The most important scientific event about neuroimmunology, the 8th Greek Conference of the Hellenic Academy of Neuroimmunology, will take place on 16-19 December 2021 at the “Macedonia Palace” hotel in Thessaloniki. The opening ceremony is on 16 December, at 18.30, including an address by Professor Nikolaos G. Papaioannou, Rector of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

The conference will present the latest developments in research, diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune diseases such as MS, Autoimmune Polyneuropathy, Paraneoplastic syndromes etc. Special emphasis will be given on the impact of COVID-19 on the nervous system, as mediated by immune mechanisms, and on the role of vaccination for the protection of patients. Also, research programme developed by the Academy under the aegis of the Ministry of Health, for online health services to MS patients will be presented. Thus, distance services through online cooperation with physicians and primary health care will be provided to persons with mobility difficulties. “Recent experience with the pandemic highlighted the problems for MS patients and the creation of such a network became imperative”, noted Professor of Neurology Nikos Grigoriadis, head of the Second Neurological Clinic of the Aristotle University. The Clinic, in cooperation with other research centers in Greece and abroad, published a study revealing the real number of MS patients in Greece, over 21,000, which is more than double the previous calculations. The study won an award by MENACTRIMS-Middle East and North Africa Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis on 10 December 2021.

More information about the study: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2020.01012/full

More information about the conference: www.helani.gr