From Imaging to Innovation: Miami Neuroscience Symposium’s Impact on Modern Neurological Care

Michael McDermott, MD

From November 7-8th, Baptist Health will host its 12th Annual Miami Neuroscience Symposium, a unique opportunity for medical professionals dedicated to neuroscience to gather, share, and expand their knowledge on the latest advancements. This symposium offers a thorough curriculum focusing on innovative, evidence-based approaches to both acute and rehabilitative patient care across the neuroscience field. Guided by distinguished faculty, attendees will engage with detailed case studies and discuss pioneering treatment methodologies designed to improve patient outcomes.

Participants can expect an intensive exploration of new research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and hands-on clinical skill enhancement. From topics like AI’s role in neuroscience to emergency neurocritical care and management of movement disorders, the symposium will facilitate an exchange of ideas among neurologists, neurosurgeons, intensive care physicians, and other professionals involved in complex neuroscience care. Networking opportunities and dedicated sessions will provide practical insights for direct application to clinical practice.

Prior to the event, Michael McDermott, MD, chief medical executive at Baptist Health Miami Neuroscience Institute, provided some clinical insight on what neurologists can expect from the meeting. He discussed the symposium’s role in keeping professionals across neurosurgery, neurology, and neuro-interventional radiology current with the latest advancements. In addition, the clinician also provided insight on emerging research in neurocognitive disorders, especially the potential of blood biomarkers in early Alzheimer disease detection and tracking, which may revolutionize diagnostic practices.

Notably, McDermott was recently named the most-published author of papers on meningioma research in the study Bibliometric Analysis of Meningiomas from 2001 to 2023: Focus on the Top 100 Most Cited Papers," published in World Neurosurgery, and third on Highly Ranked Scholars’ meningioma list of the “most productive (number of publications) authors whose works are of profound impact (citations) and of utmost quality (h-index)” in a 5-year period.

NeurologyLive: What are the greatest advantages to the Miami Neuroscience Symposium? What can clinicians gain from it?

Michael McDermott, MD: Miami Neuroscience Symposium offers an update on the latest developments in clinical neuroscience from neurosurgery, neurology, physical medicine and rehabilitation neuro-interventional radiology, neuroradiology, acute rehabilitation, and clinical neuroscience nursing.Clinicians and nurses within their division will be Up to date with the latest advances in their fields.In addition, they will be able to interact with their colleagues on a one-to-one basis and visit medical vendors who will also be displaying the latest technology, medications, and developments in imaging.

How do the topics covered speak to where we are in teaching neurosurgery/neurology?

The divisions of neurosurgery and neurology are gearing up for residency program training in their specialties.We have an aggressive recruitment for neurology and the neurology residency program starts in July 2025.With 4 spots per year this year we had over 780 applications indicating a strong desire for the neurologist in the future to be trained in a multidisciplinary group.Neurosurgery will begin his residency training in 2028 with 1 resident per year and we also are anticipating a strong competition for the spot based on the quality of the surgeons and the breadth of surgical practice that we have here at Miami Neuroscience Institute.

How has the approach and detection of patients who are appropriate for neurosurgical approaches improved over the past decade?

The biggest change over the past decade in the detection of neurosurgical problems relates to improved access to MR imaging.In the past CT scans were routinely done for minor injuries or symptoms but the availability of more sensitive and specific imaging with magnetic resonance was not routinely available.This however has changed.The diagnostic specificity is improved by MR imaging as well as follow-up.All conditions diagnosed by imaging do not require treatment unless they correlate with the patient's clinical history and physical signs.We aim to provide treatment that improves the patient's quality of life from evidence-based guidelines for surgical treatment.

Are there any emerging types of research that covers the identification and management of neurocognitive disorders?

There is an anticipated "tidal wave" of neurocognitive disorders that will become clinically relevant due to the aging population, particularly in self-Florida.Specialists in memory and aging are providing access to diagnosis and treatment for patients within the spectrum from mild cognitive impairment to frank dementia.Recent publications indicate that a simple blood test is sensitive and specific for detecting the earliest phases of Alzheimer's disease.This may replace more costly positron emission tomography if clinical studies validate the sensitivity and specificity between NT beta-amyloid and antitau antibody pet imaging studies and pTAU217 blood results.Blood test results may also prove useful for tracking the progression of the disease as well as neuropsychological testing.We also have the availability of assessing the human connect home with resting state functional MR in the Miami Neuroscience Institute which was one of the first specialty centers with access to this technology.We are also excited to be participating in upcoming clinical trials for patients with Alzheimer's disease including intraventricular injection of autologous mesenchymal stem cells and low-dose external beam radiotherapy.This will supplement our current clinical trial and use low-intensity focused ultrasound for patients with confirmed Alzheimer's disease.

Transcript edited for clarity.

REFERENCE
1. Trailblazer in Meningioma Research and Most-Published Author in the Field. News release. Baptist Health. October 3, 2024. Accessed November 5, 2024. https://physicianresources.baptisthealth.net/news/trailblazer-in-meningioma-research-and-most-published-author-in-the-field