Skip to main content
Loading Events

« All Events

Belgian Annual MS Meeting 2025

June 14 @ 09:00 13:30

The Belgian Study Group for Multiple Sclerosis and ParadigMS Foundation invite you to the Annual MS Meeting 2025, a premier event for the Belgian MS community.

This year’s meeting will feature two distinguished keynote speakers sharing their expertise on the theme Clarifying the evolving role of imaging in the diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis.

Prof. Pietro Maggi (UCL, Belgium) will talk about new diagnostic criteria for MS, focusing on the critical role of MRI markers. His session will explore how advanced imaging techniques can improve diagnostic precision.

Prof. Christine Lebrun-Frenay (Nice, France) will present the 2024 revision of the McDonald Criteria for diagnosing multiple sclerosis (MS), which incorporates new advancements in understanding MS pathobiology and diagnostic tools. Key updates include the addition of the optic nerve as a diagnostic site, new radiological markers (CVS and PRLs), the use of CSF kappa-free light chains, and expanded guidelines for diverse patient populations, including paediatric cases and those with comorbidities.

Prof. Bénédicte Dubois (President of the BSGMS) and Prof. Bart Van Wijmeersch (Board Member, ParadigMS) will introduce each session, setting the stage for insightful discussions and case presentations.

Free registration, pre-registration is mandatory. The registration will open early March.

  • Programme
  • Speakers and Chairs
  • Abstracts
09:00 – 09:30Registration and welcome coffee
09:30 – 09:45Welcome and introduction to the topic by Bénédicte Dubois (President BSGMS) and Bart Van Wijmeersch (Board Member ParadigMS), incl. case presentations
09:45 – 10:15Keynote lecture – New diagnostic criteria and MRI markers
Pietro Maggi (UCL, Belgium)
10:15-10:45Clinical case presentations and discussions
10:45 – 11:05Coffee break and networking
11:05 – 11:35Keynote lecture – New diagnostic criteria and RIS
Christine Lebrun-Frenay (Nice, France)
11:35 – 12:05Clinical case presentations and discussions
12:05 – 12:15Conclusions
12:15 -13:00Networking lunch
13:00 – 13:30BSGMS’ General Assembly (Members only)

Prof. Christine Lebrun Frenay, MD PhD, FAAN

Dr. Christine Lebrun Frenay, MD PhD, FAAN, is a Professor of Neurology and Oncologist. She is head of the inflammatory neurological disorders clinical research unit and MS center at the University of Nice Cote d’Azur. She is a member of the French Neurological Society and French MS Society (SFSEP), in which she was president and of the European and American Academies of Neurology. In 2008, she described the first cohort of a subclinical form of MS. Subsequently, she co-founded with American, European, and Turkish colleagues the RIS Consortium, which expanded worldwide to collect a unique, extensive patient cohort. Her research interest includes therapeutical and MRI studies in MS with a specific implication in the description of Radiologically Isolated Syndrome (RIS). She is the co-editor of recommendations in MS for the French MS Society (vaccines, infections, and DMTs). She is participating in numerous clinical trials and research studies with international publications in neuroinflammatory diseases. She is a member of several editorial boards of scientific journals and scientific boards and is involved in medical evaluations for MS patients’ associations.
She was nominated in 2018 for the executive committee of the ECTRIMS, the French Association for MS Research (ARSEP), received in 2020, the Excellence Price of the Cote d’Azur University, The French Neurological Society, and 2023 member of the McDonald Committee


Prof. Pietro Maggi is a neurologist specialising in multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuroimmunology. He is an Associate professor of clinical neurology at the Université Catholique de Louvain and a Neurologist at Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc.


Since the beginning of my career I have been fascinated by multiple sclerosis (MS). I have gained both clinical and scientific expertise on this condition and have set up a research group that enjoys international recognition and that plays a leading role in the field.

I performed my clinical training as neurologist under supervision of professor H. Carton in Leuven and professor A. Thompson and G. Giovannoni in London, UK. In 2000 I obtained a PhD, entitled The disease-promoting role of gelatinase B/MMP-9 in inflammation of the central nervous system, under the guidance of professor G. Opdenakker (Rega Institute, KU Leuven). Since then, I developed a career in which personalized or precision medicine can be considered keywords.

At the clinical level, and inspired by my visit in London, I launched the concept of interdisciplinary outpatient clinics in Belgium. Central to this initiative is not only the provision of expertise from various medical or paramedical disciplines, but above all the flexible and dynamic nature of this advice, based on the individual’s needs at a specific moment. This idea was subsequently adopted by the MS Center in Melsbroek, and further adapted in the form of a RIZIV convention (TMST – Transmuraal MS Team).

With regard to my scientific activities, and as head of the Laboratory for Neuroimmunology at KU Leuven, I focus on translational research in MS, more specifically on the neuroimmunology and genetic architecture of the susceptibility and the heterogeneity of MS. I have set up a database containing clinical and genetic data of more than 1400 MS patients. In 700 of these patients, longitudinal follow-up over many years is available, which makes this database rather unique and precious. My lab has been successful in obtaining funding (e.g. Horizon2020, FWO, BOF, Progressive Alliance NMSS), and in participating to leading international (IMSGC, Horizon2020) and national (e.g. FWO-WOG, Universiteit Hasselt, Universiteit Antwerpen) collaborations.

Besides clinical and research activities focused on MS, I am also head of the department of Neurology at the University Hospitals Leuven, part-time full professor and head of the medical clerkships centers of the Faculty of Medicine at KU Leuven, head of the Research Group Experimental Neurology, and member of several internal and external commissions related to education and scientific research.


Bart Van Wijmeersch is a neurologist specialized in Multiple Sclerosis. He is medical director of the Rehabilitation and MS Center in Pelt where he leads the multidisciplinary MS-team. Furthermore, he is an associate professor of Neurology at the University of Hasselt, affiliated with the Biomedical Institute, where he’s involved in pre-clinical as well as the clinical research on MS at the biomedical institute (BIOMED). He has a supporting role in all the immunological research on blood- and CSF samples of persons with MS and in EAE-animal models, as well as in the rehabilitation research at REVAL. Immunological, Biomarker, MRI, Electrophysiological and Rehabilitation research in MS come together in this way. He has an educational role in the faculty of medicine and physiotherapy.

He’s a member of the Belgian Study Group of Multiple Sclerosis, first President of ParadigMS and a member of advisory boards of different pharmaceutical companies with interest in Multiple Sclerosis.

As acknowledgment of his scientific work, he received an honorary award of the Flemish government in the summer of 2019.


Abstract of talk

New MS diagnostic criteria and RIS

Recent advancements in understanding multiple sclerosis (MS) and the tools available for assessing its pathobiology have led to a comprehensive revision of the 2017 McDonald Criteria for MS. The updated 2024 McDonald Criteria offers a unified framework for diagnosing MS in individuals presenting with typical relapsing or progressive forms, from childhood to late adulthood. Now, the optic nerve is recognized as a fifth central nervous system (CNS) site for diagnosis. Additionally, new radiological indicators—specifically, the central vein sign (CVS) and paramagnetic rim lesions (PRLs)—can be employed to diagnose MS in certain contexts. The presence of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) kappa-free light chains provides further supportive evidence and can replace oligoclonal bands (OCBs). In some cases, radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) also qualifies under the criteria for preclinical MS. The guidelines encompass recommendations for diagnosing MS in individuals over 50, along with those who have significant comorbidities and headache disorders. This 2024 revision also applies to paediatric populations after excluding MOGAD and all courses of MS. The adaptability of the new diagnostic criteria aims to enhance diagnosis while ensuring specificity, thus enabling medical professionals, researchers, and students interested in neurology to better understand and identify MS.

  • FAQ
  • Sponsors
  • Location
  1. When and where is the event taking place?
    • The first edition of the Belgian Annual MS Meeting oraganised by the Belgian Study Group for Multiple Sclerosis and the ParadigMS Foundation, will take place on Saturday, 14 June 2025, at 9am, in the Faculty Club in Leuven.
  2. How can I register for the event?
    • Simply click on REGISTER button you can see above this section when available.
  3. Is there a registration fee?
    • No, this learning experience is offered for free to neurologists across Belgium, thanks to the support of the sponsors. Registration is mandatory and seats are limited.
  4. Will there be any networking opportunities?
    • The coffee breaks environment will offer plenty of networking opportunities.
  5. Are there any accommodations nearby?
  6. Is there parking available at the venue?
    • The venue provides free parking for participants.
  7. Can I bring a guest?
    • You can register a person, if they are also healthcare professionals with a focus on neurology.
  8. How can I get updates or notifications about the event?
    • Stay connected with all updates and news by subscribing to the ParadigMS Foundation webpage: https://paradigms.foundation/
  9. Is there a dress code for the event?
    • We recommend wearing smart casual attire.
  10. Will there be food and beverages provided?
    • Yes, we provide a welcome coffee, water and lunch provided with a variety of drinks.
  11. What if I need to cancel my registration?
    • If you need to cancel your registration, please send a message to learning@paradigms.foundation.
  12. How can I become a sponsor of the event?
    • If you wish to become a sponsor of this event, please send a message to learning@paradigms.foundation.
  13. Who can I contact for additional information?
    • If you have any questions or need further information about either of the two learning experiences, please feel free to reach out to us at learning@paradigms.foundation.
  14. What if organisers need to cancel the event?
    • The Annual MS Meeting is organised by the Belgian Study Group for Multiple Sclerosis and the ParadigMS Foundation. The organiser reserves the right to cancel the event at any time due to unforeseen circumstances. In that case, registrants will be notified by email and no compensation can be claimed.
  15. Will this symposium be live streamed?
    • No, the two live sessions of the Annual MS Meeting are not live streamed and available only for onsite participants.
  16. Whom can register for one of the sessions?
    • The National MS Meeting is open for neurologists, residents and neurologists in training in Belgium. If you do not fall within this category, please ask for prior approval to the ParadigMS secretariat before registering. If you register without prior approval and are not within the welcomed categories, the organisers reserve the right to cancel your registration. In case of cancellation, you will be notified. You can contact us via learning@paradigms.foundation
  17. Will any of the sessions be recorded
    • Yes, the keynote sessions will be video and audio recorded and will be made available on ParadigMS.foundation. You will need to create a Member account to have access to the recording (conditions to join as a member apply).

Our Gold sponsors:

Our Bronze sponsors:

Faculty Club

Address:

•Groot Begijnhof 14, 3000 Leuven

•Phone number: 016329500

Parking :

•The parking space is available near the venue.

•The code for the parking will be provided prior to the event.

Accommodation:

The Venue is located nearby convenient accommodation options for participants:

FAQs

Is ParadigMS for free?

Yes, a ParadigMS subscription is free for healthcare practitioniers. 

Do subscriptions auto-renew?
Your subscription will automatically renew on yearly basis. If you cancel your plan, it will not renew at the end of your subscription cycle. 
I am a representative from industry, can I subscribe?

Free subscriptions to ParadigMS are reserved for healthcare practitioners. If you are a representative of the industry please contact us on learning@paradigms.foundation and we would advise you how to get the access to the material. 

What happens if I subscribe as a HCP if I am not?
If you subscribe as a healthcare practitioner and it is proven that you are not a healthcare practitioner, we will cancel your subscription immediately. 
I am a patient, can I subscribe?

ParadigMS is designed specifically for healthcare practitioners, with content and language tailored to their professional needs. While patients cannot subscribe directly, we encourage you to consult your healthcare provider for relevant insights and updates that may benefit you.

Why should I subscribe to ParadigMS's e-platform?

Subscribing to ParadigMS’s e-platform gives you access to up-to-date information and valuable learning materials on multiple sclerosis and NMO, along with expert insights and the latest innovations in the field. It’s an essential resource for staying informed and enhancing your knowledge in MS care.

How can I cancel my subscription?
You can cancel your subscription in your account settings. 
Can I financially support ParadigMS?

Yes, you can financially support ParadigMS! We welcome donations to help us continue our mission of advancing multiple sclerosis education and research. Your contribution directly supports the creation of educational resources, expert discussions, and innovative projects in MS care. Visit our donation page to learn more about how you can make a difference: ParadigMS Donate.