Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The "Community Meets Clinic" podcast series introduces clinicians and healthcare personnel specializing in rare neuroimmune disorders. In this episode, Krissy Dilger of SRNA spoke with Dr. Ayşe Altıntaş, Professor of Neurology at Koç University School of Medicine in Istanbul, Turkey, which has been designated as a Center of Excellence in Rare Neuroimmune Disorders. Dr. Altıntaş described the unmet needs in rare neuroimmune disorders and noted her role on an international panel developing updated NMOSD diagnostic criteria [00:03:40]. She outlined current research on mechanisms of optic neuritis, pregnancy complications and aquaporin-4 antibodies, and developing accessible biomarkers beyond CSF with a future goal of remote monitoring [00:06:01]. Dr. Altıntaş also explained Koç University’s multidisciplinary demyelinating disease center model, emphasizing coordinated consultations, advanced MRI capabilities, shared decision-making, and the value of specialized centers, while expressing hope due to rapid advances in biomarkers and targeted therapies [00:11:43]. You can view the medical profile of Dr. Ayşe Altıntaş here:
https://www.kuh.ku.edu.tr/doctors/ayse-altintas
Ayşe Altıntaş, MD is a professor of neurology at Koç University School of Medicine in Istanbul, Türkiye. She graduated from Ege University Faculty of Medicine in 1986 and completed her neurology residency there in 1992. She received early training in neuroimmunology as a fellow at Mayo Clinic under Prof. Moses Rodriguez and later continued her research at Mayo Clinic with Prof. Claudia Lucchinetti and Prof. Brian Weinshenker, focusing on the animal model, immunopathology, and imaging correlates of multiple sclerosis.
Prof. Altıntaş served at Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa School of Medicine for 23 years before joining Koç University in 2018, where she established a neuroimmunology laboratory and continues to lead clinical and translational research. Her work focuses on multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) and MOG antibody-associated diseases (MOGAD), with an emphasis on biomarkers and disease mechanisms. She is actively involved in international organizations, including BioMS-eu, The MOG Project, Siegel Rare Neuroimmune Association (SRNA), MEDEN, the MSBase Scientific Leadership Group, and the Guthy-Jackson Charitable Foundation International Scientific Consortium.
00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro
01:39 Why Neurology
03:40 Choosing Rare Disorders
06:01 Current Research Projects
11:43 Clinic Team and Workflow
15:48 Advanced Imaging and Coordination
17:20 Self Care and Balance
20:20 Advice for New Patients
22:17 Hope for the Future
24:34 Closing
The "Community Meets Clinic" podcast series introduces clinicians and healthcare personnel specializing in rare neuroimmune disorders. In this episode, Krissy Dilger of SRNA spoke with Dr. Ayşe Altıntaş, Professor of Neurology at Koç University School of Medicine in Istanbul, Turkey, which has been designated as a Center of Excellence in Rare Neuroimmune Disorders. Dr. Altıntaş described the unmet needs in rare neuroimmune disorders and noted her role on an international panel developing updated NMOSD diagnostic criteria [00:03:40]. She outlined current research on mechanisms of optic neuritis, pregnancy complications and aquaporin-4 antibodies, and developing accessible biomarkers beyond CSF with a future goal of remote monitoring [00:06:01]. Dr. Altıntaş also explained Koç University’s multidisciplinary demyelinating disease center model, emphasizing coordinated consultations, advanced MRI capabilities, shared decision-making, and the value of specialized centers, while expressing hope due to rapid advances in biomarkers and targeted therapies [00:11:43]. You can view the medical profile of Dr. Ayşe Altıntaş here:
https://www.kuh.ku.edu.tr/doctors/ayse-altintas
Ayşe Altıntaş, MD is a professor of neurology at Koç University School of Medicine in Istanbul, Türkiye. She graduated from Ege University Faculty of Medicine in 1986 and completed her neurology residency there in 1992. She received early training in neuroimmunology as a fellow at Mayo Clinic under Prof. Moses Rodriguez and later continued her research at Mayo Clinic with Prof. Claudia Lucchinetti and Prof. Brian Weinshenker, focusing on the animal model, immunopathology, and imaging correlates of multiple sclerosis.
Prof. Altıntaş served at Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa School of Medicine for 23 years before joining Koç University in 2018, where she established a neuroimmunology laboratory and continues to lead clinical and translational research. Her work focuses on multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) and MOG antibody-associated diseases (MOGAD), with an emphasis on biomarkers and disease mechanisms. She is actively involved in international organizations, including BioMS-eu, The MOG Project, Siegel Rare Neuroimmune Association (SRNA), MEDEN, the MSBase Scientific Leadership Group, and the Guthy-Jackson Charitable Foundation International Scientific Consortium.
00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro
01:39 Why Neurology
03:40 Choosing Rare Disorders
06:01 Current Research Projects
11:43 Clinic Team and Workflow
15:48 Advanced Imaging and Coordination
17:20 Self Care and Balance
20:20 Advice for New Patients
22:17 Hope for the Future
24:34 Closing
