Dates: April 18-22, 2026
Location: McCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois, USA
Organizer: American Academy of Neurology
Website: aanannualmeeting.com
The plenary sessions at AAN 2026 represent the centerpiece of the conference, featuring invited presentations from world-leading researchers on the most significant advances in neurology. These sessions provide comprehensive updates across all neurological subspecialties[@aan2026program].
Theme: "The Future of Neurology: Translating Science into Practice"
The opening plenary session sets the stage for AAN 2026:
- Precision Medicine in Neurology: Personalized treatment approaches
- Biomarker Integration: How biomarkers are transforming clinical practice
- Global Neurology: Access and equity in neurological care
- AI in Neurology: Machine learning applications
Theme: "Neurodegeneration: New Frontiers in Disease Modification"
The Monday plenary focuses on progress in neurodegenerative disease therapeutics:
- Anti-Amyloid Therapies: Clinical implementation of approved antibodies
- Biomarker-Guided Treatment: Precision medicine approaches
- Pipeline Landscape: Therapies in clinical development
- Combination Strategies: Multi-target approaches
Theme: "Understanding the Brain: From Mechanisms to Therapies"
The keynote address provides an integrative view of neurological disease:
- Molecular Mechanisms: Protein aggregation and neurodegeneration
- Neuroimmune Interactions: Inflammation and neural dysfunction
- Cellular Therapies: Stem cell and gene therapy approaches
- Network Neuroscience: Systems-level understanding
Theme: "The Next Generation of Neurological Treatments"
The closing plenary looks forward to the future:
- Gene Therapy: AAV and CRISPR approaches
- RNA Therapeutics: Antisense and siRNA
- Cell Replacement: iPSC and regenerative approaches
- Global Health: Neurological disease worldwide
- Approved therapies: Lecanemab and donanemab
- Biomarkers: Blood-based biomarker implementation
- Prevention: Primary and secondary prevention trials[@cummings2023]
- Alpha-synuclein targeting: Immunotherapies
- Gene therapy: AAV-based approaches
- Deep brain stimulation: Closed-loop systems
¶ ALS and Frontotemporal Dementia
- Gene targets: SOD1, C9orf72
- RNA therapeutics: Antisense oligonucleotides
- Combination approaches: Multi-mechanism strategies
- Acute stroke: Treatment advances
- Prevention: Anticoagulation strategies
- Cognitive impact: Vascular contributions
- B-cell therapies: Mechanism and outcomes
- Progressive MS: Emerging treatments
- Remyelination: Strategies and trials
- Device therapies: Responsive neurostimulation
- Novel medications: New mechanisms
- Surgical advances: Laser ablation
- Gene therapy: SMA, Duchenne
- Novel mechanisms: Myasthenia gravis biologics
- ALS: New therapeutic approaches
AAN 2026 plenary sessions feature internationally recognized leaders:
- Academic Leaders: Leading researchers from major universities
- Industry Scientists: Chief Scientific Officers from pharmaceutical companies
- Clinical Experts: Neurologists with extensive trial experience
- Government Representatives: NIH and FDA officials
Plenary speakers are selected based on:
- Scientific Impact: Discovery of major importance
- Field Representation: Balanced representation across research areas
- Diversity: Geographic, gender, and career stage diversity
- Presentation Quality: Track record of impactful presentations
- Introduction (5 minutes): Session chair introduces the topic and speaker
- Main Presentation (35-40 minutes): In-depth coverage of the topic
- Question and Answer (15-20 minutes): Audience questions
- Live Q&A: Questions from attendees in person
- Online Questions: Questions submitted via conference app
- Session Hashtag: Social media engagement using #AAN2026
Industry-sponsored satellite symposia provide in-depth coverage of specific topics.
Concurrent scientific sessions allow for detailed presentations on specialized topics:
- Poster Sessions: Interactive presentations
- Oral Abstracts: Selected abstract presentations
- Focused Workshops: Hands-on learning opportunities
- Poster Sessions: Network with presenting researchers
- Social Events: Conference receptions and dinners
- Exhibition Floor: Engage with companies and organizations
Plenary presentations at AAN frequently influence research directions:
- New Hypotheses: Presentations generate new research questions
- Methodological Advances: New approaches are shared and adopted
- Collaborative Opportunities: Connections formed during sessions
- Trial Results: Clinical trial data influences practice guidelines
- Diagnostic Advances: New diagnostic approaches enter practice
- Therapeutic Updates: Approved therapy guidance
- Media Coverage: Major findings receive media attention
- Policy Influence: Research informs public health policy
- Awareness: Conference raises neurological disease awareness
¶ Key Proteins and Pathways
- AAN 2026 Annual Meeting
- American Academy of Neurology
- Cummings et al., Alzheimer's disease therapy pipeline (2023)
- AAN 2026 Scientific Program