International Myasthenia Gravis Conference Brings Together Experts Seeking Etiology and a Cure
Conference to take place at the New York Academy of Sciences on May 21-23, 2012.
Published May 11, 2012
NEW YORK, May 11, 2012—The New York Academy of Sciences and the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) will present the 12th International Conference on Myasthenia Gravis and Related Disorders on May 21-23, 2012 at the Academy's headquarters in New York City. The conference is designed to galvanize efforts among researchers studying autoimmune and neuromuscular junction disease and to encourage continued progress in the diagnosis and treatment of Myasthenia Gravis (MG)—a rare, acquired autoimmune syndrome that leads to severe muscle weakness, fatigability, and disability, which may be life threatening.
Conference organizers have focused on bringing together leading clinicians and researchers to accelerate change in the field of MG and similar autoimmune disorders. "In the 60 years that MGFA has been sponsoring these meetings we have seen a lot of change. Progress has been made in understanding MG, specifically in the fields of diagnostics and treatment," says Samuel Schulhof, chair of the MGFA. "The real challenge lies ahead, identifying and understanding the causes and finding the cure."
This three-day conference will feature experts in topic areas that span basic, translational, and clinical neuroscience and immunology related to MG and other autoimmune and neuromuscular junction disorders.
"We have organized the meeting somewhat differently than in the past so that there is a mix of basic and clinical topics on each of the three days of the conference. In addition, the conference will hold what we have designed to be two lively poster sessions, with short talks at each poster session highlighting more notable developments in the field that will profile the work of younger investigators," says conference organizer Gil Wolfe, MD, SUNY Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. "Not only should the conference be an excellent venue for imparting knowledge, but it should also provide ample opportunity for networking between investigators, both young and more established."
To more fully incorporate the work of young investigators into the conference, the MGFA has sponsored travel fellowships for five young MG researchers from around the world. Winners were chosen based on their application materials and abstract submissions. Each winner will receive waived conference registration and $1,000 towards their travel and accommodation expenses to attend the conference.
For more information on the topics, speakers, and travel logistics of the conference, please visit www.nyas.org/MG12.
Media must RSVP to Diana Friedman: dfriedman@nyas.org or 212.298.8645.
About the New York Academy of Sciences
The New York Academy of Sciences is an independent, not-for-profit organization that since 1817 has been committed to advancing science, technology, and society worldwide. With 25,000 members in 140 countries, the Academy is creating a global community of science for the benefit of humanity. The Academy's core mission is to advance scientific knowledge, positively impact the major global challenges of society with science-based solutions, and increase the number of scientifically informed individuals in society at large. Please visit us online at www.nyas.org.