Key Takeaways on Neurorehabilitation Innovation at 2026 AAN: Nirmal Surya, MD, DM

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“Neurologists need to understand these tools… and their decisions have to make a difference in the patient’s outcome.”

The 2026 American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting, held April 18-22 in Chicago, Illinois, brought together clinicians, researchers, and industry leaders from across the globe to showcase the latest advances in neurologic care and science. As one of the largest conferences in the field, the meeting featured comprehensive programming, including 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 highlighted evolving areas such as brain health, novel therapeutics, wearable neuromodulation devices, and the integration of new technologies into clinical practice, while also fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange among attendees. Nirmal Surya, MD, DM, founder and president of the Indian Federation of Neurorehabilitation, was invited to develop and lead a course focused on emerging technologies in neurorehabilitation.

The 2-hour course titled “Technology and Therapeutics in Neuro-rehabilitation: A Neurologist's Guide” was spearheaded by Surya and featured contribution from experts including Wayne Feng, MD, MS, from Duke University and Andrew Schmiesing, MD, of Allina Health. Together, these sessions provided a comprehensive overview of the rapidly evolving neurorehabilitation landscape, spanning pharmacologic, device-based, and technology-driven approaches.

At the conference, NeurologyLive® spoke with Surya about the course and the broader wave of innovation in neurorehabilitation. He highlighted discussions on implantable technologies, such as vagus nerve stimulation to enhance post-stroke recovery and motor function, as well as advances in rehabilitation-focused devices. Surya also reviewed the evolving role of pharmacologic therapies, noting that many agents have shown limited efficacy in clinical trials, underscoring the importance of avoiding drugs that may hinder motor recovery while selectively using treatments such as amantadine for post–traumatic brain injury and donepezil for cognitive support.

Click here for more AAN 2026 coverage.