1113. Acute Treatments and Rare Neuroimmune Disorders

Krissy Dilger of SRNA was joined by Drs. John J. Chen and Elias
S. Sotirchos for an “Ask the Expert” podcast episode titled
“Acute Treatments and Rare Neuroimmune Disorders.” The experts
began by providing an overview of treatments for an acute
demyelinating attack and how they are administered. They also
discussed side effects, safety concerns, and the decision process
for escalation. Finally, the experts shared age considerations
and upcoming research.





John Chen, MD, PhD attended the University of Virginia for his
undergraduate and combined MD/PhD degrees. He completed his
Ophthalmology residency and Neuro-Ophthalmology fellowship
training at the University of Iowa. He then took a position at
the Mayo Clinic in 2014 where he specializes in
Neuro-Ophthalmology. Currently, he serves as a Consultant and
Professor of Ophthalmology and Neurology, and Neuro-Ophthalmology
Fellowship Director at the Mayo Clinic. Among Dr. Chen’s
awards/honors are the AAO Achievement Award, resident and fellow
teaching awards at the University of Iowa, Ophthalmology Teacher
of the Year Award three times at the Mayo Clinic, 2023 Mayo
Clinic Distinguished Educator Award, Top Doctors in Minnesota,
and the Heed Fellowship. He is a board member for the North
American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society and is on multiple
committees for the AAO, co-chairs the Upper Midwest
Neuro-Ophthalmology Group, is a member of the American
Ophthalmological Society and American Eye Study Club, previously
served as the President for the Minnesota Academy of
Ophthalmology and participated in the AAO and AUPO Leadership
Development Programs. He has over 200 peer-reviewed publications,
has received several research awards, and is currently RO1 funded
through the NIH. He has given over 200 oral presentations,
including multiple named lectureships, and visiting
professorships, on his interests in ophthalmic imaging,
idiopathic intracranial hypertension, and optic neuritis,
especially NMOSD and MOG antibody-associated disease.





Elias Sotirchos, MD is a neurologist at Johns Hopkins Hospital in
Baltimore, Maryland. He specializes in the diagnosis, management,
and treatment of neuroimmunological disorders that involve the
central nervous system, including multiple sclerosis (MS),
neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), and myelin
oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-immunoglobulin G
(MOG-IgG)-associated disorder (MOGAD). His research focuses on
developing and validating novel imaging and blood-based
biomarkers of these conditions, and clinical trials of
experimental therapeutic agents.