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Fall Virtual Symposium
2025 ASNM Fall Virtual Symposium
Theme: EMG: More Than Meets the Muscle
Saturday, September 20, 2025 | Starting at 8:00 AM CT | Virtual
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Join us for the 2026 ASNM Fall Virtual Symposium, an immersive and interactive program designed for neurophysiological monitoring professionals, featuring expert-led sessions, live panel discussions, and networking with peers and sponsors — all from the convenience of your screen.
We took the path of focusing on stimulation and recording strategies as these are often overlooked or relegated to the introduction of a paper or talk.
Program Highlights
Block 1 focuses on stimulation of the motor (and perhaps speech/language) cortex.
The first talk will provide an overview of the various safety hazards associated with stimulation of the central nervous system. Attendees will learn the differences between excitotoxicity vs. thermal injury among other hazards of brain stimulation, along with parameters / techniques to minimize this. Dr. Miksom is an expert in the field of bioelectric safety (https://www.neuralengr.org/bikson)
The second talk will address the significance of the much larger pulse durations (500usec) that are now more widely available (which were used and validated by much of the early work on Tce-MEPs). The talk will focus on the implications of this change, and will address the relationship between pulse duration, stimulus intensity, and threshold charge and energy as well as activation depth. JP Clark has given intriguing lectures on MEP activation physiology at ASNM in the past and is a very engaging speaker.
The third talk in this section will serve as a response / rebuttal to the webinar presented by Dr. Wilkinson last fall (It’s worth noting that Dr. Wilkinson was suggested as a speaker at an ASNM annual meeting, but this was decided against given the controversy of some of his methods/assumptions. At the conclusion of his webinar, multiple attendees questioned the effects of anesthesia on the CMAP latencies via synaptic delay, but these were not properly addressed). Rob Minahan was one of those attendees who spoke to this. Rob is experienced with MEPs (and published some of the first false negative case reports of SSEPs following scoliosis correction using neurogenic MEPs and eloquently described the physiologic basis of the error in this method).
The final talk of this session will focus on the problem of increased seizure risk during mapping in pediatric epilepsy surgery. Ben Kennedy is the anchor author on a recently published paper reviewing low-frequency stimulation for brain mapping. He is a pediatric neurosurgeon at CHOP and has published extensively, including a study co-authored with Lenke on IONM recovery during spinal deformity correction. Francesco Sala recently published a paper on a similar topic – focused on risk factors for intraop seizures. He would be an excellent alternate speaker.
Block 2 switches gears to focus on stimulation paradigms for the peripheral nervous system.
The first talk, by Atsushi Sato – with five pubs on VEPs, will focus on successful stimulation parameters for VEPs. His work on the ON and OFF response is of great value, and newer equipment releases in the IONM space allow for modulation of the VEP PW, making this a timely and relevant talk.
The second talk will focus on SSEP stimulation safety – this seems to be b continuing (and perhaps growing) issue in our field, with small skin burns becoming more common. Mark Stecker needs to introduction – and is well-suited to speak on this topic of electrode – skin interface and stimulation safety.
Talk three, by Dr. Lazzi at USC, will address the issue of peripheral nerve safety (very few standards/guidelines exist in our field’s literature, regarding the safety limits of direct cranial nerve or spinal root stimulation, yet this question is being asked (in my experience) more and more frequently. The differences between intra- and extra-cranial segments of CNs as well as intra- and extra-thecal spinal root segments will be emphasized.
The final talk of this block will focus on stim parameter optimization for reflexes (and the anatomic/physiologic basis for this). Ron Leppanen, who last year achieved emeritus status did significant early work on this and would be an excellent choice.
Block 3 will again switch gears and focus on recording rather than stimulation parameters for SSEPs, CMAPs, and BAEPs.
The first talk – a whole talk dedicated to the dipole orientation of the SSEP cortical and sub-cortical components is worthwhile. This is helpful for phase reversal, but a deep look at N13, P14, and N18 (and the activity they may or may NOT reflect), and WHY different electrode pairs will accentuate one and not the other would be a great “technical tips” talk. Some older literature may also be incorporated, reviewing the generators for other lesser-known SSEP waveforms. Bob Holdefer and Jefferson Slimp wrote an excellent chapter on SSEPs in Chris Loftus’ book that details this well.
The second talk – by Matt Hoffman will focus on optimal recording of Tce-MEP (or tr-EMG) CMAPs. Matt recently gave a talk on this last fall, but the focus here should more specific – that is, where to place electrodes for optimal signal amplitude. Furthermore, a deeper dive into the temporal aspect of CMAP propagation through long muscles, which may in turn affect the recorded latency based on electrode placement.
The last talk will focus on the lesser-used or known BAEP components, such as the cochlear microphonic and direct nerve APs. Crystal Pitts is an audiologist at our hospital and trained under Paul Kileny. She has given internal talks on BAEPs and is great at explaining the differences between the utility of each waveform, and what it represents. It is a very down-to-earth talk with many examples.
Engage Live
Each content block concludes with a live Q&A, giving you the opportunity to ask questions and hear practical insights directly from leading experts in the field.
Virtual Networking & Exhibits
Between sessions, visit our virtual exhibit hall, connect with sponsors, and network with colleagues from across the globe.
Why Attend?
- Learn the latest trends, techniques, and challenges in EMG monitoring.
- Participate in real-time discussions with international speakers and moderators.
- Access recordings of all sessions after the event — perfect for review or if you’re called into the OR.
Mark your calendar and join us for a day of practical learning, professional discussion, and collaboration.
Registration is now open — secure your spot today!
Register
| Registration | |
| Member | $250 |
| Non-Member | $300 |
| Student | $95 |
Agenda
