October 23-25, 2025
 Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity

2025 Annual Meeting Program

Goals & Objectives
Scientific Abstract Presentations

Review of current clinical and basic science research pertaining to neuropathology with a focus on Canadian centres, but overall international participation. Also a platform for Canadian residents and trainees to present their recent work.

Diagnostic Case Presentations

Interactive discussion of rare and challenging neuropathological cases encountered by participants in their recent practice. Electronic slides and imaging results are distributed prior to meeting. Often includes case presentation by residents and illustrates advances in disease classification and diagnostic technique.

Overall learning objectives for the meeting

At the end of the meeting participants will:

  1. Describe recent developments in several areas of neuropathology with particular emphasis on advances in muscle biopsy interpretation and in the understanding of neurodegenerative diseases.
  2. Discuss original research and challenging diagnostic cases with colleagues.
  3. Reinforce best practices in neuropathology on an individual and departmental level across Canadian centres.

Program

President’s Welcome Reception will be Wednesday, October 22 – 7:00-9:00pm
 Professional Development Centre – Room 103

The program is in development and updates will be posted and circulated as they become available.

1500-1800

Resident Workshop: Interactive Microscopy in Neuromuscular Pathology (Case Based Discussion)

All trainees are invited to attend this session for case-based learning and    discussion around the diverse pathology that can be encountered within  muscle and nerve biopsies. A variety of cases will be presented by an invited panel of staff neuropathologists with interest and experience in neuromuscular pathology.  

Objectives:

  1. Review the key histological features of various neuromuscular diseases including inflammatory myopathies, muscular dystrophies, congenital myopathies.
  2. Formulate differential diagnoses for various histopathologic patterns of neuromuscular disease.
  3. Discuss the appropriate handling and workup of muscle and nerve biopsies.

Presenters:

Dr. Benjamin Ellezam
Dr. Jeffrey Joseph
Dr. Peter Schutz
Dr. Leslie Hamilton

Overview of cases to be presented – CLICK HERE

View the images for the Workshop cases – CLICK HERE

 Kinnear Centre
Room 305
1800-1900 Break
1900-2100 President’s Welcome Reception Professional Development Centre – Room 103
0700-0800 Breakfast

Vistas Restaurant

Sally Borden Building, 3rd Floor
0715-0800 Registration  Kinnear Centre (KC)
Galleria South & Central 300 (3rd Floor)
0800-0815 Opening Remarks
Cynthia Hawkins, CANP President
Veronica Hirsch-Reinshagen, CANP Secretary-Treasurer		 Kinnear Centre
Room 303 (3rd Floor)
0815-0915

David Roberston Lecture

Topic: Pathomechanisms at the interface of neurological infectious and immune disorders

At the end of this session participants will be able:

  1. To gain familiarity with clinical features of contemporary CNS viral infections;
  2. To have an understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms underlying contemporary CNS viral infections,
  3. To be aware of the treatment options for contemporary CNS viral infections

Moderator: Dr. Cynthia Hawkins & Veronica Hirsch-Reinshagen

Dr. Christopher Power, University of Alberta

 
0915-1030

Session 1: Neurodegenerative Diseases

Moderator: Dr. Ian Mackenzie

At the end of this session participants will be able to:

  1. Review new research topics in neurodegenerative diseases.
  2. Summarize most important findings of different research projects in neurodegenerative diseases.
  3. Integrate the relevance of these findings into the broader landscape of clinical neuropathology practice.
 Kinnear Centre
Room 303 (3rd Floor)
0915-0927  Abstract 1
Decoding the diseased brain: Using machine learning to gain comprehensive understanding of neurodegenerative diseases.		  Dr. A. Kim
0927-0939 Abstract 2
The relevance of identifying limbic neuronal synuclein pathology in multiple system atrophy.		  Dr. G. Kovacs
0939-0951 Abstract 3
Spinal cord α-synuclein mapping in Parkinson’s disease.		  Dr. P Kakodhar
0951-1003 Abstract 4
Comparison of co-pathologies in CTE-NC and GGT and case report of an ex-football player.		  Dr. S. Forrest
1003-1015 Abstract 5
Does the HLA locus have relevance in progressive supranuclear palsy?		 Dr. S. Forrest
1015-1027 Abstract 6
Cognitive subtyping in schizophrenia reveals distinct clinicopathologic signatures and a vascular-linked cognitive phenotype.		  Dr. N. Futhey
 1030-1100 Break KC 300
1100-1245

Diagnostic Cases I
Moderator: Dr. Laura Schmitt and Dr. Karina Martin

At the end of this session participants will be able to:

  1. Discuss the presentation and differential diagnosis of interesting cases.
  2. Summarize the most relevant features of conditions infrequently encountered in clinical neuropathology.
  3. Integrate this knowledge into your own clinical neuropathology practice.
 Kinnear Centre
Room 303 (3rd Floor)
1100-1112 Case 1 Dr. M. Gray
1112-1124 Case 2 Dr. A. Kassab
1124-1136 Case 3 Dr. A. Bourkas
1136-1148 Case 4 Dr. C. Coire
1148-1200 Case 5 Dr. C. Newell
1200-1212 Case 6 Dr. E. Stephenson
1212-1224 Case 7 Dr. C. Dunham
1224-1236 Case 8 Dr. J. Rossiter
1236-1248 CANP Announcements  
1630-2030 RCPSC NP Specialty Training Committee Meeting
Details to come		 KC 304 (3rd Floor)
0700-0815 Breakfast

Vistas Restaurant

Sally Borden Building, 3rd Floor
0730-0815 Registration Kinnear Centre (KC) Galleria South & Central 300 (3rd floor)
0815-1000

Session 2: Autopsy, pediatrics, and AI in Neuropathology
Moderator: Dr. Sumit Das

At the end of this session participants will be able to:

  1. Review emerging applications of artificial intelligence in neuropathology.
  2. Understand clinicopathological correlates and quality improvement initiatives in autopsy neuropathology.
  3. Consider novel findings in pediatric neuropathology.
 Kinnear Centre – Room 303 (3rd floor)
0815-0827 Abstract 7
Mapping the digital divide: Underrepresentation of neuropathology in large language model.		  V. Auer
0827-0839 Abstract 8
OnSight: A real time computational pathology companion for histopathology.
 Dr. P. Babaei Zadeh
0839-0851 Abstract 9
Validation framework for an AI decision support tool in intraoperative neuropathology: Protocol for a multi-phase evaluation.		 Dr. A. Bourkas
0851-0903 Abstract 10
An internal audit of neuropathology consultation for autopsies at the London Health Sciences Centre – a quality improvement project.		 Dr. H. Li
0903-0915 Abstract 11
Ischemic stroke in hypereosinophilic syndrome: A clinicopathologic study of two cases.		 Dr. K. Martin
0915-0927 Abstract 12
Neuropathological correlates of serum biomarkers during the dying process in humans.		 Dr. C. Futhey
0927-0939 Abstract 13
Brainstem cap dysplasias: Pathology and novel descriptions.		 Dr. S. Beldick
0939-0951 Abstract 14
Keratan sulfate proteoglycan is not expressed in the human fetal cerebellar system except in pontine nuclei and transitory vermal septa; not in corticospinal fasciculi caudal to internal capsule.		 Dr. H. Sarnat
1000-1030 Break KC 300
1030-1230

Session 3: Surgical and Muscle Neuropathology
Moderator: Dr. Peter Schutz

At the end of this session participants will be able to:

  1. Review new research topics in surgical neuropathology.
  2. Consider novel findings in the evaluation of muscle biopsies.
  3. Integrate the relevance of these findings into the broader landscape of clinical neuropathology practice.
 Kinnear Centre – Room 303 (3rd floor)
1030-1042 Abstract 15
Chromogenic in situ hybridization for detection of CDKN2A/B homozygous deletion.		 Dr. K. Martin
1042-1054 Abstract 16
Routine immunohistochemical assessment of mismatch repair proteins in high-grade gliomas: Retrospective analysis and clinical implications.		 Dr. J. Houpt
1054-1106 Abstract 17
Malignant transformation of craniopharyngioma with spinal metastasis: A case report and comprehensive literature review.		 Dr. P. Kakodkar
1106-1118 Abstract 18
Methylation classification in meningioma prognostication: Strengths and caveats.		 Dr. S. Eaton
1118-1130 Abstract 19
Liquid biopsy for CNS tumours.		 Dr. C. Hawkins
1130-1142 Abstract 20
Pituitary inflammatory lesions including lymphocytic hypophysitis: A 30-year single centre experience.		 Dr. M. Del Bigio
1142-1154 Abstract 21
Additional presence of LZTR1 mutation in a VGLL-fused central nervous system schwannoma with neuroblastoma-like cell dense areas.		 Dr. D. Munoz
1154-1206 Abstract 22
Histopathological and clinical features can discriminate immune from non-immune statin-induced myotoxicity.		 Dr. B. Ellezam
1206-1218 Abstract 23
Muscle biopsy findings in an infant with arthrogryposis associated with a THOC2 variant: A case report.		 Dr. L. Hamilton
1230-1330 Lunch

Vistas Restaurant

Sally Borden Building, 3rd Floor
1330-1500

Neuropathology in Practice Forum: Immunohistochemical markers for inflammatory myopathies.
Moderator: Dr. Robert Hammond

At the end of this session participants will be able to:

  1. Describe recent developments in muscle biopsy interpretation.
  2. Reinforce best practices in muscle biopsy interpretation across Canadian centres.

Short presentations:
Dr. Peter Schutz, University of British Columbia
Dr. Benjamin Ellezam, University of Montreal
1500-1530 Break  KC 300
1530-1630

Diagnostic Cases – Session II
Moderator: Dr. Leslie Hamilton

Objectives:

  1. Discuss the presentation and differential diagnosis of interesting cases.
  2. Summarize the most relevant features of conditions infrequently encountered in clinical neuropathology.
  3. Integrate this knowledge into your own clinical neuropathology practice.
 Kinnear Centre – Room 303
(3rd floor)
1530-1542 Case 9 Dr. S. Eaton
1542-1554 Case 10 Dr. J. Houpt
1554-1606 Case 11 Dr. P. Paz
1606-1618 Case 12  Dr. J. Rossiter
1618-1630 Case 13 Dr. B. Ellezam
1630-1645 CANP Announcements  
1645-1800 Break
1800-1900 CANP Banquet Reception & Social Activities Kinnear Centre – Room 101
(1st Floor)
1900-2100 CANP ANNUAL BANQUET  Kinnear Centre – Room 101
(1st Floor)

Presidential Symposium: Advanced Perspectives on Neurodegenerative Diseases

Moderators:
Dr. Cynthia Hawkins and Dr. Veronica Hirsch-Reinshagen

Symposium Objectives:

  1. Describe recent developments in the understanding of neurodegenerative diseases.
  2. Discuss pioneering original research in neurodegenerative diseases with broad clinical and basic science impact.
  3. Integrate this knowledge into your own clinical neuropathology practice.
0700-0800 Symposium Breakfast Buffet Kinnear Centre – Room 303 (3rd floor)
0715-0800 Registration Kinnear Centre (KC) Galleria South & Central 300 (3rd floor)
0750-0800 Welcome and Pre-Test Kinnear Centre – Room 303 (3rd floor)
0800-0850

Gordon Mathieson Lecture

New Approaches to Neurodegenerative Disease Diagnosis and Research

 Dr. Ian Mackenzie, University of British Columbia
0850-0940

Invited Lecture

The role of genetics in understanding the pathophysiology  of neurodegenerative diseases.

 Dr. Rosa Rademakers, VIB-UAntwerp Center for Molecular Neurology
0940-1000 Break KC 300
1000-1050

Invited Lecture

The role of spatially defined omics in understanding the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases.

 Dr. Edward Lee, University of Pennsylvania
1050-1140

Jerzy Olszewski Lecture

Vascular dementia

Dr. Eric Smith, University of Calgary
1140-1230

Invited Lecture

Insights of population-based studies into the pathological determinants of dementia

 Dr. Julie Schneider, Rush University
1230-1245 Post-Test; Resident prizes; Closing remarks, Adjournment
Dr. Cynthia Hawkins and Dr. Veronica Hirsch-Reinshagen
Printed programs will not be available on site. If you would like a printed copy of the program, abstracts and diagnostic cases, a PDF link will be added closer to the meeting to download and print.
Travel Bursaries

The Canadian Association of Neuropathologists Endowment Trust has established a grant program to assist residents in Neuropathology or other accredited Laboratory Medicine Residency training programs, as well as undergraduate and postgraduate students in Neuroscience, to attend the Annual Meeting of the Association for the purpose of presenting a diagnostic case or delivering an abstract.

The total amount in this award program will be a maximum of $3,000 per year, and the value of each award will be this sum divided by the number of eligible applicants, up to a maximum of $750 per applicant.

This program is intended to supplement existing funding and will only cover expenses not otherwise or only partially reimbursed. Payment of the award will normally be contingent upon submission of original receipts.

To apply, submit a letter from a co-author who is a Member in good standing of the Association describing the nature of the applicant’s participation in the presentation to the Secretary-Treasurer of the CANP.

Deadline to submit is two weeks after the close of the Annual Meeting each year.

Program 2025
Abstracts 2025
Diagnostic Cases 2025
Travel Bursaries

The Canadian Association of Neuropathologists Endowment Trust has established a grant program to assist residents in Neuropathology or other accredited Laboratory Medicine Residency training programs, as well as undergraduate and postgraduate students in Neuroscience, to attend the Annual Meeting of the Association for the purpose of presenting a diagnostic case or delivering an abstract.

The total amount in this award program will be a maximum of $3,000 per year, and the value of each award will be this sum divided by the number of eligible applicants, up to a maximum of $750 per applicant.

This program is intended to supplement existing funding and will only cover expenses not otherwise or only partially reimbursed. Payment of the award will normally be contingent upon submission of original receipts.

To apply, submit a letter from a co-author who is a Member in good standing of the Association describing the nature of the applicant’s participation in the presentation to the Secretary-Treasurer of the CANP.

Deadline to submit is two weeks after the close of the Annual Meeting each year.

Overview of Presenter Conflict Declarations
Presenters with no conflicts

Vladimir Auer
Parsa Babaei Zadeh
Stephanie Beldick
Adrienn Bourkas
Claire Coire
Sumit Das
Marc Del Bigio
Phedias Diamandis
Christopher Dunham
Shane Eaton
Benjamin Ellezam
Shelley Forrest
Naomi Futhey
Peter Gould
Madison Gray
Jacob A. Houpt
Pramath Kakodkar
Ali Kassab
Julia Keith
Ain Kim
Kristopher Langdon
Hao Li
Karina Martin
David Miunoz
Christopher Newell
Priscilla Paz
Christopher Power
John Rossiter
Harvey Sarnat
Laura Schmitt
Julie Schneider
Peter Schutz
Erin Stephenson

Presenters with conflicts

Leslie Hamilton
Any direct financial payments including receipt of honoraria
Name of for-profit or not-for-profit organization(s) : National Autopsy Assay Group
Description of relationship(s) : Consultant Neuropathologist (not related to content of presentation)

Robert Hammond
Any direct financial payments including receipt of honoraria
Name of for-profit or not-for-profit organization(s) : MedCBL
Description of relationship(s) : President

Cynthia Hawkins
Any direct financial payments including receipt of honoraria
Name of for-profit or not-for-profit organization(s) : Servier Canada
Description of relationship(s) : Honorarium

Veronica Hirsch-Reinshagen
Any direct financial payments including receipt of honoraria
Name of for-profit or not-for-profit organization(s) : CIHR; ASC
Description of relationship(s) : I receive funding from CIHR and the Alzheimer Society of Canada

Gabor Kovacs
Any direct financial payments including receipt of honoraria
Name of for-profit or not-for-profit organization(s) : Mitsubishi-Tanabe, Ferrer companies
Description of relationship(s) : Single consultation
Name of for-profit or not-for-profit organization(s) : 5G4 synuclein antibody
Description of relationship(s) : Patent

Edward Lee
Any direct financial payments including receipt of honoraria
Name of for-profit or not-for-profit organization(s) : Eli Lilly (Prevail Therapeutics)
Description of relationship(s) : Consulting Fees (unrelated to the topic of my talk)

Name of for-profit or not-for-profit organization(s) : South Texas ADRC, Florida ADRC, Washington University EAB
Description of relationship(s) : External Advisory Board Member for Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers in academic non-profit centers

Name of for-profit or not-for-profit organization(s) : NIH, Chan-Zuckerberg Institute, Delaware Community Foundation
Description of relationship(s) : Research grants (paid to my institution)

Name of for-profit or not-for-profit organization(s) : Patent for VCP Activators

Ian Mackenzie
Any direct financial payments including receipt of honoraria
Name of for-profit or not-for-profit organization(s) : Eli Lilly
Description of relationship(s) : paid consultant

Name of for-profit or not-for-profit organization(s) : AFTD
Description of relationship(s) : member of grants and research advisory committee

Name of for-profit or not-for-profit organization(s) : NIH, CIHR, Alzheimer Society
Description of relationship(s) : grant recipient

Name of for-profit or not-for-profit organization(s) : Athena, AviadoBio
Description of relationship(s) : patent holder receiving license payments

Rosa Rademakers
Any direct financial payments including receipt of honoraria
Name of for-profit or not-for-profit organization(s) : Kissick Family Foundation Scientific , Alzheimer Fondation
Description of relationship(s) : paid member of scientific advisory board

Name of for-profit or not-for-profit organization(s) : AFTD, Foundation Alzheimer Research (SAO) Belgium
Description of relationship(s) : non-paid scientific advisory board member

Name of for-profit or not-for-profit organization(s) : Department of defense, NIH, FWO (Flanders research organization)
Description of relationship(s) : provided funding for research