New Horizons in Neurological Diseases Therapies
The role of laryngeal EMG for unilateral vocal fold paralysis: assessment and treatment
Unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) is a common disorder that may cause glottal closure insufficiency resulting in hoarseness of voice. EMG is commonly performed in assessment of muscle weakness, for example, laryngeal EMG for TA muscle that will help physicians to localize muscles. I will present how to evaluate the stages of acute vs chronic, severity and possibly recovery of cord function. Furthermore, if the palsy does not recover spontaneously at the follow-up period, EMG-guided hyaluronic acid injection is recommended to make the closure insufficiency become more potent. During the speech, we will present the laryngeal EMG technique and our results for the guided-injection for the vocal cord palsy.
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Muthiah (Mano) Manoharan
Country : USA
Official Title : 博士
Department :
Institute : Senior Vice President of Drug Innovation, Alnyl-am Pharmaceuticals
Speaker CVSilence Disease and Amplify Life
Familial Amyloidotic Polyneuropathy (FAP) is a rare autosomal dominant inherited disorder that often unfolds as a family tragedy. Patients, usually in mid-life, begin with numbness, weakness, and autonomic dysfunction, gradually losing their ability to walk, work, and live independently. The disease does not stop at individuals—it affects generations, shadowing entire families with fear and despair. For decades, treatment options were extremely limited, and many lives were cut short by what seemed to be an unchangeable fate. The advent of patisiran has rewritten this narrative. As the world’s first clinically approved RNA interference (RNAi) therapy, patisiran silences the disease-causing gene at its source, preventing toxic protein buildup. Clinical evidence has shown not only stabilization but also meaningful improvement in patients’ strength, mobility, and quality of life. What was once thought impossible is now a reality: patients regaining independence and hope. This lecture will explore the burden and progression of FAP, trace the development of patisiran, and highlight the human stories behind the science. More than a scientific milestone, patisiran exemplifies a vision: by silencing disease, we can amplify life, dignity, and the future for families once destined to suffer.
Marcus Erdler
Country : Austria
Official Title : 醫師
Department :
Institute : Neurological Departement Clinic Donaustadt
Speaker CVFrom Molecule to Medicine: The Journey Behind the First Oral Therapy for SMA
Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a rare, progressive neuromuscular disorder with devastating impacts on motor function and quality of life. The development of Risdiplam, the first oral therapy for SMA, represents a landmark achievement in translating molecular science into meaningful patient outcomes. In this session, I will take the audience through the journey of Risdiplam — from the discovery of its unique mechanism of action, which modulates SMN2 pre-mRNA splicing to increase functional SMN protein production, to its integration into routine clinical practice. I will share real-world treatment experiences from my neurology clinic, highlighting patient selection, therapeutic responses across SMA types, and considerations in managing long-term therapy. Case examples will illustrate how Risdiplam has impacted motor function, daily living, and disease trajectory in both pediatric and adult patients. The talk will also address safety profile, treatment adherence advantages of oral administration, and practical insights on incorporating this therapy into multidisciplinary care. By combining molecular insights with clinical realities, I aim to provide a comprehensive view of how Risdiplam has transformed the treatment landscape and the lives of individuals living with SMA.
Advances in ALS genetics and emerging precision therapies
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a genetically and clinically heterogeneous disorder, with recent advances in molecular genetics enabling unprecedented opportunities for precision therapy. Over the past decade, our studies on 650 unrelated Taiwanese ALS patients have defined the local genetic spectrum, revealing variants in SOD1, TARDBP, FUS, C9ORF72, TBK1, CCNF, DNAJC7, and NEK1, as well as intermediate CAG repeat expansions in TBP and HTT. These findings underscore the population-specific features compared with Western cohorts, with implications for genetic diagnosis, counseling, and trial readiness. The translation of genetic discoveries into targeted interventions has accelerated in recent years. In Taiwan, we introduced the antisense oligonucleotide Tofersen for SOD1-ALS, achieving meaningful clinical benefit in a patient with a pathogenic mutation. We also initiated participation in the FUSION trial, which evaluates an ASO therapy targeting FUS mutations, and the first-in-human ALN-SOD1 RNA interference trial, expanding therapeutic options for genetically defined subgroups. This talk will review key advances in ALS genetics, highlight the unique Taiwanese landscape, and outline the development and clinical implementation of emerging precision therapies. Future directions for integrating genetic testing into routine ALS care, improving access to targeted interventions, and leveraging biomarkers for patient selection and treatment monitoring will also be discussed.
Revolutionary Laser Acu-puncture Therapy: A New Frontier in Chronic migraine
Chronic migraine (CM) is a leading cause of neurological disability worldwide, yet conventional preventive pharmacotherapies often achieve limited success, hindered by adverse effects, waning efficacy, and poor adherence. Laser acupuncture (LA), a non-invasive technique employing low-level photonic stimulation of traditional acupoints, represents an innovative therapeutic strategy that integrates the wisdom of traditional Chinese medicine with modern biomedical advances. A recent single-blind randomized controlled trial conducted at Taichung Veterans General Hospital enrolled 60 CM patients with unsatisfactory pharmacological outcomes. Participants receiving 810 nm LA demonstrated significant reductions in monthly migraine days and acute medication use compared to sham controls, with progressive benefits sustained over 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes, including reductions in headache severity, disability scores, and headache duration, further underscored the therapeutic impact. Crucially, no serious adverse events were observed, supporting LA’s favorable safety and tolerability profile. Mechanistic insights suggest LA may enhance matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) activity, facilitating degradation of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), while simultaneously promoting the restoration of qi flow within traditional acupuncture theory. These results position LA as a revolutionary frontier in CM management, offering a safe and effective complement to existing treatments. Larger, multicenter studies are warranted to validate long-term efficacy and establish its role in routine migraine care.
林恭平
Country : Taiwan
Official Title : 教授
Department :
Institute : 臺北榮民總醫院
陳韋達
Country : Taiwan
Official Title : 教授
Department :
Institute : 一森診所
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