A First of its Kind Virtual Medical Conference to Explore The Common Cause and Treatment of Chronic and Mysterious Diseases Now Causing Sickness and Suffering in Over 20 Million People

    WASHINGTON, DC, January 04, 2022 /24-7PressRelease/ -- On February 9-11, 2022, the International Center for Interdisciplinary Studies of Immunology (ICISI) at Georgetown University Medical Center and The Foundation for Total Recovery, a nonprofit 501c3 foundation dedicated to the support of medical research and education, are proud to sponsor a groundbreaking virtual conference—Autoimmune Encephalopathy Secondary to Infectious Disease: A New Perspective on the Pathogenetic Interaction of the Immune System, Infection, Stress and Chronic Disease.

The impetus for the conference: the over 20 million sick Americans whose numbers are bound to increase with the as-of-yet uncounted long-haul COVID-19 patients. The ways in which practitioners, patients, and caregivers approach ME/CFS, neuropsychiatric disorders, PANS/PANDAS, chronic Lyme, fibromyalgia, and long-haul COVID-19 needs to change. Patients can attest that the treatments offered—often on-going for years—are not working. The time has come for a radical reassessment and a paradigm shift that will allow a more inclusive, across-discipline approach.

Medical thought leaders from around the world, including specialists from Oxford, Columbia, Duke, and even the renowned Sheba Medical Center in Israel, will take part in this program focused on sharing knowledge not only with colleagues but also with patients and other stakeholders to help them understand the new thinking about the origins and treatment of these diverse conditions.

Over the three days, sessions will cover perspectives on the pathophysiology of these disorders in a wide variety of topics ranging from epidemiology to diagnostic tools and treatments. Throughout the conference, patients will convey their own journey and struggles. Participants will discuss: What if these diseases aren't distinct? What if they are different manifestations of the same root cause—immune dysregulation resulting in neuroinflammation? And if they are, how should they be successfully treated? The conference will also present exciting and revolutionary new information on using inflammatory proteins called cytokine to better diagnose and treat.

Conference goals are to:
• Explore the role of genetic and epigenetic factors that predispose an individual for immune dysregulation.
• Analyze the current evidence for infection-mediated immune dysregulation as it relates to Fibromyalgia, ME/CFS, neuropsychiatric illnesses, Post-Lyme syndrome, PANS/PANDAS and the post COVID-19 long haul syndrome.
• Examine current and new diagnostic testing procedures and treatment options for these conditions.

The nineteen speakers will include specialists in the fields of immunology and genetics, biological sciences, integrative physiology, autoimmune and rheumatic diseases, behavioral pediatrics, anesthesiology and neurobiology, and many more.

The complete agenda and speaker lineup can be viewed at: https://inevent.com/en/FoundationforTotalRecovery-1625240794/94-FoundationforTotalRecovery-1639074062/hotsite.php

A second, 3-hour virtual program, will take place on March 5, 2022 to break down the highlights of the conference for a public audience, and help them put what was discussed in the first program into action for their own recovery.

ABOUT THE CO-CHAIRS:
GARY KAPLAN, DO, DABFP, DABPM, FAAMA Medical Director at the Kaplan Center for Integrative Medicine. Clinical Associate Professor, Georgetown University School of Medicine

JOSEPH BELLANTI, MD, Professor of Pediatrics and Microbiology-Immunology (Emeritus) Director, International Center for Interdisciplinary Studies of Immunology (ICISI) Georgetown University Medical Center

AMIRAM KATZ, MD, DABPN, a Board-Certified Neurologist, practicing at MedAhead Inc.

SPONSORS:
The INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES OF IMMUNOLOGY (ICISI) at GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER

The FOUNDATION FOR TOTAL RECOVERY seeks to provide support and find a cure for all who suffer with chronic neuroinflammatory disease manifesting as ME/CFS, chronic pain, post treatment Lyme syndrome, PANS/PANDAS, neuropsychiatric disorders and COVID-19 long haul by partnering with leading researchers, academics, and innovators, studying and publicizing the latest data on neuroinflammation, finding a baseline approach to diagnosing and curing neuroinflammatory disease manifesting as chronic illness, and educating patients and medical professionals about these diseases and the most effective treatments.

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