Medicina Webinar | Challenges In The Clinical Practice Of Multiple Sclerosis
the chair
Women are up to three times more likely than males to develop multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic immune-mediated, inflammatory, and degenerative disease of the central nervous system. It was recommended that women with multiple sclerosis refrain from getting pregnant around fifty years ago. Since then, epidemiological studies have provided evidence that pregnancies have no effect on the course of the disease and that a mother’s MS condition has no detrimental effects on the development of her child. For women with MS, there are other unknowns to take into account, such as the possibility that their capacity to care for their children may be impacted by acute relapses and incapacity in the future. MS immunotherapies and medical knowledge about pregnancy and fertility are always changing, but treatment recommendations in this field should also be updated and altered on a regular basis. A multidisciplinary approach to MS is essential since, crucially, the longevity of individuals with MS is growing. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) may be linked to MS; however, this connection has received little attention. Additionally, MS patients have a greater frequency of cardiovascular risk factors. However, diseases such as Takotsubo syndrome are uncommon side effects of multiple sclerosis. It is also intriguing how myocarditis and MS are similar. Last but not least, heart toxicity is a common side effect of MS medications. This webinar's objective is to present an update on pregnancy-related concerns for women with MS, including suggestions for counseling, general care, the use of DMTs before, during, and after pregnancy, and DMTs' effects on nursing. In order to stimulate more clinical and pre-clinical research on the subject, the second section of this webinar attempts to give an overview of cardiovascular problems in MS and how they are managed.
Date: 20 May, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM CEST | 7:00 PM EEDT
Webinar ID: 827 6230 9752
Webinar Secretariat: journal.webinar@mdpi.com
Meet the Event Chair
Meet Our Speakers
Dr. GABRIELA MIHĂILESCU
NEUROLOGIE, BUCHAREST, ROMANIA;
Dr. Gabriela Mihăilescu MD, PhD, is a principal neurologist in Bucharest, Romania. She graduated from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila” in Bucharest, with a degree in medicine.
Over the course of more than three decades, Dr. Mihăilescu evolved from an enthusiastic intern to an experienced clinician. Her professional journey includes numerous roles, ranging from clinical, academic, and research activities in the Neurology Department of the Colentina Clinical Hospital in Bucharest, to starting up and leading the Neurology Department of the Enayati Medical City Hospital. She is now leading her own private neurology practice, CMI Dr. Mihăilescu N. Gabriela Neurologie.
In her 25-year-long academic career, Dr. Gabriela Mihăilescu served as a university assistant and later as a university lecturer at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, Bucharest. She has participated in numerous continuing education courses and scientific conferences and congresses, solidifying her knowledge and skills in various fields of neurology, having a special interest for multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and movement disorders, and headache.
In addition to her academic and clinical achievements, Dr. Mihăilescu is the author of over 230 articles, posters, and presentations and has collaborated on medical themes with radio and TV. She is also the author of three books and has contributed to neurology manuals, sharing her knowledge and experience with colleagues and students.
Dr. Gabriela Mihăilescu is an active member of national and international professional societies, participating in the organization of congresses, conferences, and teaching courses. At these events, she has often been invited as speaker or to chair sessions and share her expertise in neurology.
In her personal life, Dr. Mihăilescu is passionate about science, traveling, and the arts.
Dr. Elias Gialafos
Department of Neurology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.;
Elias Gialafos received his medical degree from the Medical School of the Szent-Gyorgyi Albert University in Hungary in 1995. Between 1996 and 2007, he served in the Field Service in Kalymnos, completed his military service, and completed his specialization (Cardiology) at the LAIKOS Hospital. In 2011 and 2012, he underwent further training (clinical and research) at the HEART Hospital of UCL in London, focusing on the subject of Cardiomyopathies. Since 2013, he has held the position of Special Consultant in Cardiology at Aiginiteio Hospital (Psychiatric and Neurological Clinic); at the same time, he is a scientific associate at various university clinics, focusing on cardiomyopathies in systemic diseases. Since 2018, he has been a Senior Lecturer at the Medical School of the University of Athens. Mr. Gialafos is a reviewer for >20 international scientific journals, has published >100 original scientific publications in international journals, and has >2000 citations in Scopus and an H-index > 30.
Sponsors and Partners
Organizer
We are grateful to organized the successful webinar entitled:''Challenges in the Clinical Practice of Multiple Sclerosis'' with esteemed guest speakers Dr Gabriela Mihailescu and Dr Elias Gialafos.Dr Gabriela Mihailescu updated the clinical guidelines on pregnancy and post partum period for women with MS. Dr Elias Gialafos covered insights from studies linking key inflammation to autoimmune mechanisms underlying cardiological dysfunction in MS, and the impact of environmental factors in cardiovascular disease pathogenesis. Overall, their lectures offered a comprehensive look at how pregnancy and cardiological issues are challenges for MS and potential therapeutic strategies.
The webinar was hosted via Zoom and required registration to attend. The full recording can be found below. In order to learn about future webinars, you can sign up to our newsletter by clicking “Subscribe” at the top of the page.