Autoimmune Neurology: Phenotype-Based Testing
May 19, 2026
11 a.m.–Noon CT
Cost
Free for all participants.
Overview
This webinar describes how the field of autoimmune neurology testing has changed with the explosion of antibody discovery and discusses the importance of a patient-first, phenotype-based approach to evaluation and test selection. The session highlights how expanding biomarker knowledge has reshaped diagnostic strategies beyond nonspecific, traditional paraneoplastic-focused testing and emphasizes aligning laboratory testing with the patient’s specific clinical presentation. Participants will gain a better understanding of how phenotype-driven testing supports more accurate diagnosis, more meaningful interpretation of antibody results, and improved clinical decision-making in autoimmune neurological disease.
Presenter
Andrew McKeon, M.D.
Co-Director, Neuroimmunology Lab
Professor of Neurology
Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology
Division of Clinical Biochemistry and Immunology
Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
Learning objectives
Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:
- Identify key phenotypic features of autoimmune CNS disorders, including encephalitis, ataxias, and other movement disorders, in paraneoplastic and non-paraneoplastic disease.
- Incorporate newly recognized autoimmune neurological disorders into the differential diagnosis.
- Apply a neurological phenotype-based approach to the selection and interpretation of autoimmune neurology testing.
Intended audience
This webinar is intended for pathologists, neurologists, laboratory professionals, and other healthcare professionals involved in the evaluation, testing, diagnosis, and clinical management of autoimmune neurological disorders. It is particularly relevant for individuals who order, perform, interpret, or apply neural antibody and related laboratory testing in clinical practice.
Faculty disclosure
Course director(s), planning committee, faculty, and all others who are in a position to control the content of this educational activity are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with any commercial interest related to the subject matter of the educational activity. Safeguards against commercial bias have been put in place. Faculty members also will disclose any off-label and/or investigational use of pharmaceuticals or instruments discussed in their presentations. Disclosure of this information will be published in course materials so those participants in the activity may formulate their own judgments regarding the presentations.
Questions
Contact us: mcleducation@mayo.edu
