October 2025

NEUROSCIENCES

ADVANCING PRECISION MEDICINE IN NEUROLOGY: NORTHWESTERN MEDICINE AT ANA 2025

Northwestern Medicine played a leading role at the ANA 2025 Annual Meeting, where our faculty showcased pioneering research and clinical innovations that are shaping the future of precision medicine in neurology. This year also marks the first term of Dimitri Krainc, MD, PhD, chair of Neurology at Northwestern Medicine, as president of the American Neurological Association (ANA).
 
Below are select highlights from the meeting.
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Georgia Minakaki, PhD
Unraveling Skin-Nerve Communication in Peripheral Neuropathic Pain Through Innovative Omics Approaches
 
Daniela Menichella, MD, PhD, presented an interactive workshop titled "Advancing Neuropathic Pain Research: Novel Technologies and the Path to Precision Medicine." In her presentation, Dr. Menichella explored the role of novel molecular approaches in understanding the communication pathways between nerves and skin in neuropathic pain.
 
Dr. Menichella’s work, supported by the NIH’s HEAL Initiative, was highlighted by Walter Koroshetz, MD, director of NINDS, underscoring its national impact.
 
Dr. Menichella also serves on the ANA Annual Meeting Programming Committee and contributes as an abstract reviewer.
 
Commander Complex Regulates Lysosomal Function and Is Implicated in Parkinson’s Risk
 
The ANA 2025 committee selected an abstract by Georgia Minakaki, PhD abstract for oral presentation and it was showcased during the Neurodegeneration and Cell Death special interest group session. This research builds on a collaborative study with Nathaniel Safren published in Science in April 2025, titled "Commander complex regulates lysosomal function and is implicated in Parkinson’s disease risk."
 
Dr. Minakaki’s poster was recognized as an abstract of distinction and she was honored as a recipient of the ANA 2025 Poster Award.
 
Additional Northwestern Medicine contributors across ANA 2025 include:
Daniela Menichella, MD, PhD, is an associate professor of Neuromuscular Disease and of Pharmacology at Northwestern Medicine.
Georgia Minakaki, PhD, is a research assistant professor of Movement Disorders at Northwestern Medicine. 

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