Berger to Speak at New York Academy of Sciences
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LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 30, 2009) − Dr. Joseph R. Berger, professor and chair of
neurology at the University of Kentucky, will serve as the keynote speaker at the New York
Academy of Sciences (NYAS) meeting next month in New York City.
The NYAS is a membership organization with more than 24,000 members in 140 countries. They include research scientists at universities and industry, as well as representatives of business, government, and policy organizations. The meeting is titled “Investigating the Possible Role of Immunomodulating Therapies in Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML).
Along with his keynote address, Berger will open the meeting with a big-picture view of the PML field including a clinical and historical perspective of the disease and how this perspective has evolved over time.
"PML has become quite topical because of the increasing recognition of this formerly exceptionally rare disease of the brain with a variety of newly introduced therapies," said Berger. "Historically, this typically fatal viral disease of the brain had been largely seen as the consequence of underlying HIV/AIDS or hematological malignancy. However, it is now increasingly observed with newer therapies. The presentation at the NYAS will address the risks for PML inherent with the use of these drugs and address the mechanisms responsible.”
Berger is director of the Multiple Sclerosis Clinic and the Neuro-AIDS programs at UK. His research interests include the neurological complications of HIV/AIDS, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, multiple sclerosis, and other inflammatory disorders of the brain. Berger has published more than 140 referred papers, over 80 chapters, and has edited three textbooks. He is an Associate of the Journal of Neurovirology and has serves on several other editorial boards.
Berger is a fellow of the American Academy of Neurology and a member of the American Neurological Association where he currently serves as treasurer.
The NYAS is a membership organization with more than 24,000 members in 140 countries. They include research scientists at universities and industry, as well as representatives of business, government, and policy organizations. The meeting is titled “Investigating the Possible Role of Immunomodulating Therapies in Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML).
Along with his keynote address, Berger will open the meeting with a big-picture view of the PML field including a clinical and historical perspective of the disease and how this perspective has evolved over time.
"PML has become quite topical because of the increasing recognition of this formerly exceptionally rare disease of the brain with a variety of newly introduced therapies," said Berger. "Historically, this typically fatal viral disease of the brain had been largely seen as the consequence of underlying HIV/AIDS or hematological malignancy. However, it is now increasingly observed with newer therapies. The presentation at the NYAS will address the risks for PML inherent with the use of these drugs and address the mechanisms responsible.”
Berger is director of the Multiple Sclerosis Clinic and the Neuro-AIDS programs at UK. His research interests include the neurological complications of HIV/AIDS, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, multiple sclerosis, and other inflammatory disorders of the brain. Berger has published more than 140 referred papers, over 80 chapters, and has edited three textbooks. He is an Associate of the Journal of Neurovirology and has serves on several other editorial boards.
Berger is a fellow of the American Academy of Neurology and a member of the American Neurological Association where he currently serves as treasurer.