High quality research recognised at neurology meeting

The Irish Neurological Association Annual Meeting 2025 recognised excellence in neurological research and clinical practice, with prizes awarded across a range of specialties including epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and neurosurgery.

The John Kirker Prize for the best epilepsy-related presentation went to ‘Epilepsy and women’s health – practice review in our regional epilepsy service’.

Dr Julie Sheehan presented the findings of the study to attendees.

The audit by doctors at St James’s Hospital, Dublin, and Trinity College Dublin examined the quality of management of 320 women with epilepsy who attended clinics at St James’s Hospital in 2024.

The research highlighted deficiencies in the current practice for managing women with epilepsy.

Guidelines have not been updated “since the emergence of research relating to teratogenicity of specific anti-seizure medications, nor do they acknowledge the developments in women’s healthcare in Ireland, including in vitro fertilisation and medical termination of pregnancy”.

The audit concluded that there is a need for greater emphasis on women’s healthcare among people with epilepsy and advised that the lack of attention currently paid to the area is “likely a reflection of the historical male bias in scientific literature.”

“A proactive approach is required to improve these knowledge gaps and overall care for female patients
in neurology.”

Meanwhile, the John Lynch Prize for best poster presentation went to a study titled ‘Introduction of a pilot seizure pathway in Tallaght University Hospital’. The findings were presented by Dr Shamseela Waqar and Dr Farkhanda Qaiser.

The study included the introduction of a SPARK-funded pilot seizure pathway that commenced in Tallaght University Hospital, Dublin, in the last quarter of 2024 with the aim of avoiding admission of appropriate patients presenting with seizures.

Retrospective data was collected for six months before the pilot was introduced and showed that 512 patients were admitted with an initial diagnosis of seizure. Prospective data will be analysed in the future to determine the impact of the pilot.

The authors found that many patients are admitted for possible seizures, often in cases where they require access to timely investigations.

The Mark Gibson Prize for best movement disorder-related presentation was given for a study titled ‘Continuous subcutaneous infusion of foslevodopa/foscarbidopa for people with advanced Parkinson’s disease (PD): A real-world single-centre experience’. Dr Manisha Coran shared findings from the study at the meeting.

The work investigated the impact of continuous subcutaneous infusion of foslevodopa/foscarbidopa in improving gait parameters in patients with advanced PD.

The small study of 17 patients found that foslevodopa/foscarbidopa “is expected to positively impact gait stability, through consistent dopaminergic stimulation and reducing dyskinesia/bradykinesia”.

The study ‘How has the WHO CNS tumour classification of 2021 impacted neuropathology glioma practice?’ received the Hugh Staunton Prize for best presentation by an intern or medical student.

Dr Ciara O’Donoghue told attendees how the authors, based at the National Neuroscience Centre, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, and Trinity College Dublin, examined whether molecular testing investigations had improved glioma diagnosis and patient care or simply increased diagnostic complexity.

Dr O’Donoghue noted how the World Health Organisation in 2021 had introduced significant changes in the role of molecular diagnostics in
investigating tumours.

A retrospective database was compiled spanning the years 2018-2024 and 2,063 gliomas diagnosed in the Beaumont Hospital neuropathology department
were identified.

“Of the 361 diffuse gliomas histologically diagnosed in 2024, 10 tumours were reclassified to an alternative histologic type and four tumours were regraded following integration of the molecular findings into a final diagnosis,” the study found.

The authors concluded that: “The risks of overreliance on molecular testing and lack of availability of molecular testing in several centres indicate that high-quality histologic diagnosis will be required for the foreseeable future.”

The neurosurgical prize was won for a study titled ‘A series of unfortunate and uncommon events: Discussing unusual bithalamic infarction with artery of percheron secondary to traumatic vertebral dissection following a cycling accident’.

The winning study, which was presented by Dr Yuval Belisha, looked at the care of a 44-year-old cyclist who suffered injuries after colliding with a vehicle. What was initially an isolated trauma event led to multiple complicated events for the patient, Dr Belisha said.

This led the authors to conclude that “understanding the mechanics of the healthcare system is vital”, while emphasising that the importance of multi-disciplinary team care cannot be overstated.

Finally, the Harold Millar Prize for best overall presentation at the meeting went to a team of doctors at St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin, for their work titled ‘Disease-modifying therapies and disease activity in pregnant women with multiple sclerosis’.

In her presentation, Dr Grainne Mulkerrin explained that the study examined the management of pregnant women with multiple sclerosis (MS) between January 2018 and July 2024, during which time 52 pregnancies occurred.

The authors concluded that the evolving management of MS “before and during pregnancy appears to confer better outcomes postpartum”.