Programming - International Stroke Conference
Pre-Cons and Stroke Nursing Symposia: February 3, 2026
Sessions: February 4–6, 2026
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center | New Orleans, Louisiana
Sessions: February 4–6, 2026
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center | New Orleans, Louisiana
#ISC26 Programming has something for everyone
Keep checking this page and the other program pages for updated speakers, titles and more. See the Schedule-at-a-Glance below, and explore the Learning Objectives for the activities.
Visit the 2026 Online Program Planner or scroll down to see a schedule-at-a-glance for the ISC sessions. Onsite, use the Mobile Meeting Guide app to create and save your personal schedule.
ISC 2026 Schedule-at-a-Glance
All times are listed in Central Standard Time (CST) (UTC - 6)
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. |
|
| 9:15 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. |
|
| 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. |
Opening Main Event
|
| 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. |
|
| 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. |
|
| 3:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. |
|
| 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. |
|
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. |
|
| 9:15 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. |
|
| 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. |
Thursday Main Event
|
| 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. |
|
| 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. |
|
| 3:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. |
|
| 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. |
|
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. |
|
| 9:15 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. |
|
| 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. |
Closing Main Event
|
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of the International Stroke Conference 2026, participants should be able to:
- Identify recent advances in basic models of stroke and their translation to clinical research.
- Evaluate recent advances in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and rehabilitation of cerebrovascular disease.
- Analyze new and ongoing advances in clinical research through late-breaking science and ongoing clinical trials sessions.
- Discuss new research, treatments and interventions with scientists and investigators working in all areas of cerebrovascular disease.
- Interpret the rapidly changing areas within the stroke spectrum such as emerging options for the diagnosis and treatment of acute stroke, mechanisms of stroke recovery, and the impact of vascular cognitive impairment.
- Appraise the diverse challenges presented by cerebrovascular disease to specific populations, including ethnic and racial minorities, women, children, and developing communities.
At the conclusion of the Brain Health Pre-Conference Symposium, participants should be able to:
- Describe the interconnections between the heart and the brain as it relates to brain health.
- Discuss post stroke cognitive and mental health issues including depression, post stroke dementia and loneliness, and resilience after life changing events.
- Identify modifiable factors related to maintaining a healthy brain.
- Describe the role of creativity through art and music and how it may affect brain health.
At the conclusion of the Experimental Stroke Science Pre-Conference Symposium, participants should be able to:
- Analyze the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying intracerebral and subarachnoid hemorrhage, including roles of immune cells, complement pathways, and neuroinflammatory processes.
- Evaluate emerging therapeutic targets and strategies—such as modulation of microglia/macrophage activity, ferroptosis pathways, epigenetic regulation, and endothelial function—to mitigate secondary brain injury and improve outcomes.
- Apply current evidence on neurovascular protection and repair mechanisms, including hypoxic conditioning, biomarker development, and choroid plexus signaling, to guide clinical and translational research initiatives.
- Develop approaches to prevent and manage complications of hemorrhagic stroke, such as edema, hydrocephalus, axonal degeneration, and thrombolysis/reperfusion-associated hemorrhage, through innovative interventions and system-based practices.
At the conclusion of the HEADS-UP Pre-Conference Symposium, participants should be able to:
- Analyze methodological considerations and lessons learned from designing and conducting randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), including challenges and solutions for data integrity and feasibility.
- Evaluate strategies to enhance sustainability, generalizability, and cultural relevance of stroke trials in global settings, ensuring equitable representation and applicability of findings.
- Apply principles of valid subgroup analysis and health equity frameworks to interpret trial outcomes and inform clinical decision-making in diverse populations.
- Develop evidence-based approaches for conducting health disparities research in stroke and neurology, leveraging lessons from NIH- and NINDS-supported networks and interdisciplinary models to overcome systemic barriers.
At the conclusion of the Stroke in Practice Pre-Conference Symposium, participants should be able to:
- Analyze current evidence-based strategies for managing carotid stenosis, intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), and common vascular malformations, including patient selection and procedural considerations.
- Evaluate best practices for mechanical thrombectomy and advanced imaging interpretation, including MeVo retrieval techniques and CT perfusion (CTP) analysis for optimal decision-making.
- Apply updated guidelines and clinical evidence to determine timing of anticoagulation after stroke, extended-window thrombolysis, and door-in-door-out transfer protocols to improve patient outcomes.
- Develop individualized care plans incorporating positioning strategies, patent foramen ovale (PFO) management, and multidisciplinary approaches to optimize stroke treatment across diverse clinical scenarios.
At the conclusion of the State-of-the-Science Stroke Nursing Symposium, participants should be able to:
- Analyze current evidence-based practices and emerging guidelines for the management of acute ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, including nursing-specific updates and system-wide coordination strategies.
- Evaluate innovative care delivery models, palliative interventions, and interdisciplinary approaches that improve patient outcomes and expedite stroke care across diverse healthcare settings.
- Apply strategies to enhance continuity of care for stroke survivors, ensuring effective transitions within the healthcare system and reducing gaps in post-stroke management.
- Develop actionable plans to optimize team performance, certification compliance, and quality metrics through standardized protocols and collaborative stroke response initiatives.