Harvard Update on Neurology and Psychiatry of Women 2026

Harvard Update on Neurology and Psychiatry of Women 2026 is a Harvard Medical School continuing medical education program focused on women’s neurology, reproductive psychiatry, hormone-related neurological disorders, and evidence-based management of neurological and psychiatric conditions throughout the female lifespan.

Course Overview

The Harvard Update on Neurology and Psychiatry of Women 2026 provides an interdisciplinary review of neurological and psychiatric disorders affecting women from menarche through pregnancy, the postpartum period, and menopause.

Developed for healthcare professionals involved in women’s neurological and mental health, this program examines the influence of biological sex, reproductive hormones, and major life transitions on disease presentation, treatment selection, and clinical outcomes.

The educational content emphasizes practical, evidence-based strategies for managing migraine, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, functional neurological disorders, mood disorders, perinatal psychiatric conditions, sleep disturbances, and other important aspects of women’s health.

Through expert-led presentations, interactive discussions, clinical case reviews, and question-and-answer sessions, participants explore contemporary approaches to individualized neurological and psychiatric care.

Course Details

• Course Title: Harvard Update on Neurology and Psychiatry of Women 2026
• Institution: Harvard Medical School
• Offered By: Brigham and Women’s Hospital
• Course Dates: May 7–8, 2026
• Duration: Two Days
• Educational Format: Live Online Course
• Specialties: Neurology, Psychiatry, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Internal Medicine, Women’s Health, and Primary Care
• Educational Focus: Sex-Specific Neurological and Psychiatric Care Across the Female Lifespan

Target Audience

This educational program is particularly relevant for:

• Neurologists
• Psychiatrists
• Obstetricians and Gynecologists
• Sleep Medicine Specialists
• Addiction Medicine Specialists
• Primary Care Physicians
• Internal Medicine Physicians
• Psychologists
• Physician Assistants
• Nurse Practitioners
• Registered Nurses
• Medical Students
• Residents and Fellows

Program Overview

The course examines how sex-specific biological factors and hormonal transitions influence neurological and psychiatric conditions in women.

Participants review clinical considerations related to contraception, pregnancy, postpartum care, menopause, neurological disease management, reproductive psychiatry, and mental health treatment.

Special attention is given to multidisciplinary decision-making, medication safety considerations, individualized therapeutic strategies, and the application of current clinical evidence to complex patient presentations.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this educational activity, participants should be able to:

1. Integrate sex- and hormone-specific evidence into individualized treatment plans for neurologic and psychiatric disorders.
2. Analyze therapeutic risks and benefits across key hormonal transitions to optimize outcomes and minimize adverse effects.
3. Implement guideline-concordant care pathways tailored to women’s neurologic and psychiatric health needs.

Official Program Topics

Day 1 — Thursday, May 7, 2026

Migraine and Women

• Speaker: Carolyn Bernstein
• Time: 8:00–8:50 AM

Q&A

• Carolyn Bernstein
• Time: 8:50–9:00 AM

Contraception in Women with Neurologic and Psychiatric Disorders

• Speaker: Adrian Chiem
• Time: 9:00–9:50 AM

Q&A

• Adrian Chiem
• Time: 9:50–10:00 AM

Break

• Time: 10:00–10:10 AM

Functional Neurological Disorder – A Case-Based Panel Discussion

• Speakers: Nathan Praschan; Barbara Dworetzky
• Time: 10:10–11:00 AM

Q&A

• Barbara Dworetzky; Nathan Praschan
• Time: 11:00–11:10 AM

Autonomic Disorders in Women

• Speaker: Aditi Varma-Doyle
• Time: 11:10 AM–12:00 PM

Q&A

• Aditi Varma-Doyle
• Time: 12:00–12:10 PM

Lunch

• Time: 12:10–12:50 PM

Bipolar Disorder and Psychosis in Pregnancy

• Speaker: Amanda Koire
• Time: 12:50–1:40 PM

Q&A

• Amanda Koire
• Time: 1:40–1:50 PM

Sleep Disorders

• Speaker: Milena Pavlova
• Time: 1:50–2:40 PM

Q&A

• Milena Pavlova
• Time: 2:40–2:50 PM

Break

• Time: 2:50–3:00 PM

Sexual Health and Treatment of Sexual Dysfunction in Women

• Speaker: Nichola Haddad
• Time: 3:00–3:50 PM

Q&A

• Nichola Haddad
• Time: 3:50–4:00 PM

Trauma Informed Care

• Speaker: Nomi Levy-Carrick
• Time: 4:00–4:50 PM

Q&A

• Nomi Levy-Carrick
• Time: 4:50–5:00 PM

Day 2 — Friday, May 8, 2026

Pregnancy – What the Non-OB Needs to Know

• Speaker: Nicole Smith
• Time: 8:00–8:50 AM

Q&A

• Nicole Smith
• Time: 8:50–9:00 AM

Multiple Sclerosis

• Speaker: Maria Houtchens
• Time: 9:00–9:50 AM

Q&A

• Maria Houtchens
• Time: 9:50–10:00 AM

Break

• Time: 10:00–10:10 AM

Epilepsy Across the Lifespan

• Speaker: Paula Emanuela Voinescu
• Time: 10:10–11:00 AM

Q&A

• Paula Emanuela Voinescu
• Time: 11:00–11:10 AM

Substance Use Disorder in Perinatal Patients

• Speaker: Polina Teslyar
• Time: 11:10 AM–12:00 PM

Q&A

• Polina Teslyar
• Time: 12:00–12:10 PM

Lunch

• Time: 12:10–12:40 PM

Women’s Health Trainees

• Speaker: Tal Friedman-Korn
• Time: 12:40–12:50 PM

Perinatal Anxiety and Depression

• Speaker: Natalie Feldman
• Time: 12:50–1:40 PM

Q&A

• Natalie Feldman
• Time: 1:40–1:50 PM

Hormonally Mediated Mood Issues Across the Life Span

• Speaker: Margo Nathan
• Time: 1:50–2:40 PM

Q&A

• Margo Nathan
• Time: 2:40–2:50 PM

Break

• Time: 2:50–3:00 PM

Stroke and Vascular Disease in Women

• Speaker: Kenda Alhadid
• Time: 3:00–3:50 PM

Q&A

• Kenda Alhadid
• Time: 3:50–4:00 PM

Common Neurology Consults in Pregnancy

• Speaker: Mary O’Neal
• Time: 4:00–4:50 PM

Q&A

• Mary O’Neal
• Time: 4:50–5:00 PM

Not a Niche – A Necessity: The Importance of Women’s Neurology Training

• Speaker: Tal Friedman-Korn
• Time: 5:00–5:15 PM

All scheduled times are Eastern Time.

Major Topics Covered

• Women’s Neurology and Reproductive Psychiatry
• Migraine and Hormonal Headaches
• Contraception in Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders
• Functional Neurological Disorders
• Autonomic Dysfunction in Women
• Bipolar Disorder and Psychosis During Pregnancy
• Sleep Disorders in Women’s Health
• Sexual Dysfunction and Sexual Health
• Trauma-Informed Psychiatric Care
• Neurological Considerations During Pregnancy
• Multiple Sclerosis and Women’s Health
• Epilepsy Across the Female Lifespan
• Perinatal Substance Use Disorders
• Perinatal Anxiety and Depression
• Hormone-Related Mood Disorders
• Stroke and Vascular Disease in Women
• Neurological Consultations During Pregnancy
• Sex-Specific and Individualized Treatment Strategies

Course Directors

Maria Houtchens, MD, MSc

• Associate Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School
• Neurologist, Brigham and Women’s Hospital

Paula Emanuela Voinescu, MD, PhD

• Course Director

Polina Teslyar, MD

• Course Director

Why This Course Is Relevant

Neurological and psychiatric disorders in women often require clinical approaches that account for hormonal fluctuations, reproductive status, medication considerations, and sex-specific differences in disease manifestation.

The Harvard Update on Neurology and Psychiatry of Women 2026 addresses these challenges through a multidisciplinary educational program connecting neurology, psychiatry, obstetrics, gynecology, and primary care.

The program is particularly relevant to clinicians managing complex neurological and psychiatric conditions during pregnancy and the postpartum period, as well as professionals seeking to improve long-term neurological and mental health care throughout women’s lives.

Its focus on evidence-based management, clinically relevant case discussions, and individualized treatment approaches supports practical learning across multiple medical specialties.

Short Description

Harvard Update on Neurology and Psychiatry of Women 2026 is a two-day Harvard Medical School continuing education program covering women’s neurology, reproductive psychiatry, migraine, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, perinatal mental health, hormonal mood disorders, stroke, and neurological care during pregnancy. Featuring expert-led lectures and case-based discussions, the course explores evidence-based, sex-specific approaches to neurological and psychiatric conditions throughout women’s lives.

+ Topics:

• Migraine and Women

• Contraception in Women with Neurologic and Psychiatric Disorders

• Functional Neurological Disorder- a case based panel discussion

• Autonomic Disorders in Women

• Bipolar Disorder and Psychosis in Pregnancy

• Sleep Disorders

• Sexual Health and Treatment of Sexual Dysfunction in Women

• Trauma Informed Care

• Pregnancy- What The Non-OB Needs to Know

• Multiple Sclerosis

• Epilepsy across the lifespan

• Substance Use Disorder in Perinatal Patients

• Women’s Health Trainees

• Perinatal Anxiety and Depression

• Hormonally mediated mood issues across the life span

• Stoke and Vascular Disease in Women

• Common Neurology Consults in Pregnancy

• Not a Niche – A Necessity: The Importance of Women’s Neurology Training