Brinar 08:40 09:10 Pain in multiple sclerosis V. Bašić Kes 09:10 09:40 Environmental risk factors in multiple sclerosis J. Drulović 09:40 10:10 Diet and vitamin D in multiple sclerosis K. Munger 10:10 10:25 Discussion 10:25 11:00 Coffee break Differential diagnosis of multiple sclerosis 11:00 11:30 Autoimmune encephalitis F. Graus 11:30 12:00 Neuromyelitis optica and beyond I. Adamec 12:00 13:00 Interactive case presentations: differential diagnosis of multiple sclerosis M. Habek, V. Brinar 13:00 13:30 Discussion 13:30 13:45 Closing remarks 13:45 14:30 Goodbye buffet Social events: Thursday March 5, :45 10:30 Welcome buffet Friday March 6, :00 Gala Dinner Saturday March 7, :45 14:30 Goodbye buffet

6 Registration fee for participants include: Participation in scientific sessions Entrance to the exhibitions Conference program and Abstracts Books Welcome cocktail and dinner on Friday evening Coffee during breaks Lunch and Goodbye buffet Cancellation Policy No refund on cancellations after February 16, 2015 Registration/Hospitality/Information Registration desk is situated at the Hotel Double Tree by Hilton for duration of the Conference Registration will be opened on Thursday 5th of March 2015 from 8:00 and on Friday 6th from 8:30 throughout the sessions. Language The official language of the Conference will be English Power point Preview session hall will be equipped with an overhead and Power Point. Speakers should check their presentations no later than 30 minutes prior to beginning of the session. Notes:

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