Insider Perspectives: What to Expect From the 2026 AAN Annual Meeting

The 2026 American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting, held April 18-22 in Chicago, Illinois, will bring together clinicians, researchers, and industry leaders from across the globe to showcase the latest advances in neurologic care and science. Known for its comprehensive programming, the meeting features a wide range of educational sessions, late-breaking clinical trial data, and emerging research spanning the full spectrum of neurologic disorders. With an increasing emphasis on innovation, this year’s meeting will highlight evolving areas such as brain health, novel therapeutics, and the integration of new technologies into clinical practice, while also fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange among attendees. Paul George, MD, PhD, FAAN, is the Chair of the AAN Science’s Committee which is responsible for the selection of science being presented at the AAN meeting.

Days leading up to the meeting, George, who is also an associate professor in the Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences at Stanford University, sat down to discuss what clinicians can expect from the big conference. In this conversation, he highlights the meeting’s broad clinical and scientific scope, emphasizing key themes such as the growing focus on brain health, the continued expansion of novel therapeutics across neurologic diseases, and the increasing integration of artificial intelligence into both research and clinical practice. He also points to emerging areas like neuromodulation and immune system–brain interactions, as well as the significance of late-breaking phase 3 trial data, all of which underscore the meeting’s role in shaping the future of neurologic care.

NeurologyLive: Can you provide an overview of what clinicians can expect at the 2026 AAN Annual Meeting?

Paul George, MD, PhD, FAAN: I think it’s a very unique meeting because it covers all of neurology and what’s happened over the last year across the field. There are a lot of great educational opportunities on what’s known in certain diseases, how patients are being managed, and how clinicians are approaching care. There’s also late-breaking science, including the latest abstracts and phase 3 trials that are being presented and are actively changing care. And then there are great opportunities for seeing colleagues, fostering collaboration, and networking at the meeting.

What are some of the main focuses for this year’s meeting?

I think brain health has really emerged as a major focus across neurology, and the American Academy of Neurology is helping lead that effort. So, there’s a strong emphasis on how to maintain brain health, build brain resilience, and manage it when it’s impacted by disease. Patients are asking a lot about this, so there’s a lot of new science and education around it.

Another big area is new therapies in neurology. There have been a lot of advances in treatments for neurodegenerative diseases over the past few years, and continued progress in inflammatory diseases as well.

And finally, AI continues to impact both the practice of medicine and our understanding of neurology. There’s a lot of science around AI, as well as more practical clinical applications that will be highlighted.

What broader trends do you think the meeting will highlight this year?

AI is definitely one of the major trends. It’s becoming more widely used in medicine and research, so understanding its capabilities, strengths, and weaknesses is really important. There’s also discussion around where it can be used safely right now, where it still needs development, and how it’s starting to impact things like clinical trials.

Another trend is a shift in how we think about organ systems. We used to think of the brain as separate, but it’s really all connected. There’s growing awareness of things like the gut-brain connection and how the immune system affects neurologic disease. We’re seeing more in clinical trials that modulating the immune response can significantly impact brain health and neurologic illness. That’s a theme that cuts across many areas of neurology.

Is there anything new or unique about this year’s meeting compared with previous years?

Each year feels new in a sense because the field of neurology is progressing so rapidly. It’s an area where we still don’t have all the answers, so every year brings new insights. One specific addition this year is a new Brain Health Hub. The meeting has different hubs, some focused on research, others on clinical practice, and this year there’s one dedicated to brain health. It’s designed to be more interactive, with smaller audiences and more focused programming, which should make it a really engaging space.

Beyond AI, are there other emerging technologies that will be highlighted at the meeting?

Yes, one of the more exciting areas is neuromodulation. There’s a growing body of research looking at how modulating the nervous system can improve outcomes in conditions like stroke recovery or Parkinson disease. Some of these approaches are already making their way into clinical practice—for example, focused ultrasound for Parkinson disease. More broadly, whether it’s electrical or ultrasound-based modulation, these technologies are helping us better understand how to treat neurologic disease by directly influencing the nervous system.

Are there any notable activities or experiences attendees can look forward to outside of the scientific sessions?

The American Academy of Neurology does a nice job of mixing things up. There’s usually a great opening event to foster collaboration and give people a chance to connect in a more relaxed setting. This year, it is going to be held at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, which is exciting. It’s a great venue with interesting exhibits, and there will be food and music. It provides a good opportunity to network and have a good time.

Is there anything else about the meeting or the field that you’d like to highlight?

One of the most exciting things is the growing number of phase 3 clinical trials being presented at each meeting. The plenary sessions and late-breaking science are packed with these pivotal trials that can have an immediate impact on patient care. Another area I find interesting is the cross-effects of drugs. For example, GLP-1 drugs have been widely used for weight loss, but there are signals that they may also have benefits in neurologic diseases beyond just weight reduction. There are sessions exploring those kinds of effects, which makes for a really exciting conference overall.

Transcript edited for clarity.