New developments in understanding chronic illness, Nov. 8-10 Washington DC Davis/Hanson

Sounds as though the event organisers have ME/CFS and fibromyalgia, and quite a bit else, all sorted - mechanisms, treatment...
Objectives: After completing this activity, the participant will be able to:
  1. Summarize the role of the innate and adaptive immune system in chronic disease.
  2. Explain biological mechanisms of how infections incite immune dysfunction resulting in chronic disease.
  3. Describe new diagnostic testing and biomarkers for defining and identifying immune dysfunction in chronic illness.
  4. Identify clinical and case study examples using new and repositioned treatment modalities that have been shown to be effective in treating immune-mediated chronic disorders secondary to infection.
  5. Summarize long haul covid and it’s pathophysiology and new diagnostic and treatment modalities.
  6. Describe a new understanding of fibromyalgia as an immunologic disorder and the role of the immune system in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).
  7. Recognize the role of infections and immune dysfunction as the cause of other neurologic, psychiatric, and behavioral disorders.
  8. Explain the role of gut microbiome in health and immune dysfunction.
  9. Identify the roles and responsibilities of members of the healthcare team involved in the collaborative care of patients with atypical immunological diseases.
  10. Integrate a team-based approach in the care of patients with atypical immunological diseases.
 
Here's a link to the schedule:

https://medstar.cloud-cme.com/course/courseoverview?P=0&EID=20362

I noticed that Avindra Nath is also on the schedule - "NIH Data / Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Data"

EDIT: Looks like this is one of those websites where you can't link directly to a certain section, you have to click on the tab for schedule after clicking the link I posted.
 
It is a weird event - there's those three speakers who might have something useful and new to say.

But it feels a bit as though some organisations are aiming to gain credibility by being near them. The event sponsor is the Foundation for Total Recovery
https://foundationfortotalrecovery.org/
At first glance, it looks okay, focussed on finding answers for conditions with Neuroinflammation. But, if you listen to the video, there's a focus on chronic pain, along with depression, anxiety and PTSD. Apparently it's all due to brains on fire, caused by brain injuries, emotional trauma and stress.
It's a full on fundraising site.

The person behind the site is Gary Kaplan, who sounds familiar. Here's his blurb - he's big on acupuncture, integrative medicine, chelation and osteopathy.
Gary Kaplan, D.O. is the founder and medical director of the Kaplan Center for Integrative Medicine, and author of two books, Total Recovery: A Revolutionary New Approach to Breaking the Cycle of Pain and Depression (Rodale, 2014) and Why You Are Still Sick, How Infections Can Break Your Immune System & How You Can Recover (Callanan Publishers, 2022). A pioneer and leader in the field of integrative medicine, Dr. Kaplan is one of only 19 physicians in the country to be board-certified in both Family Medicine and Pain Medicine. He is also board-certified in Medical Acupuncture and has studied and practiced Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, Regenerative Medicine and Emergency Medicine. Dr. Kaplan is also certified by The American College for Advancement in Medicine in the practice of Chelation Therapy.

Dr. Kaplan graduated from the College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery in Des Moines, Iowa. He completed his residency training at Georgetown University/Providence Hospital’s Family Practice Residency Program and was trained in acupuncture at the UCLA School of Medicine Extension. Dr. Kaplan currently serves as a clinical associate professor in the Department of Community and Family Medicine at Georgetown University School of Medicine and is a fellow of the American Board of Medical Acupuncture.

The co-sponsor of the event is the Academy of Nutritional Medicine.

I would have thought Nath, Davies and Hanson would have plenty of quality platforms available to them to make speeches from, so I find it odd that they are involved with this conference.
 
I would have thought Nath, Davies and Hanson would have plenty of quality platforms available to them to make speeches from, so I find it odd that they are involved with this conference.
That concerns me too. By sitting on the same platform as quacks and when that platform belongs to the quacks, they give credibility to the quackery too.
 
Merged thread

About The Conference
There are over 20 million Americans suffering from a group of chronic disabling disorders who are diagnosed without a clear elucidation of pathophysiologic mechanisms. This includes Fibromyalgia, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/ CFS), Neuropsychiatric illnesses, Posttreatment Lyme Syndrome, Pediatric Acute on Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANDAS/PANS)

Adding to this massive disease burden the CDC now estimates that of the 40% of Americans who were infected with COVID-19 1 in 5 continue to suffer with what is now referred to as Post-acute sequalae of COVID (PASC). Research has demonstrated that common to all these conditions is dysregulation of the immune system resulting from an infectious insult. Dramatic advances have occurred in our understanding of all these conditions as a result of COVID. It is an incredibly exciting period in medicine where these diseases are beginning to coalesce around an understanding of shared pathophysiology. We are entering a period of true hope for those millions who are suffering where we will finally be able to provide comprehensive solutions for their illness.

This conference will bring together some of the leading researchers and clinicians from around the world to discuss the advances in our understanding of these conditions and breakthroughs in diagnostic and treatment options.
https://chronicillnessconference.com/about/
 
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There are some familiar speakers like Ron Davis and Maureen Hanson, and most have US university affiliations.

I'm puzzled about the organisers. They are called the 'Foundation for Total Recovery', and all I've found about them so far is this conference.
 
Type Of Ticket: Virtual Conference Ticket
For Patients & General Public:
$175 prior to the conference
$245 day of the event

For Healthcare Providers:
$495 prior to the conference
$595 day of the event
20.5 Continuing Education Credits
 
Hilary Johnson is tweeting notes from some of the sessions (Nath and Hanson):



Nath:
(Conclusion) we think all our findings suggest persistent antigen leads to immune dysfunction and microbial dysbiosi in GI tract. Neuroimmune axis gets dysregulation, contributing to metabolic abnormalities. Leads to abnormalties in function (in brain) Autonomic dysfunction
Autonomic dysfunction leads to (shortness of breath).
(Our) hypothesis of persistent antigen as (cause of ME) is based on immune markers. That made us wonder if persistent antigen--whether host or foreign--that's what made us make that hypothesis.
The journal has accepted our data, but is waiting on a number of things that must be uploaded to journal. My guess is it will be soon. Nature Communications is the name of the journal.

Hansen:
Which viruses have been implicated in pre-2020 ME. Herpes viruses, Ross River, influenza, enteroviruses...if we are to judge these viruses, EVs are convicted by preponderance of evidence. EBV may be accomplices, but influenza and Ross River virus don't pay a large role.
 
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Hilary Johnson is tweeting notes from some of the sessions (Nath and Hanson):



Nath:
(Conclusion) we think all our findings suggest persistent antigen leads to immune dysfunction and microbial dysbiosi in GI tract. Neuroimmune axis gets dysregulation, contributing to metabolic abnormalities. Leads to abnormalties in function (in brain) Autonomic dysfunction
Autonomic dysfunction leads to (shortness of breath).
(Our) hypothesis of persistent antigen as (cause of ME) is based on immune markers. That made us wonder if persistent antigen--whether host or foreign--that's what made us make that hypothesis.
The journal has accepted our data, but is waiting on a number of things that must be uploaded to journal. My guess is it will be soon. Nature Communications is the name of the journal.

Hansen:
Which viruses have been implicated in pre-2020 ME. Herpes viruses, Ross River, influenza, enteroviruses...if we are to judge these viruses, EVs are convicted by preponderance of evidence. EBV may be accomplices, but influenza and Ross River virus don't pay a large role.


These are quite the statements by Nath, if true, especially if a pathogen is the antigen in question, I wonder how the patient commentators on this forum will react after bashing such ideas (and researchers pursuing them) for many years. Interesting to note that this comment by Nath is not already discussed more.
 
These are quite the statements by Nath, if true, especially if a pathogen is the antigen in question, I wonder how the patient commentators on this forum will react after bashing such ideas (and researchers pursuing them) for many years. Interesting to note that this comment by Nath is not already discussed more.

I've bashed no one, but if Nath has found something tangible I'd imagine there to be universal delight without the need for point-scoring. Except maybe against ze BPS-crew. There'd be so much dunking on them, hahayes.
 
I think I'll wait until they publish. Tweets by someone watching a talk that the speaker has presumably designed not to reveal the key findings of unpublished research, and another talk about an unproven hypothesis, no longer excite me.
 
I've bashed no one, but if Nath has found something tangible I'd imagine there to be universal delight without the need for point-scoring. Except maybe against ze BPS-crew. There'd be so much dunking on them, hahayes.

Not so much about point scoring but gatekeeping and bias in the name of 'the real science'.
 
Which viruses have been implicated in pre-2020 ME. Herpes viruses, Ross River, influenza, enteroviruses...if we are to judge these viruses, EVs are convicted by preponderance of evidence. EBV may be accomplices, but influenza and Ross River virus don't pay a large role.
What an odd statement. If you embrace a persistent pathogen theory, how do you decide which pathogens can be at play, which cannot? That to me would seem one part huge undertaking, and one part dangerous politics.
 
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