Proceedings from the Neurotherapeutics Symposium on Neurological Emergencies: Shaping the Future of Neurocritical Care

Abstract

Effective treatment options for patients with life-threatening neurological disorders are limited. To address this unmet need, high-impact translational research is essential for the advancement and development of novel therapeutic approaches in neurocritical care. “The Neurotherapeutics Symposium 2019—Neurological Emergencies” conference, held in Rochester, New York, in June 2019, was designed to accelerate translation of neurocritical care research via transdisciplinary team science and diversity enhancement. Diversity excellence in the neuroscience workforce brings innovative and creative perspectives, and team science broadens the scientific approach by incorporating views from multiple stakeholders. Both are essential components needed to address complex scientific questions. Under represented minorities and women were involved in the organization of the conference and accounted for 30–40% of speakers, moderators, and attendees. Participants represented a diverse group of stakeholders committed to translational research. Topics discussed at the conference included acute ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes, neurogenic respiratory dysregulation, seizures and status epilepticus, brain telemetry, neuroprognostication, disorders of consciousness, and multimodal monitoring. In these proceedings, we summarize the topics covered at the conference and suggest the groundwork for future high-yield research in neurologic emergencies.

Seven Strategies to Integrate Equity within Translational Research in Neurology

“…These symposia are designed to attract, support, mentor, and facilitate long-lasting relationships between trainees, and junior and established investigators from historically marginalized populations. 72 The Neurotherapeutics Symposium 2022: Integrating Equity within Translational Research was funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke of the NIH (R13 NS127635-01A1), as well as the following industry partners: Genentech, Biogen, Sanofi Genzyme, and Alexion. K.C.J.…”

“…The series of Neurotherapeutics Symposia began in 2018 as part of the Training Program in Experimental Therapeutics of Neurological Disease funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke of the NIH (T32 NS007338‐34). These symposia are designed to attract, support, mentor, and facilitate long‐lasting relationships between trainees, and junior and established investigators from historically marginalized populations 72 . The Neurotherapeutics Symposium 2022: Integrating Equity within Translational Research was funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke of the NIH (R13 NS127635‐01A1), as well as the following industry partners: Genentech, Biogen, Sanofi Genzyme, and Alexion.…”

How I do a brain death examination: the tools of the trade

“…Next is the apnea test. Keep it simple [ 7 ]. Review the chest X-ray and blood gas and pre-oxygenate to PaO 2 > 200 mmHg.…”

“…Conventionally, time of death is the time of the second blood gas result. Complications, usually minor with good preparation, become major with bad or non-standard preparation [ 7 – 10 ]. Our decades-long experience with this oxygen diffusion technique has been safe and aborted in only 3% of 212 tests [ 9 ].…”