National Women Physicians Day: Women Driving Change in Neurology

In recognition of National Women Physician’s Day, held February 3rd each year, NeurologyLive^® is highlighting the impact of various neurological diseases on women’s health and the women driving the positive change. The intersection of neurologic care and women’s health, particularly during the childbearing years, can be especially complex. At the same time, women physicians, researchers, and advocates are shaping the future of care through leadership, innovation, and discovery.

Over the past year, industry leaders have shared insights on research, breakthroughs, and evolving care practices that reflect this dual focus. Below are news articles, podcast episodes, interviews, and roundtable discussions from the past 12 months highlighting women’s health in neurology and the women leading the charge.

Migraine Medication Zavegepant Safe and Well Tolerated in Lactating Women, Phase 1 Study Shows

A single-site, open-label, single-arm, phase 1 pharmacokinetic study (NCT06453356) found that zavegepant (Zavzpret; Pfizer) nasal spray was generally safe and well tolerated in healthy lactating women, with very low estimated infant exposure via breast milk following a single 10-mg dose. The study was designed to characterize the pharmacokinetics and analyze the safety of zavegepant in human breast milk and plasma, addressing a gap of evidence regarding medication exposure during lactation.

Managing Postpartum MS: Safety Data, Relapse Risk, and Real-World Practice

On the pilot episode of Inside MS: A Clinician's Compass, host Lindsay Ross, MD, is joined by Edith Graham, MD, assistant professor of neurology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, for an in-depth discussion on managing multiple sclerosis during breastfeeding. The conversation examines how postpartum care decisions are evolving as more safety, pharmacokinetic, and infant outcome data become available, particularly around the use of disease-modifying therapies during lactation. Furthermore, Ross and Graham discuss the growing comfort with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies, how relapse risk and breastfeeding physiology factor into treatment timing, and the practical considerations clinicians weigh when counseling patients during this critical phase of MS care.

Implications of Newborn Screening for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Care: Brenda L. Wong, MD; Michael Kelly, PhD

NeurologyLive spoke with CureDuchenne’s Brenda L. Wong, MD, chief medical advisor, and Michael Kelly, PhD, chief scientific officer, to discuss the clinical and family-level impact of DMD being added to the national Recommended Uniform Screening Panel. The women leaders highlighted the expanding treatment landscape and noted that earlier diagnosis aligns with industry trends toward treating younger patients. Both experts underscored that although the growing number of therapeutic options offers hope, it also introduces complexity for clinicians and families navigating mutation-specific treatments, limited long-term data, and evolving clinical trial opportunities.

Issues Surrounding Reproductive Health in Women with Epilepsy: Esther Bui, MD

In an exclusive interview with NeurologyLive, neurology Ester Bui, MD, discusses the numerous challenges that both epileptologists and patients encounter when navigating reproductive health in the context of epilepsy. Throughout the conversation, she highlighted the difficulties pregnant women face in balancing seizure control with fetal safety, emphasizing that discontinuing antiseizure medications is usually not a viable option. Bui also reflected on the historical gaps in knowledge and past clinical practices that continue to shape current understanding of reproductive health in women with epilepsy. Furthermore, she addressed the broader society factors that influence care for women during their reproductive years.

Reflecting on the 2025 Annual Women in Neurology (WNG) Conference: Amy Hessler, DO

The Women in Neurology Conference is a professional gathering focused on advancing the careers, leadership, and visibility of women across the neurology field. Through expert panels, mentorship opportunities, and discussions on career development, research, and equity, the meeting creates space for shared experiences and practical strategies for growth. By highlighting women leaders and fostering peer networks, it helps strengthen representation and empower the next generation of neurologists in academic, clinical, and industry roles. In a recent interview with NeurologyLive, Amy Hessler, DO, women's neurology specialist at Universal Neurological Care and co-founder of the WNG, reflected on her experiences at the conference by discussing some of the highlights from the agenda, and emphasized the importance of community among women neurologists.

Empowering Women in Neurology: 4th Annual Conference & Networking Retreat

In this roundtable discussion, movement disorder specialists from the Women Neurologists Group (WNG)—Jill M. Farmer, DO, MPH, and Kathrin LaFaver, MD, FAAN, DipABLM—discussed the mission of their organization and highlighted the program at the 4th Annual Women in Neurology Conference, held October 24–26 in Colorado Springs, which aims to support women in the field. The conversation reflected on key milestones achieved over the past decade by WNG, while also looking ahead to how the group can continue addressing the challenges faced by women neurologists.

Ocrelizumab’s Encouraging Treatment Effects Across Conception Delivery and Breastfeeding

Ocrelizumab (Ocrevus; Genentech), a humanized monoclonal antibody designed to target CD20-positive B cells, has been approved for several years as a treatment for relapsing and progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). At the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) 2025 Congress, held September 24 to 26, 2025, in Barcelona, Spain, Riley Bove, MD, presented new phase 4 data from the MINORE (NCT04998812) and SOPRANINO (NCT04998851) studies, 2 complementary trials testing the therapy’s exposure in pregnancy and postpartum periods.

National Survey Highlights Educational Gaps in Women’s Neurology and the Need for Curriculum Reform

A 2025 nationwide survey of neurology residents and program directors revealed significant gaps in training related to women’s neurological health, including care during pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause. Overall, the findings pointed to a widespread lack of preparedness among trainees and calls for urgent curriculum reform.

Hormonal Influences on Sleep Disorders in Women: Suzanne Bertisch, MD

Chair of the Women’s Sleep Health Task Force Suzanne Bertisch, MD, sat down with NeurologyLive to further outline the gender-specific patterns and challenges in diagnosing and managing sleep disorders in women. Bertisch, who also serves as the clinical director of Behavioral Sleep Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital and an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, emphasized how hormonal fluctuations across life stages affect women’s sleep health. In the discussion, she highlighted the under recognition of atypical presentations of conditions in women and underscored the need for improved clinical awareness to address disparities in sleep disorder care.

Elevating Women in Neurology: Perspectives From Empowering Leaders

In this compelling panel discussion, neurologists Vanessa Hinson, MD, PhD (Medical University of South Carolina), Carlayne Jackson, MD (UT Health San Antonio) and Marie Eugene, DO (University of Connecticut) explore the evolving role of women in neurology. They shared insights into empowering women leaders, their unique contributions to neurology departments, and the challenges they’ve faced as women in the medical workforce. The conversation also highlights groundbreaking women-related research, making this series a must-watch for those passionate about advancing diversity and inclusion in medicine.