The American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, has expanded its International Stroke Conference with multiple pre-conference symposia scheduled for February 3, 2026, ahead of the main conference in New Orleans from February 4-6, 2026. The additions underscore the Association's commitment to advancing stroke and brain health science across multiple disciplines, from nursing and clinical practice to health equity and basic research.
The International Stroke Conference is the world's premier global event dedicated to stroke and brain health. The pre-conference symposia provide in-depth exploration of specialized topics, allowing attendees to gain targeted knowledge before the main conference begins.
One of the key symposia is the State-of-the-Science Stroke Nursing Symposium, running from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CT. This forum provides updates on nursing topics related to stroke care, including prevention, management, rehabilitation, and program development. Presentations will cover the top 10 changes in the acute ischemic stroke 2025 guidelines that impact nursing, early palliative interventions to promote positive outcomes, unifying stroke care, and connecting stroke survivors with the healthcare system.
New this year is the Brain Health Pre-Con Symposium (8:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CT), reflecting the Association's growing commitment to fostering science that supports optimal brain function across the lifespan. This symposium explores the intersection of vascular neurology, cognitive neuroscience, aging, and public health. Session topics include the heart-brain connection, post-stroke cognitive and mental health problems, and the use of AI to improve brain health.
The HEADS-UP - Health Equity and Actionable Disparities in Stroke: Understanding and Problem-solving symposium (8:30 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. CT) is a multidisciplinary scientific forum focusing on race-ethnic disparities in cerebrovascular disease. It aims to reduce disparities and accelerate translation of research to improve outcomes for race-ethnic minorities in the US. HEADS-UP is a collaborative initiative with the American Stroke Association and the National Institutes for Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). Details are available in the Program Planner.
Stroke in Practice: Stroke Lagniappe (formerly Stroke in the Real World) runs from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CT, highlighting scientific advances in cerebrovascular disease while emphasizing their application in real-world settings. This year's topic addresses challenges in acute stroke management.
Experimental Stroke Science (formerly Stroke in the Lab World) also runs from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CT, focusing on promising new developments in the lab and their possible effects on future stroke treatment. Topics include intracerebral hemorrhage immunology, subarachnoid hemorrhage, leukocytes, intracerebral hemorrhage pathophysiology, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, and intraventricular hemorrhages.
According to the American Heart Association's 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics, stroke is now the #4 leading cause of death in the United States, underscoring the importance of continued research and education.
Media interested in attending can register here. The American Stroke Association receives more than 85% of its revenue from sources other than corporations, including individuals, foundations, and estates. Corporate donations are strictly prevented from influencing science content or policy positions.
