On March 30, Professor Mark Steven Freedman of the University of Ottawa, former Chair of the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis, visited the First Affiliated Hospital (FAH) of Xi’an Jiaotong University (XJTU) at its Land Port Division to conduct academic exchanges on the diagnosis and treatment of rare neurological diseases. He also attended the third session of the 2026 Challenging Case Seminar.
The seminar was chaired by Jia Rui, Associate Chief Physician from the Department of Neurology. Attendees included Zhang Yurong, Vice President of the Qinghai Hospital, relevant representatives from the Land Port Division, and the Rare Neurological Diseases Team of the Department of Neurology. Yu Jia, Deputy Director, welcomed Professor Freedman and noted his profound expertise in neuroimmunological diseases such as multiple sclerosis, adding that the exchanges will bring international momentum to the department’s development. Pang Liang, Deputy Director of Comprehensive Administration Office, introduced an overview of the FAH and the Land Port Division, and stated that the FAH will explore the establishment of a regular international consultation mechanism to further deepen international clinical and research collaboration.
During the seminar, the team conducted case consultations centered on three challenging cases of multiple sclerosis and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody-associated disease. Drawing on the specific features of each case, Professor Freedman carried out on-site history taking and physical examination. For atypical cases, he advised completing further investigations and conducting dynamic follow-up. For relapsing and refractory cases, he proposed an acute-phase treatment plan combining plasma exchanges with disease-modifying therapy. For patients with MOGAD, he recommended an interleukin-6 receptor antagonist to prevent relapse.
After the seminar, Professor Freedman went into the wards to conduct bedside rounds and provide clinical guidance, and visited the outpatient clinic of the Department of Neurology to learn about the diagnostic and treatment workflow.
The international exchanges brought frontier experience to the FAH’s diagnosis and treatment of rare neurological diseases and broadened clinical perspectives. Looking ahead, the Land Port Division will continue to deepen international cooperation and multidisciplinary collaboration, refine the diagnostic and treatment system for challenging cases, and steadily enhance specialty capabilities, so as to deliver higher-quality medical services for patients.
