Press and Media
View the latest AANEM Achievement Award winners, the American Neuromuscular Foundation (ANF) Abstract Award winners, and the latest AANEM news articles on News Express.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When will be content of abstracts be viewable, as opposed to just the titles?
A: The abstract content will be available at the annual meeting during the Poster Hall hours. We do not provide abstract presenter information or slides ahead of time. All available information can be found in the AANEM Abstract Guide online when it becomes available.
Q: How do I reach out to abstract or session presenters for an interview?
A: We do not offer member contact information. To connect with abstract or session presenters, review the AANEM Annual Meeting Program when available. Find the topics of interest and connect with the presenter after their lecture or during their abstract poster session time. Currently there is no interview option for virtual attendees.
Q: When can I share information?
A: The embargo on the abstracts themselves is lifted when they have been published in Muscle & Nerve and online in the AANEM Abstract Guide. However, the additional information beyond what is in the abstract itself is still embargoed.
AANEM requires information that goes beyond that which is contained within the abstract, e.g., the release of data not included in the abstract, discussion of the abstract done as part of a scientific presentation, etc. to be embargoed until the start of the annual meeting. Please see the Abstract Embargo Policy.
Q: Will the Abstract Award Reception feature the best posters?
A: The Abstract Award Reception is a social hour in honor of the abstract award winners where all authors, including award winners, will be available to discuss research.
Q: Original research is ONLY presented as posters, correct?
A: Yes - the research is presented in the Poster Hall via abstract posters.
Patient Safety: Complement inhibitors in treatment of myasthenia gravis
From the Quality and Patient Safety Committee
39-year-old woman is evaluated for increased weakness, shortness of breath and difficulty swallowing. Three years ago, she developed diplopia and excessive fatigue and was diagnosed with anti-AchR-seropositive generalized myasthenia gravis treated initially with pyridostigmine 60 mg tid and prednisone up to 60 mg qd due to increased weakness. This was followed by additions of azathioprine up to 150 mg qd, and was then switched to mycophenolate up to 1500 mg bid due to poor efficacy. Intravenous immunoglobulins were not effective. Despite attempts to control the disease she had 4 hospital admissions with exacerbations of myasthenia gravis. Due to refractoriness of myasthenia gravis, treatment with complement inhibitors was recommended.
Question: Prior to starting treatment with complement inhibitors, the patient will have to complete following?
A. Hepatitis B vaccination
B. HIV serology
C. Meningococcal vaccination
D. Quantiferon testing
Explanation:
Correct answer: 3. Meningococcal vaccination.
Complement inhibitors are used for treatment of anti-AChR-seropositive generalized myasthenia gravis and other complement-mediated neurologic disorders like neuromyelitis optica (NMO). Complement inhibition is not used in treatment of anti-MuSK and seronegative myasthenia gravis, as anti-MuSK antibodies do not activate complement cascade. Currently, three FDA-approved complement inhibitors include eculizumab, ravulizumab and Zilucoplan, and other medications may follow.
Complement inhibition is associated with a greatly increased risk of potentially fatal meningococcal infections (1,000 to 2,000-fold) as is infection with other encapsulated organisms.
Meningococcal vaccination is a mandatory step and recent guideline requires that the patient complete primary vaccination schedule for both MenACWY and Men B . Enrollment of prescribing practitioners in the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) programs is strongly recommended by FDA. Meningococcal vaccination must include both quadrivalent (MenACWY) and Men B vaccines. If treatment with complement inhibitors is continued, booster revaccinations are required after several years (MenACWY every 5 years; MenB 1 year after initial series, then every 2-3 years). As vaccination does not eliminate the risk of infection with meningococci, continued alertness is required.
There is also an increased risk of infections with other encapsulated organisms as well (e.g. Haemophilus influenzae, Strep. pneumoniae), but additional vaccinations are not required.
Authors: Sasha Zivkovic, MD, PhD; Urvi Desai, MD
Sources:
- Mbaeyi S et al. Meningococcal Vaccination: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, United States,2020. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2020 Sep 25;69(9):1-41. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.rr6909a1. PMID: 33417592. DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.rr6909a1.
- Suh J et al. Safety and outcomes of eculizumab for acetylcholine receptor-positive generalized myasthenia gravis in clinical practice. Muscle Nerve. 2022 Sep;66(3):348-353. doi: 10.1002/mus.27656. Epub 2022 Jun 27. PMID: 35684980
- Narayanaswami P et al . International Consensus Guidance for Management of Myasthenia Gravis: 2020 Update. Neurology. 2021 Jan 19;96(3):114-122. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000011124. Epub 2020 Nov 3.PMID: 3314451.