Harnessing Genetic Knowledge for Targeted Therapies in Child Neurology: Olivia Kim-McManus, MD

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"We had a session that went over the historical arc of genetics in the space of pediatric neurology, starting with how things changed in the neuromuscular space with antisense oligonucleotides and how it’s impacted the ability to really focus targeted treatments for children.”

At the 54th Child Neurology Society (CNS) Annual Meeting, held October 8 to 11, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina, a presidential symposium examined recent developments in the field of neurogenetics and their application to clinical practice. The session reviewed progress in genomic sequencing technologies, bioinformatic analysis, and approaches to understanding inheritance patterns. Experts discussed how these tools have contributed to more precise and timely genetic diagnoses. The session also addressed the evolving overlap between metabolic and nonmetabolic disorders and the importance of integrating scientific advances into patient care frameworks.

In this symposium, attendees learned about current methods for incorporating genomic diagnostics into clinical evaluation and how diagnostic findings may relate to available or emerging therapeutic approaches. The session aimed to provide clinicians with an overview of how research advancements are influencing diagnostic practices and decision-making in neurogenetic disorders, with attention to the potential and ongoing challenges of applying these tools in everyday care. To get more insight from the presidential symposium at CNS 2025, our sister publication Contemporary Pediatrics® spoke with child neurologist Olivia Kim-McManus, MD.

In her presentation, Kim-McManus, an associate clinical professor in the Department of Neurosciences at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, discussed how genetic research is potentially transforming the landscape of child neurology. Drawing from her clinical experience, Kim-McManus underscored the importance of genetic testing to guide individualized treatment strategies and noted ongoing challenges related to equitable access. During the interview, she emphasized holistic care for children with developmental and epileptic encephalopathies, advocating for continued innovation and pushing the boundaries of what is possible for each child.

Click here for more coverage of CNS 2025.

REFERENCES
1. Kim-McManus O. A pathway from genetic diagnosis to targeted genetic therapy. Presented at: Symposium II: CNS Presidential Symposium: Translating Research into the Clinic: A New Age in Neurogenetics, 2025 CNS Annual Meeting; October 8-11, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina.