Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary

and

The Benign Essential Blepharospasm Research Foundation

Regional Meeting on Blepharospasm, Hemifacial, Meige Disease & Related Dystonias

PATIENT CONFERENCE

MAY 2, 2009

11:30 – 5:00 pm

Meltzer Auditorium at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary

Organized by Gary Borodic, MD in conjunction with Membership of the Blepharospasm and Meige Disease Research Foundation

Preliminary Conference Schedule

11:30 – 12:30 Registration and Reception

Held in the cafeteria - 7^th floor

12:30 – 12:45 Introduction

Gary Borodic, MD, Senior Surgeon Mass Eye and Ear Infirmary, Moderator

Mary Lou Thompson, (Koster) Foundation President

Alan Phair, Regional Organizer

12:45 - 1:25 Basics of Botulinum Toxin Therapeutics

Gary Borodic, MD, Senior Surgeon Mass Eye and Ear Infirmary and Harvard Medical School

1. The mechanism of action

2. Basic pharmacology

3. The original drug design with subsequent modifications and history

4. Newer improvements and overviews

5. Issues in long term management

6. Newer designs and expanding horizons

Questions and Answers

1:25 – 2:05 Genetic Research Topics Clinical Neurologic Approaches

Nutan Sharma, MD, Director of the Movement Disorders Clinic, Massachusetts General Hospital

1. Animal models of DYT1 dystonia

2. Analysis of the neurotransmitter defects in animals with the DYT1 mutation

3. Clinical evaluation of individuals with dystonia in order to understand how genes affect dystonia

4. Medical Therapy for dystonias with emphasis on head and neck dystonias

5. Comment on deep brain stimulation

Questions and Answers

2:05 –2:45 Clinical Evaluation and Management

Thomas Hedges, MD Director of Neuro-Ophthalmology, Tufts Medical Center

1. Diagnosis of various blepharospasm syndromes

2. Extended experience with botulinum toxin injections

3. Research with newer versions of botulinum toxin

4. Future directions in management

Questions and Answers

2:45 – 3:15 Doctor Panel Questions and Answers

COFFEE AND REFRESHMENTS

3:45 – 4:25 Surgical Management of Essential Blepharospasm and Meige Syndrome

Gary Borodic, MD, Senior Surgeon Mass Eye and Ear Infirmary and Harvard Medical School

1. Review of past procedures

2. Design, implementation and preliminary results using small incision myo–osseous fixation surgery (MOF procedure)

3. Case analysis of MOF procedure with 6- 12 month follow-up and safety report

Question and Answers

4:25 – 4:50 Patient Panel Questions and Answers

4:50 – 5:00 Final Questions and Answers & Closing Remarks