2026 International Conference on Spreading Depolarization (iCSD)

 Visit the iCSD Conference Website 

at iCSD2026.com

About the Conference

iCSD is a multidisciplinary annual meeting focused on the study of mechanisms and treatment of conditions where Spreading Depolarization (SD) may represent a novel therapeutic target. SD is a significantly under-recognized, massive wave of brain dysfunction that is believed to be involved in a wide range of conditions. These conditions range from headaches and migraine, to severe brain injuries such as stroke and traumatic brain injury and more recently is recognized to occur in other conditions such as brain tumors, chronic subdural hematomas, and psychiatric conditions. Emerging studies suggest that SD may play a critical role in some of the most important frontiers of neurologic discovery such as dementia, concussion, and neuro-rehabilitation.

expected Audience

The conference is a unique mix of clinical thought leaders ranging from various preclinical researchers to translational and clinical researchers. Among clinicians, neurosurgeons, neurologists, neuro-intensivists, anesthesiologists, and other fields are all represented. The program will feature keynote addresses as well as abstract presentations discussing the latest research findings related to SD. The goal is to create a collaborative, cross-disciplinary discussion, so there will be ample time for questions, discussion, and panel perspectives. We expect 80-100 physicians and researchers including residents, fellows, and postdoctoral fellows.

lEARNING oBJECTIVES

At the conclusion of the conference, participants should be able to:

• Describe the role of spreading depolarizations (SD) across a range of neurologic conditions.

• Evaluate conditions where SD directed therapies are being tested.

• Identify SD related monitoring approaches and proposed or therapies.

Conference details

participant fees

For custom registration needs, please contact Kathleen Bunch Meneses, MS at [email protected].

Optional:  Dinner at Monticello with a Tour:  $160 per person

On Sunday Sept 20, 2026, enhance your iCSD conference experience with a memorable evening at Monticello, the iconic mountaintop home of Thomas Jefferson. This optional experience includes both a group dinner and a guided tour, offering the perfect blend of local flavor, rich history, and meaningful connection with colleagues. Set against one of Virginia’s most beautiful and significant landmarks, this special event is a unique way to enrich your time in Charlottesville.

$160 per person

Tickets include:

    -  Guided tour of Monticello
    -  Lovely dinner in this historic setting
    -  Transportation to and from Monticello

Space is limited, and advance registration is required.

Registration Includes: Attendance at all educational sessions, breakfasts, lunches, refreshment breaks, and included social events.  Hotel accommodations and the dinner with tour at Monticello are not included in the registration fee.

UVA Educational Benefits:  https://hr.virginia.edu/career-development/education-benefits 

UVA Health CE Cancellation Policy: Cancellation requests received in writing no less than 30 days before the course will be refunded, less a 20% administrative fee. No refunds will be provided for cancellation requests received within 30 days or for registration fees of less than $50.  Please send cancellation requests [email protected]. UVA Health Continuing Education reserves the right to cancel CE activities if necessary.  In this case, the entire registration fee will be refunded.  All other expenses incurred in conjunction with this CE activity are the sole responsibility of the participant.

Physicians
UVA Health Continuing Education designates this live activity for a maximum of  14 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits.^TM Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Hours of Participation
UVA Health Continuing Education awards 14 hours of participation (consistent with the designated number of AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)^TM  or ANCC contact hours) to a participant who successfully completes this educational activity. UVA Health Continuing Education maintains a record of participation for six (6) years.

VISIT CHARLOTTESVILLE

Nestled at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Charlottesville offers iCSD attendees an inspiring blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. The region played a central role in the founding of the United States and was home to two U.S. presidents—Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe—with their historic residences located just minutes from downtown. Nearby, about an hour away in Orange, Virginia, is the hometown of James Madison, the fourth U.S. president and primary architect of the U.S. Constitution. Thomas Jefferson’s home, Monticello, sits on a mountaintop overlooking the University of Virginia campus; together, Monticello and the University of Virginia are designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites, a rare distinction in the United States. Today, this remarkable history is complemented by a vibrant downtown, celebrated food and wine, and scenic landscapes. To plan your stay and explore all the region has to offer, visit VisitCharlottesville.org, the official guide to Charlottesville and Albemarle County.

ACCOMODATIONS

Mitigation of Relevant Financial Relationships

UVA Health Continuing Education adheres to the Joint Accreditation Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. All individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity, including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others, are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest will be mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.

To view financial disclosures, select the faculty name below. 

 View the Prospectus 
Spaces are limited, so register for your exhibit soon! 

Invitation to Exhibit or Sponsor

On behalf of the University of Virginia School of Medicine and School of Nursing, we are pleased to invite your organization to participate as an exhibitor or sponsor at the 27th International Conference on Spreading Depolarization (iCSD 2026), to be held September 18–22, 2026, in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Hosted by the University of Virginia—just minutes from Charlottesville Albemarle Airport (CHO) and within easy reach of Washington, DC—iCSD 2026 offers a unique opportunity to engage with a highly specialized, international audience at the forefront of neuroscience discovery and clinical translation.

Conference Overview

The International Conference on Spreading Depolarization (iCSD) is a premier multidisciplinary scientific meeting dedicated to advancing understanding of spreading depolarization (SD)—a fundamental neurophysiologic process implicated in a wide range of neurologic conditions, including headache disorders, tumors, stroke, and traumatic brain injury.

The program brings together:

• Preclinical, translational, and clinical researchers

• Neurosurgeons, neurologists, neuro-intensivists, anesthesiologists, and related specialists

• Fellows, residents, and emerging investigators

Through keynote lectures, abstract-driven presentations, and extended panel discussions, iCSD 2026 is intentionally designed to foster cross-disciplinary collaboration, rigorous scientific exchange, and innovation in both research and patient care.

The conference is accredited by UVA Health Continuing Education, a Joint Accreditation Provider, and offers 14 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™, ensuring a highly engaged professional audience committed to lifelong learning and evidence-based practice.

Why Exhibit or Sponsor?

Participation as an exhibitor or sponsor offers your organization meaningful visibility and connection with approximately 80 physician-scientists, clinicians, and researchers working at the leading edge of neuroscience and neurologic care.

Exhibitors benefit from:

• Dedicated exhibit space located near meals, breaks, and high-traffic networking areas

• Direct interaction with faculty, presenters, and learners during non-educational time

• Inclusion in official conference materials, consistent with accreditation standards

All exhibit activities are conducted in accordance with the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education, ensuring a professional, compliant, and scientifically focused environment.

Exhibit and Sponsorship Opportunities

A range of support levels is available to align with your organization’s goals:

Exhibit Levels

• Platinum/Iridium ($10,000 | Max 4): Prime lobby placement, top-tier recognition, large logo placement on conference T-shirt (opt-in), and exhibit table with two chairs

• Gold ($5,000 | Max 8): Preferred exhibit location near meals, medium logo on T-shirt (opt-in), and recognition in program materials

• Silver/Silver Chloride ($3,000 | Max 8): Ground-floor exhibit placement, company name recognition, and exhibit table with two chairs

Each exhibit includes two full conference registrations, with access to educational sessions, meals, and breaks.

Additional Sponsorship Opportunities

• Sponsored Breakfasts

• Refreshment Break Sponsorships

• Non-CME Satellite Symposia (breakfast or lunch options available, space-dependent)

Satellite symposia may be held in conjunction with the conference at the venue, with food coordinated through the University of Virginia. Attendance cannot be guaranteed, and all satellite activities remain non-accredited.

resources

View the Promotion & Exhibit Agreement 

Download the W-9 

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