2025 Clinical Neurophysiology Multidisciplinary Course

Overview

Please join UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery for the 2025 Clinical Neurophysiology Multidisciplinary Course happening September 26 to 27, 2025. This advanced clinical neurophysiology course designed to enhance your practical skills and diagnostic confidence across three critical domains: EEG & Epilepsy, Intraoperative Neuromonitoring (IONM), and Nerve Conduction & Neuromuscular Disorders.

Learning Objectives

EEG + Epilepsy Track
This track equips participants with the tools to interpret EEG findings using standardized terminology, apply current seizure and epilepsy classification systems, and recognize candidates for surgical or device-based interventions. Special emphasis is placed on evidence-based safety counseling and the nuanced use of EEG in critical care environments.

Key Takeaways:

• Accurate EEG interpretation for ictal and interictal events

• Integration of modern epilepsy classifications into care decisions

• Identification of medication-resistant epilepsy

• Counseling patients on SUDEP, driving, and pregnancy risks

• Best practices for ICU EEG monitoring and brain death assessment

Intraoperative Neuromonitoring (IONM) Track
Focused on surgical safety and neurologic preservation, this track offers in-depth training in the application and interpretation of intraoperative neuromonitoring. Participants will learn advanced techniques such as SEEG, CCEP, and TcMEP, and gain hands-on experience with electrode placement and signal troubleshooting.

Key Takeaways:

• Use of real-time IONM data to guide surgical decisions

• Multidisciplinary communication protocols for the OR

• Advanced monitoring and electrode placement techniques

• Strategies to interpret and respond to critical signal changes

Nerve Conduction + Neuromuscular Disorders Track
This track develops proficiency in electrodiagnostic testing and its application to complex neuromuscular conditions. Attendees will deepen their understanding of disease-specific patterns, master the nuances of autonomic and advanced neuromuscular testing, and explore strategies for high-quality care in diverse clinical environments.

Key Takeaways:

• Differentiation of neuropathy types via NCS/EMG

• Diagnostic pattern recognition in neuromuscular disease

• Integration of autonomic testing in evaluations

• Collaboration with technologists for lab efficiency

• Approaches to care in underserved or complex settings

Program

DAY 1: Friday Sept 26th 2025 – EEG + Epilepsy Track

7:00–7:50am: Breakfast

7:50–8:00am: Welcome Address / Day 1 Announcements (Alexandra Urban, MD or Anto Bagić, MD, PhD)

8:00–8:40am: Lecture: Introduction to Epileptology, with Classification of Seizures and Epilepsies (Anto Bagić, MD, PhD)

8:40–9:20am: Lecture: Semiology, Lateralizing and Localizing Signs of Seizures (Alexandra Urban, MD)

9:20–9:35am: Lecture: Let’s Talk about SUDEP! (Vijayalakshmi Rajasekaran, MD)

9:35–9:50am: Q&A Session: (Anto Bagić, MD, PhD; Alexandra Urban, MD; TBD; Vijayalakshmi Rajasekaran, MD)

9:50–10:05am: Break (15 minutes)

10:05–10:35am: Lecture: Functional Seizures and Other Mimickers of Epilepsy (Wesley Kerr, MD, PhD)

10:35–11:05am: Lecture: Psychiatric Comorbidities of Epilepsy (Alex Israel, MD)

11:05–11:20am: Lecture: Driving and Epilepsy (Mohammad Abualia, MD)

11:20–11:30am: Q&A Session: (Wesley Kerr, MD, PhD; Alex Israel, MD; Mohammad Abualia, MD)

11:30–12:15pm: Lunch (45 minutes)

12:15–1:00pm: FEATURED GUEST PRESENTATION: Practical Aspects of Epilepsy Genetics (Elizabeth E. Gerard, MD)

1:00–1:45pm: Lecture: Introduction to Antiseizure Medications (Shobhit Singla, MD, PhD)

1:45–2:10pm: Lecture: New Onset Seizure through Cases: To Treat or Not to Treat? (Rahiwa Gebre, MD)

2:10–2:35pm: Lecture: Epilepsy Treatment in Pregnancy and Outcomes (Denise Li, MD)

2:35‒3:00pm: Lecture: Medication Resistant Epilepsy (MRE) (Carolina Cuello Oderiz, MD)

3:00–3:15pm: Q&A Session: (Shobhit Singla, MD, PhD; Rahiwa Gebre, MD; Denise Li, MD; Carolina Cuello Oderiz, MD)

3:15–3:30pm: Break (15 minutes)

3:30–4:00pm: Lecture: What Makes Surgery the Preferred Treatment Choice for MRE? (Jorge Gonzalez-Matinez, MD, PhD)

4:00–4:15pm: Lecture: Success Stories when Resection is not an option: VNS (Anto Bagić, MD, PhD)

4:15–4:30pm: Lecture: Success Stories when Resection is not an option: DBS (Thandar Aung, MD, MS)

4:30–4:45pm: Lecture: Success Stories when Resection is not an option: RNS (Alexandra Urban, MD)

4:45–5:00pm: Q&A Session: (Jorge Gonzalez-Matinez, MD, PhD; Anto Bagić, MD, PhD; Thandar Aung, MD, MS; Alexandra Urban, MD)

5:00pm: Adjournment Day 1

5:30–7:00pm: Meet and Greet – Hilton Garden Inn
 

DAY 2: Saturday Sept 27th 2025 – EEG + Epilepsy Track

7:00–7:50am: Breakfast

7:50–8:00am: Welcome Address / Day 2 Announcements (Alexandra Urban, MD or Anto Bagić, MD, PhD)

8:00–8:20am: Lecture: Electrophysiologic Underpinnings of Interictal Epileptiform Discharges (James Castellano, MD, PhD)

8:20–8:35am: Lecture: Introduction to the International 10-20 System of Electrode Placement (Cheryl Plummer, BS, R. EEG T., NA-CLTM)

8:35–8:50am: Lecture: Good Clinical Practice in Troubleshooting EEG (Maisie Ruble, BS, R. EEG T.)

8:50–9:05am: Lecture: EEG Recording to Confirm Brain Death (Mick Heim, BS, R. EEG T.)

9:05–9:20am: Q&A Session: (James Castellano, MD, PhD; Cheryl Plummer, BS, R. EEG T., NA-CLTM; Mick Heim, BS, R. EEG T.)

9:20–9:35am: Break (15 minutes)

9:35–10:05am: Lecture: Normal Mature EEG and Its Variants (Joseph Ta, MD)

10:05–10:25am: Lecture: Interictal Epileptiform Patterns (Rahiwa Gebre, MD)

10:25–10:55am: Lecture: Common Ictal Patterns (Vijayalakshmi Rajasekaran, MD)

10:55–11:05am: Q&A Session: (Joseph Ta, MD; Rahiwa Gebre, MD; Vijayalakshmi Rajasekaran, MD)

11:05–11:35am: Lecture: EEG Maturation from Birth to Adolescence (Meghan Mack, MD)

11:35–12:20pm: Lunch (45 minutes)

12:20–1:05pm: Lecture: Electro-Clinical Aspects of Selected Pediatric Syndromes (Ruba Al-Ramadhani, MD)

1:05–1:20pm: Q&A Session: (Meghan Mack, MD; Ruba Al-Ramadhani, MD)

1:20–1:50pm: Lecture: ACNS Standardized ICU EEG Nomenclatures (Joanna Fong-Isariyawongse, MD)

1:50–2:20pm: Lecture: Critical Care EEG Case Presentations (Pat Lordeon, R. EEG T.)

2:20–2:35pm: Q&A Session: (Joanna Fong-Isariyawongse, MD; Pat Lordeon, R. EEG T.)

2:35–2:50pm: Break (15 minutes)

2:50–3:30pm: Lecture: Neuroimaging in Epilepsy (Joseph Mettenburg, MD, PhD)

3:30–4:00pm: Lecture: Clinical Role of MEG in Reversing Underutilization of Epilepsy Surgery (Anto Bagić, MD, PhD)

4:00–4:30pm: Lecture: Practical Treatment of Status Epilepticus (Michael E. Resnick, MD)

4:30–4:45pm: Q&A Session: (Joseph Mettenburg, MD, PhD; Anto Bagić, MD, PhD; Michael E. Resnick, MD)

4:45pm: Course Adjournment

DAY 1: Friday Sept 26th Advances in Intraoperative Neuromonitoring Track

7:00–7:50am:        Breakfast

7:50–8:00am:    Welcome Address / Day 1 Announcements (Partha Thirumala MD, R. Joshua Sunderlin, MS, CNIM

8:00–8:30am:    Lecture: Brain tumor initial diagnosis and patient assessment (Kalil Abdullah, MD)

8:30–9:00am:    Lecture: Pediatric Brain tumor procedures and IONM (Cody Nesvick, MD)

9:00–9:30am:    Lecture:  Pediatric Spinal tumor procedures and IONM (Robert Kellog, MD)

9:30-9:50am:    Lecture: Practical Troubleshooting in Tumor Procedures (R. Joshua Sunderlin, MS, CNIM)

9:50–10:05am:  Break (15 minutes) 

10:05–11:05am: KEYNOTE:  Introduction to Cortico-Cortico Evoked Potentials (CCEP) (Riki Matsumoto, MD) 

11:05–11:30am:  Lecture: SEEG/CCEP and Clinical Outcomes (Jorge Gonzalez-Martinez, MD, PhD)

11:30–12:15pm   Lunch (45 minutes)

12:15–1:00pm    Interactive Case Studies: SEEG/CCEP (Thandar Aung, MD; Andrew Moyer, CNIM)

1:00–1:30pm      Lecture: Neuropsychology testing prior to awake craniotomy (Natalie Sherry, PsyD) 

1:30–2:00pm      Lecture: Awake Craniotomy with ECOG (Brin Freund, MD)

2:00–2:45pm      Interactive Case Studies: Awake Craniotomy procedures (Pascal Zinn, MD; Jeffrey Balzer, PhD; and Natalie Sherry, PsyD)

2:45-3:15pm       Lecture: VEP in craniotomy procedures (Katherine Anetakis, MD)

3:15–3:30pm      Break (15 minutes)     

3:30–4:15pm     Interactive Case studies: Spinal tumor procedures (Lindsay Bhandari, MD Allyson Eismont, CNIM )

4:15–5:00pm     Lecture: STARD and Safety aspects of IONM (Jeffrey Balzer, PhD)

5:00pm              Adjournment Day 1 

5:30–730pm      Meet and Greet - Hilton Garden Inn 

DAY 2: Saturday Sept 27th Advances in Intraoperative Neuromonitoring Track

7:00–7:50am:    Breakfast

7:50–8:00am:    Welcome Address Day 2 – Katherine Anetakis; R. Joshua Sunderlin, MS, CNIM

8:00–8:20am:    Lecture: Mapping vs monitoring in tumor procedures (Partha Thirumala, MD)

8:20–8:40am:     Lecture: Advanced neuroimaging and IONM for tumors near motor tracts (Constantinos Hadjipanayis, MD, PhD)

8:40–9:20am:    Interactive Case Studies: Utilizing IONM for mapping in craniotomy procedures under anesthesia (R. Joshua Sunderlin, MS, CNIM)

9:20–9:35am:     Break (15 minutes) 

9:35–10:35am:   KEYNOTE: Motor control and Cortical Reorganization (Peter Strick, PhD)

10:35–11:05am:  Interactive Case Studies: TcMEP for Craniotomy for tumor procedures (Ben Lee, MD, Shane Gordon, CNIM)

11:05–11:35am:   Lecture: CPA tumor and Brainstem auditory evoked potentials (Georgios Zenonos, MD)

11:35–12:20pm:   Lunch (45 minutes)

12:20–12:50pm:   Lecture: Skull Base Procedures with Cranial Nerve EMG (Paul Gardner, MD)    

12:50–1:20pm:    Lecture: Extraocular Cranial Nerve EMG (Tatsuya Oishi, MD)

1:20–1:30pm:       Workshop: Cadaver lab – Safety briefing, overview of working with human specimens, and examination (Josh Sunderlin, MS, CNIM)  

1:30–4:15pm:       Workshop: Cadaver lab – Placing electrodes for craniotomy procedures and cranial nerve EMG (Rachel Mihal, CNIM; Partha Thirumala, MD) 

4:15pm                 Course Adjournment     

September 26th Nerve Conduction Velocity and Neuromuscular Disorders Track
(Only one day of lectures in this track)

7:00–7:50am:     Breakfast

7:50-8:00am:     Morning Announcements – Dreux Priore MHA, R. EEG T., R. NCS T, Josh Smith, DO

8:00–8:45am:     Lecture: Introduction to EMG and NCS – Josh Smith, DO

8:45–9:15am:     Lecture: Brachial Plexopathy – Michael Munin, MD

9:15–9:50am:     Good Catch Case Study: LEMS with MG: RNS, SFEMG, and Serology - Fang Sun, MD, PhD, and Austin Rice, R.NCS T.

9:50–10:05am:     MORNING BREAK (15 minutes)

10:05–10:45am:     Lecture: Street Medicine, EMG, and outcomes - Max B. Hurwitz, DO

10:45–11:30am:     Lecture: Myopathy – Paula R. Clemens, MD

11:30–12:15pm:     LUNCH (45 minutes)

12:15–1:00pm:       Good Catch Case Study: Kennedy’s Disease with ALS/Mimics - Tawfiq Al-Lahham, MD, and Graeme Meyer, R. NCS T.

1:00–2:00pm:         KEYNOTE: Jeffrey A. Strakowski, MD

2:00–2:30pm:         Panel Discussion: Technical Hurdles in the EMG Lab and ICU - Alexandria Sadasivan, MD and Technologists

2:30–3:15pm:         Lecture: Axonal vs. Demyelinating PPN - Jonathan Brent, MD, PhD

3:15–3:30pm:         AFTERNOON BREAK (15 minutes)

3:30–4:15pm:         Lecture: Autonomic Testing and Small Fiber Neuropathy – Josh Smith, DO

4:15pm:                  Adjournment Day 1 

5:30–730pm:          Meet and Greet - Hilton Garden Inn