Neurology Update Meeting 2025 Report
The 24th Annual Neurology Update Meeting, directed by Dr. Petya Bogdanova-Mihaylova, took place on October 10th in O’Reilly Hall, University College Dublin.
Dr. Bogdanova-Mihaylova opened the meeting, welcoming guests, chairpersons, delegates and sponsors to the meeting. She especially welcomed her guest lecturer, Prof Alexandra Sinclair as well as Prof Sinead Murphy, Dr Declan O’Rourke, Dr Olwen Murphy, Prof Chris McGuigan, Dr Paul Burns, Prof Brendan Kelly and Dr Yerko Ivanovic Barbeito.
This year’s Neurology Update Meeting offered diverse programme which covered a broad spectrum of topics ranging from common neurological problems to rare neurological disorders, from conditions presenting in childhood to adult onset conditions. Further on diverse therapies extending from genetic treatments in paediatric neuromuscular disorders to music as a therapy in epilepsy were discussed. Most of the talks highlighted the multifaceted approach required to manage complex neurological conditions.
Meeting Programme
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Dr Stela Lefter, Consultant Neurologist, Beaumont Hospital, chaired the opening session of the meeting.
Delegates at the meeting 
Dr. Stela Lefter 
Prof. Sinead Murphy Prof. Sinead Murphy, Tallaght University Hospital, delivered a lecture entitled: “Beyond borders: Advancing patient care through the ERN-RND Registry.”
Dr. Declan O’Rourke, Temple Street Children’s University Hospital, discussed “Genetic treatments in Paediatric Neuromuscular Disorders.”
Dr. Aoife Laffan. Dr. Shane Smith and Dr. Paul Crowley 
Dr. Ronan Walsh 
Dr. Declan O’Rourke, Temple Street Children’s Hospital -
Dr. Peter Boers, Consultant Neurologist, University Hospital Limerick, chaired the second session. Dr. Olwen Murphy, Tallaght University Hospital, touched on the interaction between the vestibular and the central nervous system in her presentation: “Vestibular and ocular motor neurology: video cases to guide diagnosis and treatment.”
Dr. Peter Boers with Guest Speaker Dr, Alexandra Sinclair 
Dr. Olwen Murphy 
Dr. Alexandra Sinclair Prof. Alexandra Sinclair, Professor of Neurology at the University of Birmingham and lead of the Translational Brain Science Research Group, delivered the guest lecture entitled: “Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension: New insights shaping Clinical Practice”. She eloquently gave an overview of the condition, including risk factors, clinical features, investigations and management, specifically addressing the topic of pregnancy. The subsequent Q&A session provided practical advice on diagnosing and managing patients with IIH.
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Dr Gavin McDonnell, Consultant Neurologist, The Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast chaired the Third Session.
Dr. Gavin McDonnell with IICN Dean Dr. John McConville 
Prof. Chris McGuigan 
Dr. Paul Burns Prof. Chris McGuigan, Consultant Neurologist, St. Vincent’s University Hospital lectured on “Update on the management of multiple sclerosis,” focusing on the updated diagnostic criteria for Multiple sclerosis.
Dr. Paul Burns, Consultant Neuroradiologist, Royal Victoria Hospital Belfast, presented interesting radiology cases in his lecture: “Stroke mimics.” -
Dr. Donal Costigan introduced the fourth and final session.
Prof. Brendan Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry, Trinity College Dublin, illuminated us on where neurology meets psychiatry in his lecture entitled: “Psychiatry and Neurology: Contested Aspects of a Complex Relationship”.
The final lecture of the meeting: “Sound Waves & Brain Waves: The Neuroscience Behind Music as Therapy in Epilepsy and Beyond” was delivered by Dr Yerko Ivanovic Barbeito. He played a number of piano pieces, including Mozart and Bach’s work to bring the audience to a classical music journey from elegance and rhythmic surprises to the East-meets-West flavoured Alla Turca Jazz bazed on Mozart’s Turkish March.
Dr. Donal Costigan 
Prof. Brendan Kelly 
Dr. Yerko Ivanovic Barbeito
Continuing Professional Development
The Neurology Update Meeting 2025 has received accreditation of 6 CPD credits in the External CPD category by The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland.
Certificates will be sent by email to delegates.
Evaluation and Feedback
The feedback from the evaluation forms has been most encouraging – here are a few examples of the comments we received:
“The lectures were very practical and the music very entertaining.”
“All the sessions were very relevant and informative.”
“Update Meetings are always helpful. Keep up the good work!”
Your experience of this meeting is important and valued. We would be grateful if delegates who attended the Neurology Update Meeting would complete this Feedback Form and return to info@iicn.ie
Thank you.
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Photo Gallery of The 24th Annual Neurological Meeting 2025
Each lecture on the day generated much discussion, showcased the remarkable progress of this sub-speciality, and underscored the important role of a multidisciplinary approach in optimizing outcomes.
Dr. Paul Crowley, St. Luke’s Hospital Kilkenny 
Dr, Aoife Laffan, Prof. Alexandra Sinclair and Dr. Claire Connolly 
Drr. Audrey Reynolds and Dr, Hongying Chen 
Dr. Declan O’Rourke and Ms. Yvonne Owen 
